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<p>SAT scores only matter for students applying to the Emory Scholars program. After a student has been admitted, Emory stops caring about incoming stats when doling out financial aid. Additionally the NYT article was sensationalist with respect to Gonzales’ financial struggles. The reality is, Emory is far more generous with financial aid, and much more sensitive to the needs of low income students, than most of its peers (look at average debt upon graduation and the percent of Pell Grant recipients). As of now, Emory Advantage is still in place, so the OP should apply to Emory, but also apply to some schools where his stats put him in the top 75% of all students. Generally speaking those will give him the most aid, since most non need blind full need schools give the most money, merit and financial, to their best qualified applicants.</p>