If you live in DC and you are considering public universities, to need to have filled out FAFSA to apply for DCTAG.

Anonymous wrote:Didn’t fill it out, got merit aid at several schools.

Us too

Didn’t fill it out, got merit aid at several schools.

Anonymous wrote:I don't know what schools these are but one college podcast I listen to mentioned that there are a few schools who would not consider students for aid in later years if the FAFSA wasn't filed freshman year. You never know when a financial setback/layoff might happen so could be worth asking schools on the list how they handle that.

This.

Also, some schools can't seem to manage if you don't go through their normal checklist. With DC1 we tried to not fill it out, and it became more of a hassle to not do it than to do it. Gave up after that.

Anonymous wrote:I don't know what schools these are but one college podcast I listen to mentioned that there are a few schools who would not consider students for aid in later years if the FAFSA wasn't filed freshman year. You never know when a financial setback/layoff might happen so could be worth asking schools on the list how they handle that.

I heard this. They don’t want people applying as full pay, stretch for freshman year and then saying we need a ton of aid for the next three years

I don't know what schools these are but one college podcast I listen to mentioned that there are a few schools who would not consider students for aid in later years if the FAFSA wasn't filed freshman year. You never know when a financial setback/layoff might happen so could be worth asking schools on the list how they handle that.

some schools give you a little money just for filing a fafsa

We filled out FAFSA and CSS profile. Submitted to private schools only.

Our HHI income is over $200,000. We still filled out the FAFSA so that 1) schools that take full pay into account would be aware that we are full pay and 2) some schools require it to calculate merit aid.

We also never filled it out and our kid got $25K in merit aid.

We did not waste time

To confirm that you would not be eligible for need-based aid, you can also check college Net Price Calculators, on their financial aid websites.

As mentioned, FAFSA is necessary to access federal student loans, and a few schools require FAFSA for non-need-based merit awards. Emphasis on FEW. Check the colleges in question.

(My three kids were awarded merit at multiple colleges. We have never filled out a financial aid form.)

If you would like your student to take out the minimal federal student loans, you will need to fill it out to access those.

Also, my DD's college is less that our EFC but they still offered her a "work study" job (that's tied to the FAFSA) which she will take advantage of. I know when I went to college the more desirable on-campus jobs went to work-study first so could be worthwhile for that.

The FAFSA is not hard to fill out.

Some schools require it for merit aid

My expected family contribution (EFC) came out to over 100k. Based on that is there any reason to fill out the FAFSA?

My kid is a HS Junior now. Just wondering how best to approach the financial piece of this. Would you just not indicate a need and not fill out any financial forms? Would it be advantageous to not fill it out and not indicate a need, don’t want to leave possible free money but I’m guessing that I’m not eligible for any financial need (hopefully can get some merit).