How much will a college being need-aware hurt my admsissions chances?

[OHMomof2]

need-awareness is probably the least of the reasons why the students skew heavily toward those from wealthier families. Students from wealthier families likely have parents and schools that provide them opportunities to excel, rather than roadblocks to achievement that are more commonly encountered as one goes lower in the income scale.

I agree, and add that a low income student who has achieved at those high levels has a bit of an advantage at some schools. Perhaps just the one I know of that calls itself “need-affirmative”, but many SAY they do actively seek out low income students who excel.