<p>When you list where you want your FAFSA numbers sent, do all the schools on your list see each other's names?</p>
<p>I ask this, because I've heard that schools weigh their financial aid offer against the schools on your FAFSA. History gives them an idea of what their competitors will offer, and they raise/lower theirs accordingly.</p>
<p>Any truth to this?</p>
<p>Yep. The other financial aid offices will see the schools you applied to. I have seen first hand the competitive effects of this. It does not happen in all cases, but it will in some.</p>
<p>Would you consider elaborating on that point for someone who is just beginning the process and doesn't completely understand?</p>
<p>When a school downloads the FAFSA information, they will see the other schools that you have applied to. A competent FAO will have an good understanding of the typical FA awards given by other schools. This can have an upward or downward pressure on the award from that school. If they want you and you've applied to other historically generous schools, then they know they may have to sweeten the award to get you. If they see that they are the only game in town, they will have no incentive to generate a competitive award.</p>
<p>scottaa, Isn't it true that a school would not see all of the schools that you applied to if there are more than 6 schools? I assume that they would know if there are more than 6, and more than 12 by the # of SARs. They would only see 5 other schools on the same report that they are on.</p>
<p>If this is accurate, couldn't this lead to a nice financial package?</p>
<p>Correct. That's my understanding.</p>
<p>I agree with Scottaa that this is what happens.</p>
<p>An admissions director from a well-known LAC told me this at a college fair last year.</p>
<p>And beyond the implications for financial aid, this knowledge enables colleges to figure out if they're a safety school or not.</p>
<p>But aren't the financial aid office and admissions office two different departments? So the chances would be slim for an FA to tell an Adcom that they're a safety school, right?</p>
<p>Depends upon the school. Besides, the FAO may decide not to commit funds if they think they are low priority to a student.</p>
<p>Hmm, that can lead to some very interesting conclusions based on the differing sets of college on the 2 FAFSA versions. Maybe a little advantage to the 6-college only rule. </p>
<p>I prioritized colleges in order of financial aid deadlines - making sure that the ones with the earliest deadlines went out first. That also produced a list of the colleges with the most prestige and most rigorous academics. So the folks at Barnard can see that d. has also applied to U. of Chicago, also to Brown but notably not Columbia, and is using Fordham as a safety. Looks like one very serious-minded kid with high aspirations. </p>
<p>On the other hand, with the second set, the folks over at NYU will see right off the bat that they must be the kid's top choice, arrayed against 4 public state U's. Will NYU throw in a little more $$ into the coffers to attract a California kid who might opt for Berkeley after the costs are factored in? </p>
<p>I suppose that there's an art to this -- though as noted, I looked no farther then the colleges own deadlines.</p>
<p>Calmom</p>
<p>I did exactly what you did!</p>