<p>I applied RD for Fall 2012 because I live a long ways from DC and I’m not sure I’d be able to afford American University, but I’m worried that it makes it look like I’m not interested in the school. AU is definitely my first choice IF I CAN AFFORD IT. Is there a way to decline the Early Decision if it turns out I would not be able to afford it? I thought I had heard of something like that before, but wanted to get some feedback. If it were Early Action I definitely would have gone for it, but I didn’t like the commitment of DECISION without getting an FA package.</p>
<p>I just read the 2012 Early Decision Agreement sent to me by AU and it says:
“Should a student who applies for financial aid not be offered an award that makes attendance possible, the student may decline the offer of admission and be released from the Early Decision commitment.”</p>
<p>So I guess if I can’t afford it, which would be a shame as an awesome school, then I will have to decline if given admission.</p>
<p>Almost all schools allow you to back out of your early decision agreement in the event you cannot afford the school after receiving your financial aid award.</p>
<p>I’ve heard that a school’s determination of adequate financial aid can vary vastly from a student’s reality… is the ambiguity in the legal text enough of a safeguard against this possible bind?</p>
<p>^^ Almost all schools? Has anyone heard of a single school that compels attendance in such a case? Do they then expel the student when the bill cannot be paid, and suffer the bad publicity?</p>
<p>^ There are no legal issues, no contract. ED is an honor system agreement. If the offer is insufficient (the family’s decision) you decline it.</p>