@scotlandcalling I asked several colleges this question. I was primarily concerned with doomsday economic scenarios and a change in family financial circumstances. Yes, you can still apply for parent and student loans if your situation changes even if you don’t “check the box.” We didn’t apply for financial aid. My daughter’s college will also let you apply for institutional aid (grants and the like) after two years. Some colleges allow after one year and other colleges will never let you apply for institutional aid. Each college has its own rules. However, loans can be done at any time in the process. In fact, even after admission, we were emailed by the financial aid office making sure we didn’t want to apply for financing or need any assistance.