<p>I've read everywhere that it's a good idea to submit the FAFSA even if you think you don't qualify for financial aid. But my dad seems to think that all the FAFSA will do is hurt us. I've already received scholarships from 2 of the colleges I've applied to and my dad seems to think that by submitting the FAFSA, the colleges will lessen the scholarship money they offer me or do something of the sort. He thinks we should wait and see what other colleges offer me in terms of scholarships. We've already watched one FAFSA deadline fly by. The deadline for the other 3 colleges I've applied to is March 15 - less than a month away. He's considering not submitting the FAFSA for my number one college, which worries me. </p>
<p>How can I convince him otherwise? SHOULD I be trying to convince him otherwise? What should I tell him? Advice would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>“By submitting the FAFSA, the colleges will lessen the scholarship money they offer me or do something of the sort”</p>
<p>If you received merit scholarships, then there is no reason why the schools would take back the money if you apply for financial aid. HOWEVER, any scholarship money that you take will likely be deducted from the total amount of aid that you WOULD have received WITHOUT the scholarships. </p>
<p>For example, if you qualify for $20,000 in financial aid but have a $10,000 scholarship from a certain school, then the school would likely give you only $10,000 in financial aid. Conversely, if you apply for aid from a different school where you got no scholarships at all, then the school would likely give you all $20,000 worth of aid. And financial aid never exceeds the cost of attendance.</p>
<p>And like zoosermom said: Would you be able to afford the schools regardless of how much aid you get? When do your other schools release their admission decisions, and will you get scholarship notifications before the FAFSA deadlines?</p>
<p>Are you full pay? Zoosermom’s question is important. Are you applying for financial aid? Or are you just filling out FAFSA for the federal loans that you would then be eligible for? Do you have any idea what your EFC is, approximately? </p>
<p>The colleges will not lower your scholarship money due to filing FAFSA or showing need. If your schools are not need blind and you have requested finacial aid on your application, not sending the FAFSA can delay and even jeopardize your acceptance. In fact, at any school if you have checked the financial aid box and not sent in the required aid forms, you are going to be gumming up the works on your acceptance package. You need to let the schools know if you changed your mind if you have, or get your forms in.</p>
<p>I never heard of a school reducing scholarship offers after seeing FAFSA. </p>
<p>Your dad’s logic is flawed. If you don’t submit FAFSA, wouldn’t a school then just assume that you’re high income? If a school was going to take away scholarship money if you’re high income, and you don’t submit FAFSA, then wouldn’t they assume that you don’t need the merit money? </p>
<p>Scholarships are offered for stats. Your school obviously doesn’t require FAFSA for the award, so submitting FAFSA won’t hurt your scholarship.</p>
<p>I’m more concerned as to whether OP checked the little box on the applications that indicated s/he was going to apply for aid. If it was checked, not sending in FAFSA and PROFILE is, at least, going to slow down processing at some point at the college. If the box was not checked the student may not be considered for financial aid even if the FAFSA is submitted. The fin aid office may not put together a package for the student as they often get the list of who gets packages from admissions who compiles the list out of the accepted students who have checked the little box. Little box, but there is a reason for checking it or not. And, the plot deepens if any of the schools are need aware with admissions.</p>