<p>There are varying opinions on that. Schools that out and out announce that they are need blind in admissions seem to be, in my opinion. There is just too much too lose if it turns out they are being dishonest about this claim if it is on their websites, applications and other college material. And because a financial aid office is a dynamic place with lots of different people working in it at different times, it would be easy for such info to leak out. And it is just much easier to to define need to diminish aid, give lots of loans, or use other criterion in admissions to keep the need pool smaller, than actually being out and out need aware. There has been talk that these strategies have been used, and they probably are true to varying degrees at some schools. </p>
<p>Where some colleges are deceptive is that they just refuse to discuss the situation. THey do not say they are need blind, but they will not admit they are need aware and have some pretty couched words to answer any questions about the issue. Though I do not like it that the need aware situation exists, I do have respect for those colleges that are upfront about it so that you know where you stand.</p>
<p>Most of the less selective colleges are need blind. They simply gap you. There are a number selective schools that do the same, but that type of school tends to be sensitive to yield figures, and that is why they would prefer to reject rather than to gap.</p>