I realize that much of a LAC’s accepted ED group consists of athletes. Do these athletes pay full fare (like I expect most non-athletes who are accepted ED probably do)?
Most LAC’s are NCAA D3 schools, which do not have athletic scholarships. Athletes, however, are eligible for need-based aid, just like everyone else,
I think if you had hard data you would find no correlation between ED and the percentage of students receiving financial aid or the award size. Just so you know, ED is not binding if the student doesn’t like the financial package and can easily opt out. So, there is no reason for ED to attract only those with the means to pay the full amount.
If it were me…and my kid was being recruited by a D3 school…and I needed aid…I wouldmtskemtime college for an early read on my financial aid.
Keep in mind also, the financial aid for the 2017-2018 school year will be based on 2015 tax year information, plus assets. It won’t be hard for schools to give you an early read. Ask.
Yep just ask. The people in financial aid are not very stressed out during the summer when athletes are doing pre-reads.
I don’t think, at the top need-blind LAC’s, ability to pay matters at all in admissions, in ED or otherwise.
Though note that many sports (crew, lacrosse, skiing, tennis, golf, even baseball at the college level) attract a high-SES or at least middle-class demographic.
Run the NPCs for specific schools using '15 tax returns, to get a sense of what financial aid might look like. After July 1, before senior year, most of the D3s asked for admissions pre-read info and offered financial pre-read as well. For schools which award merit aid, admissions (usually in the post-interview, “mom/dad, do you have any questions” conversation), suggested the merit range that he’d likely be competitive for as an applicant.