FAFSA

[Anonymous]

DD got a lot of merit for a private college. It still leaves 50k/year to pay. It is a lot considering she has other much cheaper options whch are better ranked BUT she really likes this school. Our hhi is over 300k (total pita to calculate as we pay estimated taxes and in several states). In a case like this, does filling FAFSA help at all? I realize we likely don't qualify for any aid with FAFSA, and we were not planning on filling it at all. I just wonder if sometimes private colleges throw a little financial aid in just for filling it out. Is it worth doing at all?

[Anonymous]

We also are unlikely to qualify for any need-based aid, but the CC at school told us to go ahead and do the FAFSA just to be eligible in case we want to take any federal loans or work study. It is much easier than the CSS, if that helps.

[Anonymous]

OP, you can find out whether you are eligible for need-based aid by using college Net Price Calculators. Each college has one and each result may be a little different. Find the Net Price Calculator on the college's financial aid website.