I heard that not applying for FA during the admission process will be taken by colleges as “not serious”. Is this true?
No. At some schools where they are need aware in admissions it might even help.
No, some people go to college full pay. It certainly is not a disadvantage and as noted above it can be an advantage at need aware colleges.
Now that’s one bizarre rumor!
It’s absurd on its face. Many families do not qualify for Fin Aid – they won’t bother applying for it.
Some colleges require that applicants who receive merit aid also apply for financial aid even if they are not eligible.
My D is planning to apply after she is admitted. But she applied to some school EA, and her HS college counselor tells her that the colleges will not take her application seriously, even if she does apply before the deadline!
I’m not sure I understand the counselor’s reasoning. Maybe this is something she says to students as a way of avoiding the “how much money does your family have” conversation.
If your daughter is going to apply for financial aid after she is admitted, does that mean you are relying on financial aid to fund part of her college costs? If so, it’s probably better that she apply now so you know what you can afford when the acceptances come (and can maybe negotiate based on better offers from different schools). If you don’t think you will need financial aid, then submitting your financial bona-fides early will let colleges know that you’re a potential full-pay family…which, as others have said will help at some schools.
You should not say that you will not apply for financial aid on the application and then go ahead and apply later. Honesty upfront always is the best policy. No sense getting into a bunch of schools that will ultimately be unaffordable.