Need-blind is need-blind, until it isn't anymore. If a need-blind school has met all of its institutional priorities and still has a number of open spots left, you can bet that AOs would be reading all they can into an applicant's school type (private or public), home zip code, parents' jobs, parents' educational background, how expensive are their ECs, etc., to fill those open spots. This is certainly true with waitlists.

Anonymous wrote:At need blind schools, financial aid and admissions are two separate entities often in separate buildings. AOs know nothing that can’t be inferred from the application.

But a lot can be inferred. Let’s not be naive.

At need blind schools, financial aid and admissions are two separate entities often in separate buildings. AOs know nothing that can’t be inferred from the application.

I think they can see it but may not use it for admissions decisions. I've often heard that being a PELL recipient can help because that shows low income (as in FGLI), and the top schools love to tout how many PELL recipient they have in each class. The schools can only see that info through the FAFSA/CSS.

Is it really true that at need-blind schools, the AOs will not see our family FAFSA or CSS? Even if I selected "Will need financial aid", they will not have access to my FAFSA/CSS throughout the entire admin process?

I want to understand whether AOs will see them but won't take the financial situation into consideration, or they won't see it AT ALL?