<p>I questioned an admissions officer why JHU asks if the candidate is applying for financial aid if the admissions process is need blind. He answered that ED and RD are need blind, but that a wait-listed candidate will not be considered if he/she is applying for financial aid.</p>
<p>This says that a JHU wait-list slot is effectively a rejection unless you can pay the full shot. I should also have asked if a wait-listed applicant is given the opportunity to withdraw his/her aid application in case they are willing to go deeper into hock in order to attend JHU, but do not have that answer</p>
<p>Actually, the only reason we ask on the application why a student is applying for financial aid -- is so that we can let the financial aid office know that the student MIGHT apply for financial aid. The financial aid office will then let the applicant know about setting up an ISIS account and the financial aid deadlines. Anyone can check Yes to that question and it means nothing. To be a financial aid applicant, is to file a financial aid application.</p>
<p>As far as the Wait List, it is not Need Blind and almost every Wait List in this country is not need blind. Almost all schools use their entire financial aid budgets to admit their class, and very few come in under budget. Therefore, if a school goes to the wait list they typically do not have full financial aid budgets to offer to students. </p>
<p>Every year this will vary. It will vary if a school goes to their wait list (JHU has not in three years) and it will vary if a school does go to the wait list how much aid will be available. </p>
<p>If you are wait listed at a school, you should contact them directly to learn about the process and the options.</p>
<p>And as far as your last question, no a student can not withdraw their financial aid application if they are placed on the wait list.</p>