@NickFlynn Thanks, but the universities that I have in mind don’t ask if you need financial aid (and they don’t seem to want you to provide this info, consistent with the “need blind” claim). The only things disclosed are parent names, occupation, employer, etc. So, it is conceivable that the ad comm infers need for financial aid, when no such need exists, and makes a decision not to admit.
My contention is that for borderline, untagged students the inference that financial aid will be needed (even if it is not explicitly requested) can put the applicant in the reject pile.