Financial Need -- Does It Impact Admission?

Paying for College
1

<p>Been reading many of the posts and understand that there is ongoing discussion about whether colleges that state they are "need blind" are really just that. If a family does indeed have financial need for whatever the reason -- divorced parents, extremely low income, little assets -- do Admissions Committees review this information as part of their admissions process regardless of whether the school states they are need blind? </p>

<p>What happens in a situation whereby the student has applied for early action and the school does not have any financial aid requirements other than the FAFSA and their admissions decision may be made before the FAFSA is completed? Do they <em>then</em> offer financial aid? Or can they then change their minds about offering admission once they review the FAFSA?</p>

<p>I read that Admissions Committees look more favorably on applicants whose families <em>can</em> pay the tuition even before financial aid is decided. I've also read that it matters little about the family's income/assets and committees are looking at the student; i.e. grades, etc. Can any CC members shed some light on this? Thanks.</p>

2

<p>There are no schools that I know of that require FAFSA only and meet full need.</p>

3

<p>Truthfully we wont ever know. Most schools try to be “need blind” but the truth is some schools give you a +1 if you can self pay.</p>

4

<p>To a large extent you have to take the college’s word for it. “Need blind” is a great advertising message. </p>

<p>Colleges that are need blind may not necessarily meet full need. They can also choose to not be need blind for certain groups (i.e. internationals and transfers). </p>

<p>Colleges that use the common app know the parents’ occupations and education levels. They know where the applicant lives and where the student goes to school. In theory, they could use this information to estimate financial need. They could also make assumptions if the student spent her summer vacation on community service trips to exotic locals, or working at McDonalds. </p>

<p>Financial aid awards don’t always come in the acceptance letter. In my experience, the need blind school’s financial aid package came in a sealed envelope, which was enclosed in my acceptance packet. I assume that the admissions committee had no clue what my financial aid package was when they accepted me.</p>