I agree GCs should not be flagging students as low income without express request of student. The GC often does not know and it is invasive. This is why schools keep an arms length away from financial aid issues.
However, GCs CAN let everyone know about programs like QB, can give general fin aid issues, and offer to corroborate information if the student feels that s/he has had challenges that might give cast the application into a more favorable light.
It’s not all schools, in fact hardly Any schools, where this is relevant, but for some students, it’s a major hook.
I knew a young girl who was going to a private school on scholarship who had a difficult back history. The GC was told quite a bit of the background by child and parent. The LOR was tailored for this info
I agree that most GCs do not have time for this sort of stuff. They can only send out general missives, remind Students to include any info they want included in LOR, give examples of some relevant issues, list programs that might be beneficial, financial aid reminders.
However, I’ve seen kids at schools where there there are college counselors assigned for the process and they still miss some major steps that should be obvious.
Yes, many highly selective schools do flag very low income student which does invalidate need blind admissions.