<p>Should I apply for financial aid if my parents' combined income is more than 400k a year?</p>
<p>If you are the type of student who might get merit aid, and if your school(s) give merit aid, then your family's income will not be a factor. If you are applying for outside merit aid scholarships, same thing. Many, if not most, if not all, merit aid awards need you to fill out FAFSA regardless of income. So, yes, file FAFSA (which, by the way, will not be available until after January 1). If you are inquiring about need-based aid, I would say, no, you probably will not qualify.</p>
<p>If you are not applying for any merit or need based awards AND you have unlimited resources should your family have some financial crisis (loss of job, high medical expenses, etc)...no...you don't have to apply for financial aid.</p>
<p>However, as noted above...many schools require the finaid applications for all awards, even merit awards. And also many schools will not allow you to apply for institutional aid in subsequent years if you do not apply as a freshman. Check your school(s)'s policies.</p>
<p>And lastly, do your parents plan to contribute to your college expenses? Please have a discussion with them about that. Even families with high incomes sometimes limit the amount they will spend on college expenses.</p>