Is there any downside to applying for aid even if you think you won't qualify?

Paying for College
1

<p>I was inclined to forgo the CSS and FAFSA because I am fairly certain I won't qualify due to income, etc. However, I'm told by some that I should apply anyway because circumstances can change in a year or two. I also wonder whether an applicant has a better chance of getting accepted if they indicate they are not applying for aid. "Need blind" apparently isn't always completely need-blind. </p>

2

<p>Are you a U.S. citizen, or international? At some schools, international,students MUST apply for aid as incoming freshmen, or cannot do so in subsequent years.</p>

<p>Are you positive your family can afford to pay the full cost for you to attend college? Would you want to take out a Direct Loan (must complete the FAFSA to do so).</p>

<p>Also a lot depends on your colleges. Some very generous schools award need based aid to earners up to $180,000 a year. </p>

<p>Very hard to answer your question. If a school is need blind for admissions, it means the admissions folks will not see your financial aid application materials when they review your application. They will not know your financial need. Can they figure out if you actually will require aid from your application? Sure. If your dad is Warren Buffet, it would be easy to figure out that you won’t be needing aid!</p>

3

<p>Also, some schools (including some highly-ranked ones) are need-aware.</p>

4

<p>You can call the financial aid depts of the schools on your list and find out if they have any policies restricting aid or having a sit out period if you do not apply for aid as a freshman. I’ve known some need aware schools that do operate that way. </p>

<p>Yes, it is possible a school that claims to be need blind in admissions is not. GWU showed that very clearly. If you really don’t want to take that risk, then don’t. But that means foregoing financial aid for which you may qualify, at least for freshman year, and possibly for some schools future years. You do have to ask the schools to find out what current policies are in this area. </p>

5

<p>If the college/university has a need-sensitive admissions policy and you apply for aid, but the college/university determines that you don’t need any aid, you won’t get any aid. Applying for aid that you don’t turn out to need won’t be a reason for rejection. If you are rejected it will be for other reasons. </p>