Flickr user Ken Lund
Is applying to a need-aware or need-blind school better? While need-aware schools will take your financial decision into account during the admission process, need-blind schools only focus on your academics. Both of these financial aid policies have their benefits and drawbacks, but the best fit will vary from student to student. It all depends on your circumstances, goals, and where you see yourself for the next four years!
Each college has different policies for financial aid—some are “need-blind” and some are “need-aware.” Knowing the differences between the two can help you figure out how much college costs might affect your application status.
What Are Need-Aware Admissions?
Need-aware colleges will consider your financial need in addition to your academic achievements when reviewing your application. This means their decision on whether to admit you or not can be decided by taking into account your or your family’s earning capacity in relation to the cost of attendance or COA.
For instance, if it comes down to you and another student and you both demonstrate excellent transcripts and extracurriculars—they can base their decision on who has the finances to meet the full COA without the need for scholarships, grants, or loans. This doesn’t mean they don’t care about admitting well-rounded students or offering financial aid, but it is a factor in the admissions decision. Many need-aware colleges still offer generous financial aid packages.
Pros of Need-Aware
- Targeted Financial Aid. If you demonstrate financial need, they might offer a more generous scholarship or grant so that you can attend the school. This can be a huge advantage if your family can’t afford a ton of college costs.
- Less Competition. Some students might skip applying to need-aware schools if they think they’ll need a lot of aid. This could mean a smaller applicant pool for you, increasing your chances of getting in.
- Financial Stability for the School. By taking financial need into consideration, need-aware schools can make sure they have enough money to support everyone they accept—potentially meaning more resources and amenities for everyone.
Cons of Need-Aware
- Financial Disadvantage. Need-aware schools might favor students who can pay more. This could make it more challenging for you to get in if you need a large financial aid package.
- Uncertainty for Applicants. It can be stressful and anxiety-inducing to not know how your financial circumstance is going to affect your chances of getting into a school. College applications are already stressful enough!
- Economic Diversity. Need-aware policies can lead to a less diverse student body. If the school prioritizes students who can pay more, there might be fewer students from lower-income backgrounds on campus.
What Are Need-Blind Admissions?
Colleges that have a need-blind admissions policy in place do not take your financial situation into consideration. In most cases, these colleges will pay 100% or a very large portion of college aid to students who prove financial need. These colleges only consider academic merit and extracurriculars during admissions, and calculate aid only after they have already accepted the student.
Pros of Need-Blind
- Level Playing Field. When applying to need-blind schools, how much you can pay is out of the equation—all you need to do is focus on your academic achievements.
- Socioeconomic Diversity. Need-blind policies can lead to a more diverse student body in terms of socioeconomic status. This means you’ll be surrounded by different perspectives, enriching your college experience.
- Less Application Stress. Knowing that finances won’t affect your acceptance decision can feel like a huge weight off your shoulders. Just focus on putting your all into those college applications!
Cons of Need-Blind
- Limited Financial Aid Budget. While need-blind schools promise to meet your financial need, their budget might not be endless. You could face competition for financial aid packages or end up with large loans or apply to a work-study program.
- Highly Competitive. Since finances are not an obstacle, need-blind schools often attract a larger pool of highly qualified applicants, making it harder to get in.
- Limited Options. Need-blind admissions are not as common as need-aware policies. This means you might have fewer choices when applying to colleges with this policy.
Should I Apply to a Need-Aware School or a Need-Blind School?
Choosing to apply to need-aware and need-blind schools depends on your circumstances, preferences, and future career goals. Regardless of the school’s policy, be upfront about your financial situation on your applications and financial aid forms. The school will be able to accurately assess your full need and offer the most appropriate aid package.
Here are some tips to keep in mind before applying to a need-aware or need-blind college:
- Research each school’s financial aid policies (need-aware vs. need-blind), average financial aid packages, and graduation rates. This will give you a realistic picture of if you can afford it.
- Include a mix of both need-aware and need-blind schools on your college list for options.
- Talk to your school counselor or college admissions advisors about your financial situation and college options. They can help you come up with a strategic application plan.
- Use College Raptor to get personalized college matches based on cost estimates, acceptance odds, and potential financial aid.
Need-aware schools look at your finances along with your grades. They might offer a generous financial aid package, but they might also favor students who can pay more. Need-blind schools only focus on your academic achievements. They promise to help with finances if you get in, but these schools are super competitive and might not always have enough aid for everyone. Make sure you research the pros and cons of each before applying. The “best” one is going to be the school where you see yourself thriving!
