@calmom I’m afraid I don’t follow. You state that the HEOP requirements are at odds with the usual academic requirements, but “need blind” refers to financial circumstances. Barnard’s Provosts explained last year that they actually do not have a financial aid “budget” per se but rather allocate funds based on the total demand for financial assistance, if necessary taking resources from other budgets.
HEOP was only one example. I have a neighbour who is a Gates Millennium Scholar at Barnard. Her scores were sky high but her academic record had its ups-and downs. Barnard offered her virtually a full ride and the Gates replaces her loans and work-study (and she was admitted before Gates decisions were announced, so that couldn’t have influenced Barnard’s decision). If Barnard had considered her financial need, they wouldn’t have admitted her.
From my experience working with Barnard, I’ve seen them reject far more “full pay” students than those requiring financial need.