<p>your EFC is for the year for which you are applying.</p>
<p>well, this is an essay contest, but it is a great contest: <a href="http://www.holocaust.hklaw.com%5B/url%5D">www.holocaust.hklaw.com</a> It's tough, but if you win, it's a hell of a deal. (I was one of the top 10 last year, and I wasn't expecting it--you never know!) My essay is from Southfield, MI.</p>
<p>"One school (I don't remember which one) required FAFSA even for scholarship money that was based solely on merit."</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon requires a financial aid application for one scholarship that's only for people who don't qualify for financial aid. It's to prove you don't.</p>
<p>"One school (I don't remember which one) required FAFSA even for scholarship money that was based solely on merit."</p>
<p>Lots of schools require the FAFSA for merit aid. DS has a merit scholarship only. For renewal, he must complete the FAFSA annually and keep a certain GPA. His school also requires the CSS Profile, but that does not need to be completed annually for receipt of merit aid...it must be completed only if you think your financial situation will change and you might qualify for need based aid also. As Strick stated, the requirement to complete the FAFSA is so that the university will know if you qualify for government grants such as the Pell. In many cases, merit aid is reduced by these need based grants.</p>
<p>If you are self-employed, fill out the FAFSA early in January using the numbers from the prior years income tax forms...1040, sched C, etc. If you think there may be a dramatic difference, then adjust accrdingly. I also always do the estimates in very round numbers, $25,000, $1,000, etc., so that it is pretty apparent it is an estimate. This saves your place in line at the school. Once your tax return is complete, update the FAFSA, and be prepared to send a copy to the school for verification. Do not play that tax game of filing in August, that does not work with FAFSA $.</p>