<p>Not sure about these...should I mark "financial aid request" for schools? Particularly schools that are reach/dream for me? Or does it not affect my decision at all?</p>
<p>I guess this question also should apply to "safe" or "match" schools.</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>any school that is need-blind won’t consider your admission in light of your financial aid status. This is true for the vast majority of schools, although off the top of my head NYU is not need-blind (but is very expensive). In other words, if your family will need financial aid, apply for it. Especially for safety schools, which aren’t considered safeties if they won’t be affordable for you.</p>
<p>thanks - ill go ahead and make sure i mark em up!</p>
<p>thanks a bunch! btw, is there a defnite list of “need blind” schools i can look at?</p>
<p>you can safely assume that every school you apply to will be need-blind, but if you’re unsure you can contact the financial aid or post on their school forum here.</p>
<p>cool.
I suppose that I will automatically be considered for merit scholarships, or should I do the federal application for student aid?
(Sorry if these are noob questions ><)</p>
<p>Yes you should process the FAFSA. As for scholarships, see each schools’ fin aid pages and see what they say</p>
<p>Most places are need blind. Also, most places don’t meet student need. Be sure to run the Net Price Calculators at the college and university websites so that you get an idea of what each place is likely to cost you.</p>
<p>Some colleges where need will hurt admission:
[Colleges</a> Where Need for Aid Can Hurt Admission Odds - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/education/articles/2010/03/23/colleges-where-need-for-aid-can-hurt-admission-odds]Colleges”>http://www.usnews.com/education/articles/2010/03/23/colleges-where-need-for-aid-can-hurt-admission-odds)
The degree to which need awareness affects admission varies by college. For instance Reed only becomes need aware at the bottom of its acceptance pool (when the $ get tight).</p>
<p>“off the top of my head NYU is not need-blind (but is very expensive)”</p>
<p>NYU is indeed need-bind but generally doesn’t meet full need (like most schools). A few students NYU wants the most get some merit money which can bridge the gap, but this seems to be relative rare.</p>
<p>The beauty of applying to need-aware/meets-full-need schools is that you know you’ll be able to afford it if the school’s net price calculator says you can pay your EFC.</p>
<p>But it seems that if you need aid you need aid, so what good does it do to NOT check the box? It could get you admitted to a need-aware school if you’re on the cusp, but then you couldn’t afford it.</p>
<p>What sense is there in being accepted at a college if you can’t afford to attend? If you need financial aid, you need to let the school know. </p>
<p>Some schools require filling out FAFSA or CSS profile for people who are applying for merit scholarships, even though the scholarships are not based on financial need. Some schools require their own financial aid forms in addition to the federal form. The individual schools can give you that information.</p>
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<p>Yes, exactly!</p>
<p>good information - ill fill in fafsa and css profile soon!</p>