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Financial Aid

Financial fit is an important consideration for students and families as they embark on the college search and application process. The School Counseling Department is committed to providing information and resources about paying for college, financial aid, and scholarships to help each student and their family make informed decisions regarding post-high school education. 

We are sometimes asked by families for advice about whether to apply for financial aid, if it's worth the energy, and if it will impact the student's admission chances. The School Counseling Department encourages any family who has any doubt that they will be able to afford the full, four-year cost of attendance to apply for financial aid. Universities that require the CSS Profile use their own methodology to assess financial need, and in some cases, may be more generous than expected. If a student does not apply for financial aid as an incoming freshman, it might be impossible or less likely to receive financial aid in future years. At a handful of colleges, merit scholarships require a completed FAFSA (as do some local scholarship organizations, such as Staples Tuition Grants). If the student applies for need-based financial aid and doesn't qualify, they will still have access to federal unsubsidized loans, but only if they file the FAFSA. 

How applying for financial aid impacts admissions will depend on the college. It is important to note that while some colleges are “need blind,” meaning that a student’s ability to pay is not known or considered during the admissions process, some are “need aware” and may consider an applicant’s ability to pay when making admission decisions. We recommend that families check with each college the student is considering regarding their policies and practices and the family's individual circumstances.

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