Do we have to fill out the FASFA to apply or qualify for merit scholarships?

[YoHoYoHo]

<p>DS 2015 will be applying for college in the fall. We won't qualify for any need based aid. We are hoping for possibly some merit aid at some regional schools based on his ACT score of 35. Do we have to fill out the FASFA to apply or qualify for merit scholarships? Does it vary by college? </p>

[GMTplus7]

<p>It does vary. For U Mich u do have to. </p>

[thumper1]

<p>Depends on the school. </p>

[mom2collegekids]

<p>Depends. some do, many dont.</p>

<p>How much merit are you looking for? How much do you want to pay each year?</p>

<p>Many top schools either dont give any merit, or have highly competitive awards because they have too many students with perfect/near-perfect stats. Some top schools use their merit awards to snag some students that help them with gender, regional, or ethnic diversity.</p>

<p>for larger awards (such as half or free tuition), look at schools where a 35 is in the top 2-5% of the school.</p>

<p>There are some schools that give ASSURED merit for stats, so you may want to include some so that you know FOR SURE that he will have some back-up schools that you know he’ll get enough merit.</p>

[twoinanddone]

<p>Many schools/state programs used to require it. Florida did for Bright Futures. However, that changed this year and I think the Dept of Ed might have told them they can’t require it anymore.</p>

<p>It is a very easy form to fill out, and no reason for you not to. One school we looked at, Stetson, gives a $1000 bonus for filling it out before 2/15 (first year only).</p>

[SlitheyTove]

<p>Call the schools and ask. </p>

[4kidsdad]

<p>

We won’t qualify for any need based aid … Do we have to fill out the FASFA to apply or qualify for merit scholarships?

It depends on the schools and the scholarships. For example, Unviersity at Buffalo:

Is financial need or cost of attendance considered in the scholarship decision?</p>

<p>While financial need is not generally a component of our decision to offer merit-based aid, university financial aid awards will reflect available funding based upon student need. Students are also encouraged to learn about the Daniel Acker Scholars Program, which provides support to high-achieving students with financial need; to students from rural or urban areas; to first-generation college students; and/or to students who have demonstrated their ability to contribute to the cultural diversity of the university.

</p>

[suzy100]

<p>m2ck: " for larger awards (such as half or free tuition), look at schools where a 35 is in the top 2-5% of the school."</p>

<p>How do you do that? I’ve only seen the 25%/75% range published.</p>

[4kidsdad]

<p>

We are hoping for possibly some merit aid at some regional schools based on his ACT score of 35.

What’s the GPA? For example, Univ of Alabama:

Presidential Scholar</p>

<p>A first-time freshman student who meets the December 15 scholarship priority deadline, has a 32–36 ACT or 1400–1600 SAT score (critical reading and math scores only) and at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA will be selected as a Presidential Scholar and will receive the value of tuition or $95,800 over four years ($23,950 per year).

</p>

[YoHoYoHo]

<p>Unfortunately, gpa is 3.22 UNWTD and 3.48 WTD at elite private school ( 4 APs thru jr, 6 APs / 1 H thru sr).
Will be looking at regional private schools (eg chapman or Champlain) for merit scholarships and maybe some LACs.</p>

[cptofthehouse]

<p>YoHo, with our kids, no FAFSAs were needed for any of the merit awards offered. But YMMV. There are some that do so require them, and things change, so do check before applying. Also make sure you check for any separate apps and deadlines for some of the awards. Also find out what the largest merit awards are that a school offers and about how many students get that amount in past years. If a school only offers small dollar amounts in merit to only a handful of kids, another school that is more generous that way might be a good replacement on the college list.</p>

[AZ2019]

I asked the financial aid office at University of Michigan and they said you do not have to apply for FASFA for merit aid

[taskmstrx]

I always asked and got it in writing from the schools that no Fafsa was needed for our kids’ merit money . One school did give $500/year for filling it out but they’ve now stopped doing that.

[MaineLonghorn]

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