1. If you need aid, you must apply for it first. There is no way around it.
2. Applying for aid does not necessarily reduce your chance of admission, but it does give you an approximate idea on affordability when May 1 comes.
3. Not applying for aid does not necessarily increase your chance. If it does increase it, it gives a false hope when you do really need aid.
4. When a campus job is classified as a Work Study, it is open to students whose financial aid package includes Work Study. If you do not apply for financial aid, you will not qualify for Work Study jobs.
5. When in doubt, apply.