At need aware schools, at some level, your ability to pay is considered. But sometimes this is not for the whole admissions cycle. Some schools only become need aware later in their admissions cycle.
Does this college meet full need for all accepted students?
Honestly, if you need aid, apply for aid. Even at need aware colleges, there are kids who apply for need based aid, and get accepted every year.
You say you would qualify for some level of aid. What does this mean? Have you run the net price calculators to see your possible net costs. And aid.
I agree.
You don’t have to tell us, but how much more than what you budgeted would these two reach schools cost? Would you be taking out loans, borrowing from retirement loans, home equity or your home? Think twice about this extra debt.
Personally I would say…apply for the aid.
ETA…if the school is need aware, and you kiddo doesn’t apply for aid, then expect to be full pay at those colleges. Your kid will have been excepted with the idea that you didn’t want aid for this academic year. She will be able to submit the FAFSA to get the federally funded Direct Loan…but that’s it for this year…if she doesn’t apply before the deadlines pass.
I’ve said I would scrub floors to pay for my kids to have health insurance…but with so many college options…I would not have done so if college had not been affordable for us.