<p>"Looking for FA, scholarships, "
-Do not worry, it is part of regular application process, most of Merit awards are automatic. However, pay attention for any required info from your parents. At D’s UG, they strongly recommend to file FASFA for full rnage of MERIT awards. We filed it religiously with great results despite of fact that we are not anywhere close to qualify for any need based. You are not in a position to file FASFA, only your parents can do it. My advice is to involve your parents whenever it is required, it might result in much higher Merit awards.</p>
<p>^yeah, let your parents do the FAFSA and CSS profile. My parents wanted me to do it, and now I realize I might’ve typed up something wrong (not understanding terms like equity, etc.), which could mean a lot of money either way. I’m gonna let them do the FAFSA and CSS for next academic year, or at least do the whole thing with them supervising.</p>
<p>Mustingore: </p>
<p>Most college aid is provided by the individual colleges to students who they really want to attend their college. If you are towards the top of the applicant pool of a college, many will offer merit scholarships. Some are automatic and the standards are listed on their financial aid website.</p>
<p>Try to apply to some colleges that meet close to 100% need. Also, apply to some in-state public financial safeties.</p>
<p>People can spend a great deal of time applying for national scholarships and end up frustrated. If you go after national scholarships, it is better to look for ones that are less well known and where you have some unique qualifications.</p>
<p>It typically is easier to win local scholarships and scholarships given inside your own high school. However, they often are for smaller amounts and may be a one-time only gift.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help :). I do know how the merit aid works, so I guess what I should have said is search for local scholarships haha. And yes, I know financial forms need to be filled out by the parents, but my dad has great difficulty understanding how to do these things. We already talked about it and when the time comes he’ll give me whatever forms are needed and answer any questions on the forms, but I’ll be the one behind the computer. And yes, most of the colleges I’m applying to either meet full need or close to it, and the only one that doesn’t is a school in which I’m in very good standing for merit aid (I attend the school now through a duel enrollment program). I did my research, and luckily I have a wonderful guidance councilor.</p>