<p>I believe that financial aid is need based (based off your parents tax records and some other factors) so why would it matter if you apply early or not? You say that you’ve “heard ED applications are offered a larger sum of financial aid”, but that doesn’t mean what you heard is true. I think this is the case for schools with limited resources. They might only have a set amount of financial aid for the incoming class and the kids who apply early get first crack on financial aid before regular decision rolls around. I don’t think that this is the case with Emory. I would find this out before making your decision. This article should help give you a better idea of how applying early affects financial aid decisions:
<a href=“How Early Decision Affects Financial Aid | HowStuffWorks”>http://money.howstuffworks.com/personal-finance/college-planning/financial-aid/early-decision-financial-aid2.htm</a></p>
<p>Here is a relevant quote from the article:</p>
<p>“However, if money is going to be a major factor in your decision to attend a school, early decision might not be a viable option. For example, Wake Forest University recommends that prospective students who will require financial aid apply regular decision in order to compare financial assistance packages in the spring. Both their merit-based and need-based financial aid decisions aren’t made until April. Wake Forest even encourages students who have applied early decision to change their admission program to regular decision if they haven’t given enough thought as to how financial aid will affect their ability to attend the university.”</p>
<p>Also here is a list from the NYTimes of the net price (after financial aid) for low to middle income families of attending certain colleges with over a 75% graduation rate around the country.</p>
<p><a href=“The Most Economically Diverse Top Colleges - The New York Times”>The Most Economically Diverse Top Colleges - The New York Times;