Can a school require a FAFSA even if you are not applying for financial aid?

[Anonymous]

In another group I am in, someone mentioned several state schools who are requiring FAFSA even if you are not applying for aid? Anyone know if this is the case?

[Anonymous]

If you want to be considered for merit aid, then they can ask for anything the feel like. You can choose to not turn it in but you will forego discounts they may have given you.

[Anonymous]

Well, real merit scholarships wouldn't have anything to do with need or FAFSA.

[Anonymous]

If your income is high, not much point in giving out your information away in an era of identity and cyber crimes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In another group I am in, someone mentioned several state schools who are requiring FAFSA even if you are not applying for aid? Anyone know if this is the case?

No. They can't.

[Anonymous]

Yes they absolutely can!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In another group I am in, someone mentioned several state schools who are requiring FAFSA even if you are not applying for aid? Anyone know if this is the case?

No. They can't.


Of course they can. GMU asked this of us. Google past threads for lists of schools that mandate this

[Anonymous]

VCU

[Anonymous]

Yes, they can.

[Anonymous]

Some states require it for high school graduation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:VCU

This is not true. VCU does not require applicants to complete the FAFSA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In another group I am in, someone mentioned several state schools who are requiring FAFSA even if you are not applying for aid? Anyone know if this is the case?

No. They can't.


Of course they can. GMU asked this of us. Google past threads for lists of schools that mandate this

GMU does not require the FAFASA in order to apply for admission.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, real merit scholarships wouldn't have anything to do with need or FAFSA.

They actually do, since the scholarships are usually not stackable. So, it's in the school's interests to keep up the optics and designate as much aid as possible as need based. Meaning that if they want to offer you $20K based on your test scores, they want to be absolutely sure you have zero need. Otherwise, if there is a chance fir them to call part of that $20K need based, they don't want to miss that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, real merit scholarships wouldn't have anything to do with need or FAFSA.

They actually do, since the scholarships are usually not stackable. So, it's in the school's interests to keep up the optics and designate as much aid as possible as need based. Meaning that if they want to offer you $20K based on your test scores, they want to be absolutely sure you have zero need. Otherwise, if there is a chance fir them to call part of that $20K need based, they don't want to miss that.

Only a handful or fewer of of the top 200 schools in the US require FAFSA for SOME of their merit aid scholarships. I am aware of Fordham and Villanova. There may be a couple of others.

[Anonymous]

Fordham did a couple years ago.