<p>If I applied early decision to UPenn, would all my need be met? I have no idea what my expected family contribution will be yet.. but doesn't penn meet all need?</p>
<p>yeah...but they determine your need.</p>
<p>What a university determines as meeting all need is likely much different than what your family would define as meeting all need. So, I would look into your financial situation carefully before applying ED to any university. Use a couple financial aid calculators and see if your family finds the results acceptable.</p>
<p>When schools they say give enough financial aid to meet all of your need, there's a bit of a loophole there. Financial aid can come in the form of grants or loans... So technically, a school could say they've met all your need, and give you your entire financial aid package in loans. Of course that situation is a bit exaggerated, but having an aid package stuffed with loans isn't much of a help at all.</p>
<p>With that said, I'm not sure how Penn is with financial aid. Some schools (like Princeton) strive to meet 100% of need with grants. And as someone else said, Penn also uses other things (like the College Board PROFILE and their own financial aid forms) to determine your need. </p>
<p>If finances are something you really have to worry about upon going to college, then I don't suggest applying ED. That was one reason I chose to apply RD to all of my schools.</p>
<p>As I mentioned to you in your other post, Penn will look at the income and the assets of both your parents, regardless of their marital status and regardless of what your father says he wants or doesn't want to pay. Based on this information, they will give you an EFC which will include summer earning on your part. </p>
<p>Cost of attendance - EFC = demonstrated need.</p>
<p>They will meet 100% of your demonstrated need with a combination of grants, loans and work study.</p>
<p>Since you have a stiuation where you already state that your father is unwilling to pay for your education, it would not be in your best interest for you to apply ED only to end up committed to a school that is not a financially feasible option for your family.</p>