<p>I'm applying to the University of Michigan, which i'm not even sure is need-blind. A mandatory question asks if you request financial aid, and i said yes. Then, an optional question asks for family income (mine would be the option that says 'between 50,000 and 74,999') and the following asks how many depend on that income. As a student applying OOS, would it be wise to leave this question blank? </p>
<p>UMich does not currently meet full need for all OOS students applying for need based aid.
According to their website, they are need blind for admission.</p>
<p>Regardless…I would suggest you answer the question honestly. It is what it is. </p>
<p>It does no good to be admitted to a U and then not get enough finaid to be able to afford it, unless you’re just looking to be able to say you were admitted. You might as well be up front about it. Pretty much I think all publics are need-blind for admissions but few guarantee to meet all need, very, very few for OOS.</p>
<p>She can answer it honestly either way - she says it’s an optional question. I would leave it blank.</p>
<p>@keesh17 That’s what i was thinking. i wouldn’t lie by leaving it blank. but i didnt want leaving it blank to give the impression that i’m in dire poverty and seriously need aid. so i might just answer it.</p>
<p>i just didn’t want my answer to affect admission. According to their website from what you guys said above, it doesnt.
I most likely won’t end up at Michigan, but getting accepted would be nice. 
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<p>Why would you want to waste your parent money applying to a school that is not a financially feasible option for your family, just to be able to to say it was nice being accepted? Wouldn’t it be nicer to spend the money to go accepted to a school that your family can afford?</p>
<p>@sybbie719
I’m not even sure if we can or can’t afford it yet. I’m applying for many outside scholarships (which of course i have to actually win before i factor that in) and i’d like to actually see the financial aid package before i rule any school out. My sibling went to an OOS public and got great aid. The same might not be true for me, but I’d like to find out.</p>
<p>Most of the schools I’m applying to will give me full aid. The problem is just getting in, haha.</p>
<p>UMich is not a school that will guarantee to meet your full need as an OOS student. </p>
<p>Where did your sister go? Maybe you should apply there.</p>
<p>My brother went to UVA, my sister went to Notre Dame. ND is a private and gives great aid, but surprisingly for us, UVA was very affordable. Not sure if there’s some different policies between UVA and UMich anyway. I’ve already applied to UVA, and I’m applying to ND regular decision.</p>
<p>I have a fee waiver and the Mich application is pretty complete. I figured I’d just send it.</p>
<p>UVA is one of only two public universities in the country that guarantees to meet full need for all accepted students,including OOS students. The other is UNC-CH. If you are applying to SNY other public university, there is no guarantee that your full need will be met…it likely will not be.</p>
<p>Do you have very strong stats…your siblings likely did? Other threads indicate you are applying early to Harvard, and to a couple of public universities EA. </p>
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<p>Keep in mind that the majority of outside scholarships are only for one year. At many schools, outside scholarships will reduce your self help aid (federal loans and work study), then they reduce the institutional aid. When looking for outside scholarships, you must get one of the few that will cover you for 4 years</p>
<p>What is the big appeal of UMich? DO they offer something so unique that UVA or Notre Dame does not have? Your siblings both attend schools that meet 100% demonstrated need, where both you and them will receive even better aid, if you were to attend (provided that they have not yet graduated).
While you may benefit on the FAFSA for having 3 kids in school at the same time, it will not necessarily increase your at Mich, it would just increase the gap in aid because you would have a lower EFC and need even more aid.</p>
<p>Agree with Sybbie. Also with Michigan you will either be accepted or deferred right before Christmas but you won’t get your total financial aid picture until spring. i sincerely hope you have some financial safety colleges on that list. Michigan does not practice affirmative action, does not meet need for out of state kids and does not send all the financial aid awards with the EA acceptance. Apply if you want, but it sounds like it will be a big financial stretch. If you are a strong candidate, which it sounds like you might be hopefully you are targeting schools that meet 100% need…not schools that are need-blind. You’ll just end up potentially with an acceptance to a college you can’t afford which is useless.</p>
<p>I would answer that question because it is possible that Admissions has some merit awards with some weight given to students from lower income families. UM is need blind in admissions, so it won’t affect the admissions decision. </p>
<p>Go on a head and apply. Maybe you’ll get lucky as your sibling did. Be aware what posters here are telling you, and make sure you include schools that are likely to accept you and that you’ll be abel to afford. </p>
<p>I sent in the app yesterday, and reported my income in the optional question. The app was already done, and free, so I felt no need to not apply. </p>
<p>The outside scholarships I’m applying to are major 4 year scholarships. My sister won the Gates Millenium and my brother won another major one, if that gives you more info.</p>
<p>Good luck with UofM, it’s a reach for everyone and slightly quixotic with acceptances for OSS kids, but do not forget to apply to at least one college you are willing to attend where you know the finances will work out and you are certain of admissions. That advice stands for everyone, every single student who desires to go to college - regardless of their personal history and family financial status. </p>
<p>Will your brother and sister both be in. Ollege when youstart school in the fall.</p>
<p>@sybbie719 Just my sister.</p>
<p>@momofthreeboys thank you very much for your guidance. I do have one such school on my list. And thank you to everyone else who answered!</p>