At some schools merit aid gets handed out early, but I agree with Bopper, at Case Western, you can still get that type of aid if you apply regular decision. The Michaelson Morley, they give that to some EA candidates, but they may also give some of those to RD candidates. Both my sons applied EA. Both got merit aid. One got the Michaelson Morley, which was a bit more money than the other son, which is specific for certain majors, I am forgetting which ones, but math/science/engineering, as I remember. I have heard that merit aid at Case may be very dependent on ACT score and the SAT subject exam scores, even though those subject exam scores are not required to apply and get accepted to CWRU, and that was our experience. So son with an ACT =33 got less than the son with an ACT of 35. Both sons got two 800s on SAT subject exams. (Math 2 and Physics which is easier than chemistry to earn an 800, apparently ) Good luck. Since EA is nonbinding, it may be wise to apply early if the student’s stats are strong.