FAFSA says we can pay $90K; should we have applied for FA?

[Anonymous]

We insisted DD apply only to state colleges and to private colleges that offer Merit Aid. Her stats are 1480 and 3.8 unweighted gpa at respected public high school.

She was accepted at all the state schools she applied to with merit aid. She was accepted at all the privates, but only two gave her merit aid, and not enough to match the cost of the public colleges.

Now, I'm scratching my head and wondering if I should have filled out the CSS and applied for FA at the private schools. FAFSA said we could pay $90K, so I gave up at that point, didn't file the CSS or apply for FA. What was the point?

Did I make a mistake? Does anyone know?

I thought Merit Aid was based on Merit! Now I'm wondering if relative wealth is factored into the equation? Can anyone answer this?

Is there any point in applying for FA and "appealing" our merit aid awards at the privates?

I only mention this because DD is HEARTBROKEN that she didn't get enough Merit Aid from the private colleges. I want to make sure I didn't do something wrong here.

[Anonymous]

It's too late now to fill out the FAFSA anyway. My guidance counselor in high school always advised to fill it out regardless of whether you think you might get aid. You never know.

[Anonymous]

Some schools will not offer merit aid unless the FAFSA is filled out. Mainly, so that if there is a chance for federal need aid, they can use that for part of the package. They don't want to leave any money of the table.

[Anonymous]

I don't know if it's different for freshman vs returning students but for my son who will be a Sr next year, we have to fill our FASFA as part of his schloarship application process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if it's different for freshman vs returning students but for my son who will be a Sr next year, we have to fill our FASFA as part of his schloarship application process.

You have to fill out each year's FAFSA in order to be considered for aid for the following school year. Each year you need a new FAFSA.

[Anonymous]

Merit aid is about yield management, not academic talent. That's why the most selective schools offer generous financial aid, but not merit aid. Nearly a fifth of students receiving so-called merit scholarships have less than a B average and mediocre SAT scores, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. As a result, the net price paid by low-income students is often as high as, or higher than, that paid by more affluent students at the same institution.

If you earn/have enough to come up with an EFC of $90K on FAFSA, you can afford to let your child go anywhere. You certainly don't need other people to subsidize your child's education through financial aid or even merit aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Merit aid is about yield management, not academic talent. That's why the most selective schools offer generous financial aid, but not merit aid. Nearly a fifth of students receiving so-called merit scholarships have less than a B average and mediocre SAT scores, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. As a result, the net price paid by low-income students is often as high as, or higher than, that paid by more affluent students at the same institution.

If you earn/have enough to come up with an EFC of $90K on FAFSA, you can afford to let your child go anywhere. You certainly don't need other people to subsidize your child's education through financial aid or even merit aid.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Merit aid is about yield management, not academic talent. That's why the most selective schools offer generous financial aid, but not merit aid. Nearly a fifth of students receiving so-called merit scholarships have less than a B average and mediocre SAT scores, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. As a result, the net price paid by low-income students is often as high as, or higher than, that paid by more affluent students at the same institution.

If you earn/have enough to come up with an EFC of $90K on FAFSA, you can afford to let your child go anywhere. You certainly don't need other people to subsidize your child's education through financial aid or even merit aid.

Bzuh? Then on what basis is merit aid awarded? Just needing more butts in seats? And why are the low-income students getting less merit aid than the higher-income students?

Sorry if these are dumb questions, but I really don't understand!

[Anonymous]

OP here. I don't think you understood my question.

If you are an admissions officer at a private college, please chime in.

Did I make a mistake by not applying for Financial Aid at the private colleges that offer Merit Aid? I filled out the FAFSA, which showed we were not eligible for Financial Aid, so I didn't apply for Financial Aid.

There is no application for Merit Aid at the private colleges DD applied to.

My understanding is that Merit Aid is given on the basis of academic achievement, not financial need.

Should I have sent the FAFSA to the private schools? Should I have filled out the CSS?

Anyone know?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I don't think you understood my question.

If you are an admissions officer at a private college, please chime in.

Did I make a mistake by not applying for Financial Aid at the private colleges that offer Merit Aid? I filled out the FAFSA, which showed we were not eligible for Financial Aid, so I didn't apply for Financial Aid.

There is no application for Merit Aid at the private colleges DD applied to.

My understanding is that Merit Aid is given on the basis of academic achievement, not financial need.

Should I have sent the FAFSA to the private schools? Should I have filled out the CSS?

Anyone know?

Every school handles merit aid differently. For some schools, yes, in order to be eligible for merit aid you would need to complete the FAFSA form. As PP pointed out, this is to ensure that Federal money is not left on the table. While you would like to think that need aid is completely separate from merit aid, colleges often view it as the Offer Package.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I don't think you understood my question.

If you are an admissions officer at a private college, please chime in.

Did I make a mistake by not applying for Financial Aid at the private colleges that offer Merit Aid? I filled out the FAFSA, which showed we were not eligible for Financial Aid, so I didn't apply for Financial Aid.

There is no application for Merit Aid at the private colleges DD applied to.

My understanding is that Merit Aid is given on the basis of academic achievement, not financial need.

Should I have sent the FAFSA to the private schools? Should I have filled out the CSS?

Anyone know?

Every school handles merit aid differently. For some schools, yes, in order to be eligible for merit aid you would need to complete the FAFSA form. As PP pointed out, this is to ensure that Federal money is not left on the table. While you would like to think that need aid is completely separate from merit aid, colleges often view it as the Offer Package.

So, in other words, I did make a mistake by not sending the FAFSA to the colleges. I filled it out, but couldn't think of a reason to send it to the colleges since it said our EFC was 90K.

How could Federal money be left on the table with an EFC of 90K?

Is there any way to remedy this? Can I send it to them now and ask them to reconsider? Or is it just too late?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I don't think you understood my question.

If you are an admissions officer at a private college, please chime in.

Did I make a mistake by not applying for Financial Aid at the private colleges that offer Merit Aid? I filled out the FAFSA, which showed we were not eligible for Financial Aid, so I didn't apply for Financial Aid.

There is no application for Merit Aid at the private colleges DD applied to.

My understanding is that Merit Aid is given on the basis of academic achievement, not financial need.

Should I have sent the FAFSA to the private schools? Should I have filled out the CSS?

Anyone know?

Every school handles merit aid differently. For some schools, yes, in order to be eligible for merit aid you would need to complete the FAFSA form. As PP pointed out, this is to ensure that Federal money is not left on the table. While you would like to think that need aid is completely separate from merit aid, colleges often view it as the Offer Package.

So, in other words, I did make a mistake by not sending the FAFSA to the colleges. I filled it out, but couldn't think of a reason to send it to the colleges since it said our EFC was 90K.

How could Federal money be left on the table with an EFC of 90K?

Is there any way to remedy this? Can I send it to them now and ask them to reconsider? Or is it just too late?

It wouldn't be but without the FAFSA the colleges wouldn't know that. You would have to call each school and inquire if they would be willing to reconsider.

[Anonymous]

The short answer is it depends on the private school. Some require the FAFSA for merit aid while others require an essay plus GPA and SAT scores. Here is an example of why a school would require a FAFSA. Imagine a poor smart student. The school would first want to use Pell and other government subsidized grant $$ for this student BEFORE it took $$ from the merit fund pot. The student's cost of attendance (COA) would be the same, but the $$ came from different places.

[Anonymous]

What is the basis for the merit aid? What does your DC bring to the table? My DC had same scores and better grades and didn't get any offers. I'm not sure asking them to reconsider will make a difference. But instead of berating people here I would have your Dc call her first choice school and ask them about it.

[Anonymous]

We had a very similar situation. 3.8+ and 34 ACT. Filled out FAFSA and sent it to colleges despite EFC of $99,000 and stating not applying for financial aid. Plenty of merit aid offers from private schools, but if you are looking to get the pricing equivalent to state schools you are likely to be unhappy. Here is why they would give you (and us) "merit aid"--you are willing to pay actual cash dollars for the remainder of the bill. And if you pull up the college's common data set you will find that the average merit aid recipient still pays more than the average net revenue at the school.

I can guarantee at FAFSA EFC of $90k you are not going to qualify for federal funds, so all you can possibly receive is a tuition discount for your ability to pay. Your child, while qualified, is competing for the likely 1 full ride spot at most private schools. The rest of the qualified and well funded kids just have to have the parents pay the bill. If you are really looking for a tuition bill like a state school with that amount of EFC then you really should be looking at state schools. Just the way it is.