<p>I was wondering if there is a much higher chance of getting into a top school if you don't request any financial aid. The school would probably rather accept someone who can fully afford the school right? Does requesting financial aid really hurt your chances?</p>
<p>At a school that is “need blind,” your finances are not considered.</p>
<p>At schools that aren’t need blind, you do have a better shot if you don’t need aid.</p>
<p>Most top schools are need blind.</p>
<p>“Does requesting financial aid really hurt your chances?” </p>
<p>“Theoretically speaking” not at colleges that are
1] need blind and
2] have very large endowments</p>
<p>But, all colleges that say they are “need blind” do have limits to how much “Financial Aid” they can or are willing to contribute. </p>
<p>And very few colleges have the ability to provide FA strictly through grants alone[ scholarships] , instead a combination of grants and loans or loans alone, which MUST be paid back. Students need to think long and hard about going into debt, in order to go to a certain college. </p>
<p>The reality is, if you need money from an outside source, you cant afford NOT to request FA if you cant pay for college without it.</p>