What happens if you apply ED but do not receive sufficient financial aid?

If you got accepted, would it be ok to inform the school and explain your circumstance? My college counselor said that this is the ONE circumstance where an ED commitment can be broken, however I’ve heard its more complicated than that.

You just say thanks but no thanks and apply elsewhere. Run the Net Price Calculator before applying to see if it’s worth the effort. Apply ED only to your first choice school.

It is more complicated partly due to the stress it causes. You may appeal the FA offer, but they may not change it, and you are under deadline to confirm if the offer is workable. It is very stressful to turn down an acceptance in this situation.

Don’t apply ED if the net price calculator doesn’t look workable. Or if you want to compare offers.

Thanks for your response. Do you mean stressful on the part of the applicant (I don’t think I’d have trouble turning down a tuition that would financially cripple my family haha), or stressful on the part of the university’s admission officers?

I’m sure they mean stressful on the part of the applicant.