<p>I know Need-Blind means considering applicants without regard to financial aid, provided one is a U.S. citizen. But on the Commonapp under Future Plan it asks whether I want to apply for need-based aid? What does that mean? I thought Columbia is need-based only for non-U.S. citizens. Should I check the box if I want need-blind aid?</p>
<p>I think it is need-blind admissions (they don’t consider whether you can pay the bill when they are considering admitting you) and need-based financial aid (you will need $$ to be able to attend and you will be applying for financial aid).</p>
<p>Need-based aid means that you plan to apply for financial aid. Columbia is need-blind in that they do not consider your ability to pay when they make their admission decision. Need-based aid just means that you will need help paying for college. Need-blind applies to anyone who applies to the school.</p>
<p>They’ll give you financial aid if you get in, but the admissions committee won’t know that you need financial aid when they’re deciding whether or not to admit you.</p>
<p>Need-based aid means that the money they give you is based on your financial circumstances (i.e. how much you need) as opposed to getting merit-based aid which would be based on scholastic ability etc.</p>
<p>Need-blind means that they don’t look at how much you can pay when they are admitting you.</p>
<p>I believe columbia is need-blind for US citizens/residents but need-aware for internationals…meaning they do factor in how much you will need for international students. They however do give need-based aid for both US and non-US citizens/residents.</p>
<p>You can’t choose need-blind…thats a schools policy…some are need blind for internationals some arent.</p>
<p>Choosing need-based aid means you want to apply for financial aid(i.e you anticipate you will not be able to pay the tuition without the school offering you financial assistance). Need based aid usually means the school will give you whatever money you need to pay tuition…basically you pay what they think you can and they cover the rest.</p>
<p>It may be harder to get in being an international needing a lot of financial aid, because columbia is not need-blind for non US citizens/residents…but if you need financial aid it would make sense to check it. </p>
<p>Here is a good link from the Columbia website about international financial aid</p>
<p>[International</a> Financial Aid | Columbia University Office of Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/admissions/international/finaid.php]International”>http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/admissions/international/finaid.php)</p>
<p>Thank you all for your explicit replies. Much appreciated.</p>