my mom thinks checking the financial aid box gets you rejected
is that true
- ?
At most colleges, no. Many are need-blind for US citizens and permanent residents, meaning they do not consider whether you applied for aid. Some are need-aware, where it can matter at the margin, usually for a small part of the class. Each school's admissions or aid site states which policy it uses.
Not applying for aid when you need it is a bigger risk than applying. Many schools will not give institutional aid later if you skip it the first year.