Is Amherst College really need blind for all applicants?
I've heard a lot about Amherst College being need blind, and some people say it's for everyone, even international students, while others say it's just for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. I'm a junior and thinking about applying next year, but financial aid is super important for my family and me.
If anyone has recent experience applying to Amherst, could you tell me how the need-blind policy actually works? If you need a lot of aid, does that hurt your chances? I'm also wondering what happens if your financial situation changes after you get accepted. Is the policy the same for transfer students too?
Just trying to figure out if Amherst is a realistic option for me financially or if I should focus more on schools where I'm certain my need wouldn't hold me back.
If anyone has recent experience applying to Amherst, could you tell me how the need-blind policy actually works? If you need a lot of aid, does that hurt your chances? I'm also wondering what happens if your financial situation changes after you get accepted. Is the policy the same for transfer students too?
Just trying to figure out if Amherst is a realistic option for me financially or if I should focus more on schools where I'm certain my need wouldn't hold me back.
4 months ago
•
1556 views
Lily Fang
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Amherst College is genuinely need-blind for all first-year applicants, including both U.S. citizens and international students. This means they evaluate applicants for admission without considering their ability to pay or whether they apply for financial aid. They are one of the very few U.S. colleges that extend need-blind admissions to international students, so your family’s financial situation will not be a factor in the admissions decision.
If you need a lot of aid, it doesn't hurt your chances of admission. Amherst is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, regardless of citizenship. This policy also applies to undocumented and DACA students. For example, if the FAFSA and CSS Profile shows you require almost a full scholarship, Amherst will create a financial aid package (mostly through grants rather than loans) designed to cover what you need—so you wouldn’t be penalized for applying for aid.
If your financial situation changes after you get accepted, you should reach out to the financial aid office as soon as possible. Amherst is known for working with families whose circumstances shift, such as a parent losing a job, serious illness, or other major changes. They are generally open to reevaluating your aid package to ensure it still meets your demonstrated need.
For transfer students, the policy is not quite the same. Amherst is need-blind only for first-year applicants. For transfer applicants, admissions are need-aware, meaning your financial need might be taken into account in the admissions decision. If you’re applying as a transfer, it’s something to consider.
Amherst is a great option to pursue if affordability is a critical factor for your family, especially as an international or first-year U.S. applicant. Be sure to use their Net Price Calculator to get a rough sense of your financial aid eligibility before applying. If you have specific concerns, you can always reach out to their financial aid office for guidance about your personal situation.
If you need a lot of aid, it doesn't hurt your chances of admission. Amherst is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, regardless of citizenship. This policy also applies to undocumented and DACA students. For example, if the FAFSA and CSS Profile shows you require almost a full scholarship, Amherst will create a financial aid package (mostly through grants rather than loans) designed to cover what you need—so you wouldn’t be penalized for applying for aid.
If your financial situation changes after you get accepted, you should reach out to the financial aid office as soon as possible. Amherst is known for working with families whose circumstances shift, such as a parent losing a job, serious illness, or other major changes. They are generally open to reevaluating your aid package to ensure it still meets your demonstrated need.
For transfer students, the policy is not quite the same. Amherst is need-blind only for first-year applicants. For transfer applicants, admissions are need-aware, meaning your financial need might be taken into account in the admissions decision. If you’re applying as a transfer, it’s something to consider.
Amherst is a great option to pursue if affordability is a critical factor for your family, especially as an international or first-year U.S. applicant. Be sure to use their Net Price Calculator to get a rough sense of your financial aid eligibility before applying. If you have specific concerns, you can always reach out to their financial aid office for guidance about your personal situation.