<p>Northwestern (used to, whether they still do or not I don’t know) guarantee to meet financial need with loans only to the student. In my mind you only apply to a school ED if you know you will attend if you get accepted and you can afford it. If receiving financial aid is a requirement for attending the school then I would not consider ED. If accepted you must withdraw your other applications. If you consider their financial aid award inadequate you may withdraw from your agreement, however, you may have eliminated all but rolling admissions schools from your college search. If after running their NPC (they use the CSS profile so there is a lot more information they will require and they will consider many more things to calculate your EFC than does the FAFSA) you feel you can meet the financial obligations then consider ED if the school is the only one you which to consider.</p>