Did you know that when you apply to college can affect how much money you end up paying?
Students often focus on whether or not they should apply under a binding Early Decision option, but overlook how applying later in the cycle can limit their chances of receiving certain types of financial aid.
Some colleges only offer binding Early Decision (ED) and non-binding Regular Decision (RD) application options. Students who know they won’t apply ED might conclude that they can wait to apply until the RD deadline in January-February, but this could result in less financial aid.
Priority Deadlines for Financial Aid
Some colleges set priority deadlines for scholarships that fall long before the Regular Decision deadline. These are especially for competitive merit scholarships that use an invitational scholarship weekend to decide which students are selected for the scholarship.
Example: The Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program at Boston College only considers students who submit their BC applications by the November 1 deadline, regardless of whether they apply Early Decision or Regular Decision.
If a student waits to apply in January or February, they may still be admitted to the college – but miss out on scholarships they were well qualified for.
Honors Programs and Associated Scholarships
Honors programs improve a student’s academic experience, especially at large public universities. Many honors programs come with added benefits like scholarships, priority registration, special advising, and research opportunities. But these programs often have earlier deadlines.
Example: At Rutgers University, students must apply for university admission by December 1 and indicate their interest in the Honors College to get access to the honors essay prompt and be considered for honors merit scholarships.
First-Come, First-Served Aid
Some colleges disburse financial aid and scholarships based on when the student applies. When institutional or state funds are limited, applying early means you’re more likely to receive funding.
Example: North Carolina State University warns students that “financial aid is offered on a first come, first-served basis.”
Even students who qualify for aid may receive less if funds run out before their application is reviewed.
Need-Based Aid and FAFSA Timing
Priority deadlines apply to need-based aid too. FAFSA and CSS Profile for the 2026-27 college academic year are both scheduled to open October 1, 2025.
Tip: Students do not need to wait for admissions decisions to apply for financial aid. In fact, submitting the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile by November 1 helps avoid delays and missed deadlines.
Final Thought
Even if you’re not applying Early Decision, applying early in the application cycle can help you maximize your options – academically and financially.
Worried about missing deadlines or financial aid opportunities? The best time to start planning is long before senior year – sophomore and junior year are perfect for college planning and research. Work with a college admissions expert to build a wise list that considers academic, social, and financial fit. Contact Admissions Decrypted to get started.
Lisa Rielage is a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association where she serves on the Subcommittee for College Affordability. This article is adapted from content that was originally written for IECA’s Insights magazine, Fall 2025 issue.
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