Need-Blind and "Low-income" Plus Factor

[ucbalumnus]

@hs2020dad

There are many aspects of the application which can suggest the applicant’s family SES range and other advantage/disadvantage attributes, even though they may not be enough to calculate financial aid by the college’s methodology.

The problem with colleges trying to asses the low/high income from other factors is that - they are prone to be subjective and can be erroneous: some of summer research programs are pricey but some are free. Are applicants advised to highlight if a program is free vs fee-based ?

The most disadvantaged are the least likely to even know about such summer programs, and their most likely summer activity is probably working for pay to help support family (or looking for work since some may live in economically depressed areas where jobs are scarce).