<p>Still, the Ivies have better financial aid than do most colleges. If the OP wants to get the best financial aid possible, the OP should not apply ED. If the OP has the stats to realistically apply to Ivies, the OP has the stats to get excellent merit aid from schools offering that aid --aid that would be better than the need-based aid that virtually any other college would offer. </p>
<p>So…if finances are a consideration, do NOT apply ED. Keep your options open and apply RD and EA including to schools where you’d have a great shot at excellent merit aid.</p>