Anonymous wrote:We make >$300K and assets over $2M (non-retirement, non-house) and will not qualify for need-based aid (we tested this on a couple of school websites).

Is there a point in checking the "need aid" box in the common app? Does not checking that box help with admissions (because it tells the schools we are full pay, albeit with no choice)?

Hi. I called schools about this question, with somewhat similar assets (not $2k but still a fair amt).

In the end, the answers varied and at least one school said regarding merit aid this could make a negative difference if my kid were marginal. Since I wasn't in a position to pay the full $70k without some merit, we checked off for them that we wanted to be considered for merit aid. My kid got in and got enough merit to make it competitive for us.

Truly, the only answer anyone can give you is to ask yourself if you would be influenced by that merit aid, and then call each school and ask. They will talk to you about their rules.

And even if someone on this list identified the school their kid is at, it doesn't matter because a) they were talking about a different year, and b) you can't trust a random internet voice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We did not fill out the FAFSA and one of my kids got merit offers anyway. That may vary by school of course.

It does vary by school. Some of the places my kid applied required it for merit aid, some didn't. Where he landed requires it every year to keep the money coming..

Does us all a favor and identify the school.

Do your own homework.

DP here.

First, that is not an easily searchable item, as it is not in the CDS.

Second, PP and P-PP were essentially calling shenanigans on you, so the burden of proof...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We did not fill out the FAFSA and one of my kids got merit offers anyway. That may vary by school of course.

It does vary by school. Some of the places my kid applied required it for merit aid, some didn't. Where he landed requires it every year to keep the money coming..

Does us all a favor and identify the school.

Do your own homework.

DCUM peeps are not allowed to disclose specific school. Didn't you read the non-disclosure agreement?

Anonymous wrote:My son's merit aid is contingent on me filling out the FAFSA every year.

PLEASE IDENTIFY THE SCHOOL.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We did not fill out the FAFSA and one of my kids got merit offers anyway. That may vary by school of course.

It does vary by school. Some of the places my kid applied required it for merit aid, some didn't. Where he landed requires it every year to keep the money coming..

Does us all a favor and identify the school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Generally, no reason to file FAFSA.

Very few colleges offer merit scholarships that involve a full-pay applicant to rule out Pell eligibility by filing FAFSA. Check the scholarship webpage of the colleges on your list to make sure.

My kid is at a big ten school and it was required every year for merit aid. We did not qualify for any Pell eligibility by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Do everyone a favor and identify the school.

Anonymous wrote:Generally, no reason to file FAFSA.

Very few colleges offer merit scholarships that involve a full-pay applicant to rule out Pell eligibility by filing FAFSA. Check the scholarship webpage of the colleges on your list to make sure.

My kid is at a big ten school and it was required every year for merit aid. We did not qualify for any Pell eligibility by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Anonymous wrote:We did not fill out the FAFSA and one of my kids got merit offers anyway. That may vary by school of course.

It does vary by school. Some of the places my kid applied required it for merit aid, some didn't. Where he landed requires it every year to keep the money coming..

My son's merit aid is contingent on me filling out the FAFSA every year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the FAFSA required if you request DC TAG funds?

NP-- I was told yes. That's why we will do it.

I

They give it to families making up to $1 M!

Anonymous wrote:Is the FAFSA required if you request DC TAG funds?

NP-- I was told yes. That's why we will do it.

Is the FAFSA required if you request DC TAG funds?

We did not fill out the FAFSA and one of my kids got merit offers anyway. That may vary by school of course.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Related question. Please answer if you know.

If my EFC is 40k, and child will be attending in state school with COA of 30k, but I can't afford 30k---- will my child be offered the need based stafford loans, the ones where the government pays the interest along the way? Or only the other non need based stafford loans? Thanks!

Use the college's Net Price Calculator to see a detailed estimate. This can be found on the college's financial aid website. You can't rely on FAFSA EFC to know what a specific college will Too.

I hope he qualifies for that 5k per year in loans. We cn pay around 20k per year, but dont want to borrow. Too old to pay them back. And part time job canget the other 5k.