<p>The majority of colleges are need blind for US citizens/ Permanent residents so checking or not checking the box will not make a bit of difference. Even for schools that are need aware/need sensitive, this comes in to play as schools are close to exhausting their financial aid budget.</p>
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<p>This is the best advice to take if you need $$ to make college happen to not get money. Many schools have strict guidelines where if you don’t apply on time, you won’t get aid so make sure that you make the deadlines. Since most schools are not as flush as Harvard, if you apply late, you most likely will end up getting less "free money in grants and scholarships because that money will be gone. In addition, there is aid that is given on a first come first served basis; FWS, SEOG, perkins loans.</p>