No financial aid helps acceptance?

this may be a dumb question so please don’t snap on me but does not applying for any financial aid increase my chances (i know its not a major factor by any means)

It doesn’t. That’s what need-blind admissions means

it does help if you are international. Penn does not have a need blind policy for international students.

^^Yep that’s true. But only if you are an international CITIZEN. Penn is need blind for international students having US Citizenship