<p>On the common app, there's a place to say that you'll be applying for financial aid. With this economic recession, are those people at a disadvantage? I know colleges say that they are need-blind or whatever (minus internationals) but is this really the truth? They need money more than ever...</p>
<p>I'm guessing that my parents make about $200k and they own a lot of property. I could get some aid, but it wouldn't be anything huge. So on the three applications I've already submitted, I said that I wasn't applying for financial aid. I was scared it would hurt my chances. :(</p>
<p>Can someone really convince me admissions people are totally need-blind in the admissions process?</p>
<p>I'm paranoid.</p>
<p>Not all colleges are need blind only the ones that "claim" they are.</p>
<p>Just marking the financial aid box on the app is not going to make a difference. Even among need aware schools, there is a heck of a difference between needing $5K and needing $50K to go there. Kids also do not qualify for financial aid, but want the Stafford loan or other loan options that are not need based but have to apply for fin aid to be eligible. The same with some schools and merit money. So just filling out that box is not going to hurt you at all. It just puts you on the fin aid office radar which means you will get reminders on when FAFSA is due and other fin aid news that those who are not applying for aid may not be getting.</p>