Heard it’s easier to get in schools like W&M if you indicate you aren’t seeking FA - still do FAFSA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I came here to ask the exact same question about W&M ED and FAFSA. We won't get financial aid and W&M is a reach for DD so I don't expect merit aid there either.

However, one of DD's other top choices "strongly recommends" FAFSA for merit aid and she is much more likely to get merit aid at that school. So I guess I do the FAFSA, but don't include W&M (or UVA, another reach) as one of the schools?

Other than formal programs, most publics don’t offer merit aid anyway.

That's not accurate. Several public VA schools that DC is considering offer significant merit scholarships to high stats applicants. These are two of the programs I know about, there may be others.

UMW: https://www.umw.edu/admissions/in-state-merit-scholarship/ -- up to $10k/year purely on scores/GPA
VCU: https://www.vcu.edu/admissions/paying-for-college/scholarships/ -- $8k to $16k/year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love the psychology behind OP's post and similar posts from others taking about being "full pay." Newsflash: being full pay may help at the margin at second tier loser schools, but not at real schools like William & Mary. You can't buy your way into a good college just by being full pay.

Well some people need to pay full pay, in order to make FA available to others who cannot pay in full.

Not at real schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love the psychology behind OP's post and similar posts from others taking about being "full pay." Newsflash: being full pay may help at the margin at second tier loser schools, but not at real schools like William & Mary. You can't buy your way into a good college just by being full pay.

Well some people need to pay full pay, in order to make FA available to others who cannot pay in full.

Not at real schools.

You're in a W&M thread

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hmmm…they see if you check yes or no to the question on the Common App asking if you will seek financial aid.

No, they have to separate out the files for the admissions committee.

If a school says they are need-blind, they have to have a method of creating files for admissions committee that tells no information about whether you are seeking financial assistance.

[Anonymous]

Is it safe to assume that $250k+ HHI and a 6 figure 529 does not need to fill out fafsa?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it safe to assume that $250k+ HHI and a 6 figure 529 does not need to fill out fafsa?

I believe schools still want FAFSA if your child wants to be considered for a merit scholarship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it safe to assume that $250k+ HHI and a 6 figure 529 does not need to fill out fafsa?

it’s not “need to” but should because everyone who fills out a FAFSA is then entitled to the $5500 ( the amount increases sophomore, junior, senior years) annual loans. Your child has to sign the paperwork. I still remember when my DD said “Wait! I’m responsible for this?” Gives them teeth on the game. Both of our children graduated with about $25 to $28k in federal student loans, which you, as parents can pay off in the future. It gives your student skin in the game to know they are on the hook for something. We are doing the same at he graduate level (called Plus loans). Also both of our kids’ colleges would not talk to us about merit aid until we filled out the FAFSA. We just asked our CPA to do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it safe to assume that $250k+ HHI and a 6 figure 529 does not need to fill out fafsa?

it’s not “need to” but should because everyone who fills out a FAFSA is then entitled to the $5500 ( the amount increases sophomore, junior, senior years) annual loans. Your child has to sign the paperwork. I still remember when my DD said “Wait! I’m responsible for this?” Gives them teeth on the game. Both of our children graduated with about $25 to $28k in federal student loans, which you, as parents can pay off in the future. It gives your student skin in the game to know they are on the hook for something. We are doing the same at he graduate level (called Plus loans). Also both of our kids’ colleges would not talk to us about merit aid until we filled out the FAFSA. We just asked our CPA to do it.

I haven’t encountered any schools that require the FAFSA for merit. What schools require it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it safe to assume that $250k+ HHI and a 6 figure 529 does not need to fill out fafsa?

it’s not “need to” but should because everyone who fills out a FAFSA is then entitled to the $5500 ( the amount increases sophomore, junior, senior years) annual loans. Your child has to sign the paperwork. I still remember when my DD said “Wait! I’m responsible for this?” Gives them teeth on the game. Both of our children graduated with about $25 to $28k in federal student loans, which you, as parents can pay off in the future. It gives your student skin in the game to know they are on the hook for something. We are doing the same at he graduate level (called Plus loans). Also both of our kids’ colleges would not talk to us about merit aid until we filled out the FAFSA. We just asked our CPA to do it.

I haven’t encountered any schools that require the FAFSA for merit. What schools require it?

GMU wouldn’t even talk to me without the FAFSA filled out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it safe to assume that $250k+ HHI and a 6 figure 529 does not need to fill out fafsa?

it’s not “need to” but should because everyone who fills out a FAFSA is then entitled to the $5500 ( the amount increases sophomore, junior, senior years) annual loans. Your child has to sign the paperwork. I still remember when my DD said “Wait! I’m responsible for this?” Gives them teeth on the game. Both of our children graduated with about $25 to $28k in federal student loans, which you, as parents can pay off in the future. It gives your student skin in the game to know they are on the hook for something. We are doing the same at he graduate level (called Plus loans). Also both of our kids’ colleges would not talk to us about merit aid until we filled out the FAFSA. We just asked our CPA to do it.

I haven’t encountered any schools that require the FAFSA for merit. What schools require it?

I’m another PP that assumes we wouldn’t get need related aid and I have no interest in having my kids take out loans (I understand your thinking, just not something that we feel is needed) so question is whether there’s any other reason, including merit, to fill out the forms.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think it makes any difference. They are separate departments. We had colleges asking us for more FASFA information after they had already rejected us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it safe to assume that $250k+ HHI and a 6 figure 529 does not need to fill out fafsa?

it’s not “need to” but should because everyone who fills out a FAFSA is then entitled to the $5500 ( the amount increases sophomore, junior, senior years) annual loans. Your child has to sign the paperwork. I still remember when my DD said “Wait! I’m responsible for this?” Gives them teeth on the game. Both of our children graduated with about $25 to $28k in federal student loans, which you, as parents can pay off in the future. It gives your student skin in the game to know they are on the hook for something. We are doing the same at he graduate level (called Plus loans). Also both of our kids’ colleges would not talk to us about merit aid until we filled out the FAFSA. We just asked our CPA to do it.

Can you expand on this? Your kids have approx $28k in federal student loans that are subsidized (interest free until graduation?). And now they are slowly paying it off? That’s a great lesson… thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love the psychology behind OP's post and similar posts from others taking about being "full pay." Newsflash: being full pay may help at the margin at second tier loser schools, but not at real schools like William & Mary. You can't buy your way into a good college just by being full pay.

Well some people need to pay full pay, in order to make FA available to others who cannot pay in full.

Not at real schools.

You're in a W&M thread

Don't waste your energy on an ahole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it safe to assume that $250k+ HHI and a 6 figure 529 does not need to fill out fafsa?

it’s not “need to” but should because everyone who fills out a FAFSA is then entitled to the $5500 ( the amount increases sophomore, junior, senior years) annual loans. Your child has to sign the paperwork. I still remember when my DD said “Wait! I’m responsible for this?” Gives them teeth on the game. Both of our children graduated with about $25 to $28k in federal student loans, which you, as parents can pay off in the future. It gives your student skin in the game to know they are on the hook for something. We are doing the same at he graduate level (called Plus loans). Also both of our kids’ colleges would not talk to us about merit aid until we filled out the FAFSA. We just asked our CPA to do it.

Can you expand on this? Your kids have approx $28k in federal student loans that are subsidized (interest free until graduation?). And now they are slowly paying it off? That’s a great lesson… thanks.

yes, You file the FAFSA and the loan becomes available even if you don't qualify for financial aid. DD is paying hers off but got a reprieve due to covid (feds said no pay due to covid). Second child has his loans put off due to grad school. Both owe about $25K to $28K at a low interest rate. Keeps them on their toes and learn about financial responsibility.

[Anonymous]

What is a reach for W&M? If my DS is full IB with almost all A grades and a 1530 SAT, is W&M a likely admit?