Applying early + financial aid

katie8800 · 07-27-2009, 10:09 AM

Hi all,
I am very very interested in applying to Colby ED, but am wondering how much this will affect the amount of financial aid I receive. I like to think that my chances are good for an ED acceptance (GPA 3.5/B+ish with a very challenging course load, plenty of clubs and sports, 29 ACT which I plan to retake and hope to get a 30+), but am worried about getting in RD, so herein lies my quandary about when to apply.
I will probably be paying a lot of the tuition myself, but at this point am thinking that I would just suck it up and pay anything since Colby is my absolute favorite.
Does any one know the average ED financial aid package?

Thanks!

PS. Will it hurt me if I apply with only my ACT scores? I didn't really feel great about my SATs...they were an 1820 putting me at the very low end of Colby's spectrum.

WhiteMule · 07-27-2009, 11:07 AM

Taken from the Colby Admissions website:
Percent receiving grant aid 36%
Average grant award $30,706
Average financial aid package $31,976

I don't believe applying ED or RD affects the amount of fin. aid offered, rather, you don't have the ability to "shop" for the best offer. I would suggest contacting the fin. aid office directly with any questions, the Colby administration is very accommodating and helpful to prospective students.

In terms of test scores, Colby accepts either the SAT, ACT, or 3 SAT subject tests, and does not discriminate based upon which it receives (Colby College | Admissions & Financial Aid | Application Instructions).

All that being said, Colby is amazing, and if it's definitely your 1st choice then you should definitely apply ED (regardless of any slight admissions advantage it may give you).

Hope that helps.

katie8800 · 07-27-2009, 11:41 AM

Very helpful, thank you!
Based on everything I've read everywhere (especially on here!), I'll hopefully be headed towards the ED route.

Thanks again!

Momof2sons · 07-27-2009, 07:11 PM

Yes, the big draw back is you will not be able to compare financial aid packages
I have always found Colby to be very fair in terms of financial aid but your EFC will undoubtedly be higher then you anticipate. I found them to be very close to the on-line calculators on the College Board site