Understanding Need-Blind and Need-Aware Colleges: A Guide for Applicants

If you’re planning to apply to colleges in the US, you might have heard of the terms ‘need-blind’ and ‘need-aware’. These policies affect the admissions process and influence some important things like financial aid. This guide will explain what need-blind and need-aware policies are and help you decide which type suits your needs best. 

What is need-blind admission?

A need-blind admissions policy basically means that a college evaluates applicants without considering their financial needs. In this case, admissions decisions are based solely on the student’s qualifications (GPA, standardised test scores, etc). Whether students can afford to attend is not factored into the decision to admit or reject them. 

The purpose of a need-blind approach is to promote meritocracy by judging each person’s application on its individual merits, not on whether they can afford to pay. In that sense, some argue that a need-blind approach ‘levels the playing field’, giving all students the opportunity to be considered fairly and equally. Many US colleges now view it as a vital way to ensure that students’ financial backgrounds don’t hinder their chances of getting in. 

Keep in mind, though, that need-blind policies vary significantly. Some colleges are only need-blind for domestic (i.e. US) students, whilst others might also cover international applicants. Moreover, the level of support that need-blind colleges can give is different. Some have the resources to provide 100% of an applicant’s demonstrated level of financial need, but others might not. 

Which colleges are need-blind for international applicants?

A lot of colleges have need-blind policies for US applicants, but only a small number have them for international students. Here are the seven colleges that are need-blind for internationals:

• Harvard University
• Princeton University
• Yale University
• Amherst College
• MIT
• Bowdoin College
• Dartmouth College

All of these schools offer generous financial aid packages to make sure that anyone who is good enough to be admitted can afford to attend. However, because so few colleges are need-blind for international students, it’s really important to do your research before applying. 

What is need-aware admission?

Need-aware policies are essentially the opposite: they consider an applicant’s level of financial need during the admissions process. This means that a student’s ability to support themselves financially can–and almost certainly will–factor into the college’s decision to admit them. And whilst this might sound a bit discouraging to some, it’s important to remember that need-aware schools still offer significant financial aid packages to those they do choose to admit. 

If most people say need-blind admissions are fairer, why do some colleges employ need-aware approaches? Well, colleges, as well as being educational institutions, are businesses, and need-aware policies can give them more control over their budgets. Smaller colleges often have less resources and may, for this reason, be unable to offer quite as much financial aid to applicants. 

Which colleges are need-aware for international applicants?

Most US colleges are need-aware when it comes to admitting international students. Here are a few well-known, need-aware colleges:

• New York University
• Boston University
• University of Southern California
• Washington University in St. Louis
• University of California (all campuses)

These colleges still provide generous aid to those they admit, but they might factor finances into their decisions. Again, it’s crucial to look at the websites of any colleges you’re thinking of applying to to understand the level of financial support they offer to international students. 

Need-blind vs. need-aware: Which is better for you?

Both policies have their benefits and drawbacks. Understanding which one is better for you depends mostly on your financial situation and preferences. 

Need-blind policies aim to make a college education accessible to all students, regardless of their backgrounds, so their advantages are mainly felt by high-need students. Need-blind policies also show a commitment to diversity. By making admissions accessible to all, need-blind colleges may have a more varied and inclusive atmosphere at their campuses. 

However, not all need-blind schools have the resources to meet 100% of admitted students’ financial needs. This is particularly true for international students, who often face having to pay higher tuition fees. Some students might be admitted to a need-blind college but still be unable to cover their costs, forcing them to decline the offer. 

By being more selective, need-aware colleges may have the advantage of providing more comprehensive financial aid packages to those they do admit. The obvious disadvantages here are for higher-need students, as need-aware policies can create heightened competition amongst those who can’t afford to pay their full tuition. 

You should think carefully about your own situation and what is most important for you. Do you want the reassurance of a need-blind approach or the potential for a larger financial aid package that a need-aware college might be able to offer? If financial aid is crucial for you, you can also research what percentage of admitted students typically receive financial aid from a particular college.

How to find out which colleges are need-blind or need-aware

The best way to do this is to research individual college policies, which they usually post on their websites. Look for sections about international admissions or financial aid and you should find the right information. If, for some reason, a college doesn’t explicitly state their policy on their website, your best bet is to reach out to their admissions or financial aid office and ask them to clarify; they’ll be very happy to help. 

Conclusion

For international students trying to figure out the complicated US college admissions process, understanding terms like need-blind and need-aware is important. Each type of policy has its own pros and cons, which we’ve discussed in detail here. 

For better or worse, choosing the right college for you is not all about academics: it also has to involve a careful consideration of your financial situation. It’s really important that you understand your own level of financial need and what the colleges you’re applying to can potentially provide. 

If you’re looking for expert guidance to help you through the process, A-List’s University Advising service offers personalised strategies to maximise your chances of success.