Financial Aid consideration - check yes or no?

[Anonymous]

How do you find out if a school is need aware or how they consider financial aid in admissions? Is it in the CDS or do you just have to poke around websites or call and ask? We likely won’t qualify for need-based aid but would need merit aid for some schools to consider attending and some schools (in-state publics) we can afford outright so don’t need to check that box.

[Anonymous]

We said not applying for financial aid on Common app because we knew we would not qualify. I checked the websites of the schools to make sure they would not need a FAFSA for merit and none said they did.

Just be aware, some schools will send you a bunch of emails reminding you to apply for FA or double checking that you really meant to not apply, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do you find out if a school is need aware or how they consider financial aid in admissions? Is it in the CDS or do you just have to poke around websites or call and ask? We likely won’t qualify for need-based aid but would need merit aid for some schools to consider attending and some schools (in-state publics) we can afford outright so don’t need to check that box.

It's in the common data set where you see what factors are considered in admissions (e.g., class rigor, recommendation letters). If need aware they will usually check "somewhat considered" or whatever the low-mid level is for something worded like ability to pay or financial aid eligibilit-can't remember exactly. If need-blind they will check not considered for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you find out if a school is need aware or how they consider financial aid in admissions? Is it in the CDS or do you just have to poke around websites or call and ask? We likely won’t qualify for need-based aid but would need merit aid for some schools to consider attending and some schools (in-state publics) we can afford outright so don’t need to check that box.

It's in the common data set where you see what factors are considered in admissions (e.g., class rigor, recommendation letters). If need aware they will usually check "somewhat considered" or whatever the low-mid level is for something worded like ability to pay or financial aid eligibility-can't remember exactly. If need-blind they will check not considered for that.

Thanks for replying, but I don't see it there in the CDS. Here's the list of factors I see:

Academic
Rigor of secondary school record
Class rank
Academic GPA
Standardized test scores
Application Essay
Recommendation(s)

Nonacademic
Interview
Extracurricular activities
Talent/ability
Character/personal qualities
First generation
Alumni/ae relation
Geographical residence
State residency
Religious affiliation/commitment
Racial/ethnic status
Volunteer work
Work experience
Level of applicant’s interest

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't overlook the PP's comment about if you may need aid later. Some folks have tried to game admissions to competitive schools by dumping all the money they have saved into covering the first year, then applying for aid starting sophomore year. Schools don't like that and some no longer provide aid when families do so.

Better to apply to a LAC with a rep of giving out robust merit aid, than end up out or deep in loans for the remaining three years.

I understand and agree that the family trying to game admissions like that shouldn’t get FA starting sophomore year. How about unfortunate financial situations like significant income reduction due to job loss/parents health issues and needing FA later on? If a student did not check yes to FA consideration on common app, would colleges provide aid for the student?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't overlook the PP's comment about if you may need aid later. Some folks have tried to game admissions to competitive schools by dumping all the money they have saved into covering the first year, then applying for aid starting sophomore year. Schools don't like that and some no longer provide aid when families do so.

Better to apply to a LAC with a rep of giving out robust merit aid, than end up out or deep in loans for the remaining three years.

I understand and agree that the family trying to game admissions like that shouldn’t get FA starting sophomore year. How about unfortunate financial situations like significant income reduction due to job loss/parents health issues and needing FA later on? If a student did not check yes to FA consideration on common app, would colleges provide aid for the student?

Many schools would allow it if there is an actual hardship (death, illness, etc). I think you would have to petition and explain and probably provide documentation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you find out if a school is need aware or how they consider financial aid in admissions? Is it in the CDS or do you just have to poke around websites or call and ask? We likely won’t qualify for need-based aid but would need merit aid for some schools to consider attending and some schools (in-state publics) we can afford outright so don’t need to check that box.

It's in the common data set where you see what factors are considered in admissions (e.g., class rigor, recommendation letters). If need aware they will usually check "somewhat considered" or whatever the low-mid level is for something worded like ability to pay or financial aid eligibility-can't remember exactly. If need-blind they will check not considered for that.

Thanks for replying, but I don't see it there in the CDS. Here's the list of factors I see:

Academic
Rigor of secondary school record
Class rank
Academic GPA
Standardized test scores
Application Essay
Recommendation(s)

Nonacademic
Interview
Extracurricular activities
Talent/ability
Character/personal qualities
First generation
Alumni/ae relation
Geographical residence
State residency
Religious affiliation/commitment
Racial/ethnic status
Volunteer work
Work experience
Level of applicant’s interest

Sorry I was going on memory and obviously I remembered wrong--or they changed it since DC applied. I can't remember where I found the info. But I know you can't just look at need-blind vs. need aware, because nearly all schools except for a handful (HYPM I think) are at least need aware for international students. But here's a useful list: https://blog.prepscholar.com/need-blind-colleges-list

[Anonymous]

Dartmouth will also now be need blind for international students.