<p>I guess the recent NYT article about Reed dropping some fin. aid admits makes Reed a need-aware school. I keep hearing this phrase, but other than Tufts and Bowdoin, which have made similar moves, is there a list somewhere of need aware schools? I haven't been able to find one, or find many schools that admit to it. Being in the position of just over FAFSA 0%, it would be nice to get some benefit out of paying full fare.</p>
<p>Carleton is “need-aware.” My understanding is that what they do is admit about 90% of the class need-blind, then calculate where they are in terms of FA still available and admit the remaining 10% taking into consideration the need level of the students. So if you are a high admit for them, it isn’t a factor. If you are on the cusp, it becomes a factor.</p>
<p>I don’t know how this may have changed in the last year.</p>
<p>In any case, being able to pay apparently only helps you if you are in that marginal group. Or, of course, if you are so rich that you are a development admit.</p>
<p>Most schools are need-aware because the vast majority of schools don’t have the budget to be need-blind and still give reasonable financial aid.</p>
<p>I don’t know if a list exists mainly because many colleges are
reluctant to admit their “need aware” but if you’re thinking LACs
outside of a bunch at the very top of the list, Williams, Swat,
Amherst, Pomona and a few suspects, Vassar, Middlebury, Wesleyan,
Wellesley and Haverford the rest will all respect your ability to pay full
freight. Places like Bucknell, Trinity, Bates, Colby, Colorado College,
Lafayette, Dickinson, Hamilton, Fand M, Oberlin, MaCalester, kenyon
Carleton, Skidmore etc are all need aware. You may even get some merit money
from some of these schools if the apps stats are high enough. But
as you go down the list, the schools practice price discounting. Places
like Denison, Gettysburg, Union, Depauw, Wooster, etc will discount to
gain your business. And these days probably a lot more. It’s a great
time to be a full paying customer.</p>
<p>Don’t confuse need blind and meeting 100% of need. Many schools are need blind but don’t meet need. Then there are need aware schools that will meet the need of everyone accepted and need aware schools that don’t. </p>
<p>College Board and many guides list the average percent of need met at different schools. That’s probably the most important data for most.</p>
<p>I’m not sure what the op means by “fafsa 0%” You can be ineligible
for pell grants etc and still get lots of institutional aid. Some colleges
will still give aid to families with incomes over $100,000</p>