FAFSA and CSS?

[Anonymous]

We did not fill out FAFSA or CSS as will not qualify for any need based aid. we are looking for merit scholarships. I am confused if we need to fill out fafsa and css or not? can someone please advise?

[Anonymous]

Yes. Schools require FAFSA for merit consideration.

[Anonymous]

You should do it since many schools use these for scholarship determinations as well. And you never know if you may end up needing a loan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Schools require FAFSA for merit consideration.

This is inaccurate. It depends on the school. We did not fill out FAFSA or CSS. DC was offered merit aid at every school accepted.

[Anonymous]

Fill it out. It takes 30 minutes. It’s free. Yes, some schools give merit aid without it, but some schools require it.

[Anonymous]

fafsa is a separate application and css is on college board?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:fafsa is a separate application and css is on college board?

FAFSA is a separate federal form. CSS is operated by the College Board and is used instead/in addition to FAFSA at some schools, particularly private schools.

Check the school’s website or email to clarify if you are unsure which application the school takes and whether it is needed for merit aid consideration. Many schools do not require either for merit consideration, but some do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:fafsa is a separate application and css is on college board?

FAFSA is a separate federal form. CSS is operated by the College Board and is used instead/in addition to FAFSA at some schools, particularly private schools.

Check the school’s website or email to clarify if you are unsure which application the school takes and whether it is needed for merit aid consideration. Many schools do not require either for merit consideration, but some do.

thanks! does fafsa get filled out by kid or parents? i mean we do it under kids name-the fafsa--use her name and email?

[Anonymous]

FAFSA takes a very short time but I found the CSS to be a bear. FAFSA I did when kid #1 went to college, because our MCPS HS said, "everyone gets something." We got access to loans and nothing else.

3 years later, did both FAFSA and CSS (because with 2 kids in college surely we'd get *some* financial aid, and kid #2 was applying to a school that required CSS for merit aid). We still got nothing, and I won't fill either out again. HHI $240k

[Anonymous]

We are a full pay family and complete the FASFA. The school uses this information for institutional scholarships consideration. My kid got merit at all 6 six schools they applied to and were accepted by.

[Anonymous]

We're full pay, but I filled them out for both of my kids as freshmen, and did FAFSA most years after that. That's because we wanted access to federal student loans. Also worth considering...
1) are the forms required for merit consideration?
2) what happens if you have a sudden change in financial circumstances during the year?
3) if you do not apply as a freshman, can you apply in subsequent years?
The answers to those questions differ from school to school.

[Anonymous]

can this lower ivy chances if they think you need aid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:fafsa is a separate application and css is on college board?

FAFSA is a separate federal form. CSS is operated by the College Board and is used instead/in addition to FAFSA at some schools, particularly private schools.

Check the school’s website or email to clarify if you are unsure which application the school takes and whether it is needed for merit aid consideration. Many schools do not require either for merit consideration, but some do.

thanks! does fafsa get filled out by kid or parents? i mean we do it under kids name-the fafsa--use her name and email?

Parent and child both have sections to complete in FAFSA. If actually was pretty straightforward and not too time-consuming. CSS seemed a bit more involved but also not that difficult.

[Anonymous]

There are some helpful walkthrough videos on YouTube for both CSS and FAFSA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:can this lower ivy chances if they think you need aid?

No. Ivies are need blind. (Some need-blind schools look at indicators of ability to pay, like high school or zip code, but they don’t look directly at FAFSA/CSS.)