<p>I don't think I'm going to qualify for FA, so the question I'm asking is, would it be better to apply ED to a one of my high priority competitive schools to increase my chances of acceptance, or apply RD at all of the colleges on my list to see if I get any merit money?</p>
<p>Only apply ED if $ is not important to you and your parents, and your parents have agreed that they are willing to pay the cost of $43,000 (or whatever it is) if you get into your ED college.</p>
<p>Do not guess about this, but sit down with your parents and the info about college costs. If you get in ED, it will be very difficult to back out if your parents suddenly decide that they don't want to pay for the costs of your attending there.</p>
<p>If you use some good estimators, it will be pretty clear whether or not you will qualify for need based aid anywhere. From there, you and you parents need to decide if merit money is an important consideration. If it is, you need to create a list of merit giving schools where you would be in the top 10% to have a good shot of winding up with serious merit money.</p>
<p>Only apply ED if you are absolutely sure that the school is THE school you wish to attend.</p>
<p>So when can someone be pretty sure they qualify for Fin AID?</p>
<p>Does it depend on your parents income?</p>
<p>^ yes it entirely depends on your parents income + their assets (liquid+real estate). This site has fin aid calculator and I would strongly urge you to use it to get an idea. In addition, have an open and honest talk with your parents and learn about their willingness to fund your education. Your parents refusal to pay does not qualify you for a fin aid. You can search this site and find many kids literally crying during the month of April because they did get in to very high powered schools, but now their parents are refusing to bridge the gap.</p>
<p>There is a financial aid calculator on this forum that you can run to get some idea as to whether you are eligible for aid. However, if you are in the market for the very selective schools, you may also be eligible for some grants. If this is any option you want to pursue, applying ED to school and getting locked in by December may not be your best option. There are some great merit awards out there for kids with the academic stats and resume to qualify.</p>