Does applying EA increase Merit Aid Chances?

Paying for College
1

<p>As a hard and fast rule, IK that EA increases the likelihood that one would get accepted. However, I am already basically guaranteed admission at most of the few schools on my list that do offer EA. They are basically ‘merit aid safeties.’ The once exception is Colorado College. I am pretty sure I’ll apply EA there and it is my top choice next to West Point (IK, they both have very different environments).</p>

<p>Would it increase my chances in receiving merit aid if I applied EA to the other three schools I am considering that offer it:
Willamette
Beloit
Rhodes (still on the edge if I am going to apply here, but I have plenty of time since I’m a junior)</p>

<p>It is probably different for each school, but I’m just not sure where on their website to find this information.</p>

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<p>Do any of these schools have assured merits based on stats? Or, are they all competitive?</p>

<p>Are these the type of schools that typically notify students about merit awards right after being accepted? Or would they give scholarship notification in the spring after Regular?</p>

<p>It’s hard to say; each school is different AND schools sometimes use merit awards to benefit the schools (to get certain desired candidates because of region, diversity, or some other reason)</p>