This study compared the pre-college experiences reported by University freshmen receiving financial aid and those of students not identified as being on one of the financial aid programs. Information was collected through a pre-college experience inventory completed by freshmen. The average student not on financial aid had traveled more, was more likely to have attended nursery school and kindergarten, had more books and other possessions in his home, and was more likely to have had private music lessons than the average student receiving aid. The difference in reading and artistic experience backgrounds was insignificant. The small sizes of the observed differences suggest that in terms of pre-college experiences students receiving financial aid and those not receiving aid have similar backgrounds. Present financial aid programs do not attract to the University significant numbers of students from financially restricted homes characterized by cultural deprivation. (Author/KP)