I am taking a different view. Colleges are in business (asset based) and they want to attract students who will bring back return on the investment for college. Thus a middle class kid who is admitted to 6 of the 10 top Colleges may have a different aid package depending on the need of the top college in that year. And difference in aid can be substantial even what $$$$$$ are offered by HYPMS. But kids (poor especially) who qualify for ned based aid will have tough time as they face lot more hurdles to begin with. I think merit hidden based aid will remain depending on college needs. There are only very top few colleges that are truly need blind.