<p>I'm asking this question on behalf of a friend who isn't on CC.</p>
<p>He's well aware that one should withdraw applications after an early decision acceptance. However, in the event that he does not like the financial aid package, can he still keep his other applications?</p>
<p>For instance, let's say hypothetically that he applies to Dartmouth and some other non-restrictive early action. He gets accepted into Dartmouth, but doesn't like the aid. After a couple weeks he decides to accept the offer anyways after discussing it with family. At this time he starts withdrawing his applications from other institutions.</p>
<p>Will his acceptance get rescinded because he was 2 weeks late? </p>
<p>Btw, he's a junior in high school and isn't applying until next year. But because of his financial situation he's not sure whether to apply to Early Decision because he wants some time to discuss the aid with his family.</p>
<p>No, he cannot. The premise of Early decision is that in exchange for an early decision if admitted, he will attend. At some schools, if a student is accepted ED, their college process stops (with the exception of rolling admissions at your local state university, no more transcripts or recommendations are sent until the student withdraws from ED). If there is a problem with the financial aid, he needs to address them now. The Dartmouth financial aid staff is very amenable to hearing from his parents regarding questions about his financial aid package. IF he does submit his intent to enroll by the deadline at the end of the month, Dartmouth will not hold his spot. Dartmouth also has a strict honor code that they take very seriously so he does not want to start his college career being less than above board.</p>
<p>IF he wants time to discuss the aid with his family, he should sit with his family and run his numbers through the Dartmouth’s net price calculator. Right then and there his parents will see the numbers and start discussing if Dartmouth is a financially feasible option for their family. If he wants to compare financial aid packages, then he needs to apply RD.</p>
<p>But let’s say that this all occurs before the deadline.</p>
<p>For example, from the forums I know that for this year the letters came out on the 6th and you have to respond by the 21st.</p>
<p>If he decides to enroll today after discussing financial aid, for instance, and starts to withdraw his applications, will his application get rescinded if he withdraws them 11 days late, even though it’s before the 21st deadline?</p>
<p>There is an escape clause in Early Decision agreements that enables the student to bow out if the financial aid package is not good enough. Financial Aid estimators are not always reliable predictors of financial aid, so the decision doesn’t have to be made based upon those results.</p>
<p>Of course, if an applicant gets in some place early decision and doesn’t like the financial aid offer, that person should immediately contact the financial aid department to see if they can do better. A school like Dartmouth will certainly listen and likely negotiate, especially with someone accepted early decision (which means that they really think you’re exceptional).</p>
<p>From Dartmouth’s Early Decision / Common App agreement:</p>
<p>“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>“If you are an Early Decision candidate and are seeking financial aid, you need not withdraw other
applications until you have received notification about financial aid from the admitting Early Decision institution.”</p>