Help me out, parents!!!

[nysmile]

Most students who apply ED do so because they are sure that they want to attend that particular school and they have the funds to pay for it without relying on financial/merit aid. Seeing how you don't have the finances to pay for these elite colleges, applying ED is not in your best interest. Do you realize the schools that you're interested in will cost approx. $50,000/yr.?
You need to research a few less expensive schools as safeties in case your financial situation doesn't work out well with these "elite" schools. You say that you're not concerned with taking out loans. I hope you have a realistic view of what it's going to be like to put yourself into such deep debt.

[adrivit]

No No I didn't mean that .... its just my degree would give me some pay, won't it??

But these elite colleges(Dartmouth) say that they meet 100% need and are need-blind. And I am heavily sure that I am eligible for 100% aid. So ... I am a bit confused actually...

[hsmomstef]

Why are you so convinced that you are eligible for 100% aid? you might be surprised at what a school calculates your EFC as. It might not be very high -- but they may decide that your family can contribute a few thousand (and your family may think otherwise).

There are schools out there that meet 100% with significant loans for both student and parent -- is that acceptable?

if you apply ED, you don't get to compare FA packages -- and the school knows that. They know that you are committed to attending them even if your package includes a ton of loans. As long as they "met your need", you are committed to attending.

[JHS]

I am concerned that the OP is getting some spurious, if well-meaning advice here. As of this year, Dartmouth is both need-blind as to international applicants and meets 100% of need, without loans as to families with less than $75,000 of income (and no unusually valuable assets), a standard that the OP says his family meets several times over. Most other colleges and universities are unlikely to offer similar aid to an international student. It is entirely possible that -- contrary to our normal advice to a domestic student -- the OP's best course of action is an ED application to a place like Dartmouth.

[adrivit]

Thanks JHS!!! And all the others too!!