<p>I am not applying for need based financial aid</p>
<p>but do i need to do fafsa/css if i am hoping to get either a) college based merit scholarships or b) outside scholarships to be used at a certain college?</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>a) If the merit scholarship is solely based on merit, with NO need component, then you USUALLY don't have to submit the FAFSA and the Profile to the school to be eligible. I say usually because I recall that there are some schools that require you to file for FA even though merit scholarships are not based on need, though I can't remember which schools or scholarships. Any school that wants FA documents for merit scholarships will clearly post this information on their website.</p>
<p>b) I don't know of any strictly merit based outside scholarships that require FA information to be submitted. This would be very difficult to do, as an outside scholarship can often be used at any school in the country.</p>
<p>There are actually many schools that require either the FAFSA and/or CSS to be considered for institutional merit based scholarships. Check with each individual school's FA dept to be sure.</p>
<p>Boston U requires both for merit consideration</p>
<p>
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a) If the merit scholarship is solely based on merit, with NO need component, then you USUALLY don't have to submit the FAFSA and the Profile to the school to be eligible.
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<p>
[quote]
Boston U requires both for merit consideration
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<p>I was curious so checked the BU website: </p>
<p>Other</a> Scholarships | Boston University Admissions</p>
<p>and</p>
<p>Apply</a> | Boston University Admissions</p>
<p>The Boston HS scholarship and the Founders state that they are for studnts that qualify for FA and so naturally require FAFSA and Profile. But for most of the other merit awards, including the Trustee, they don't require FA information. The Dean's merit scholarship is one that appears to be purely merit based but requires the FAFSA and Profile, it states:</p>
<p>"While recipients may have little or no calculated financial eligibility, their expected family contributions must not substantially exceed the cost of attendance. To be considered, students must file the CSS Profile and FAFSA..."</p>
<p>So, I would contend that there actually IS a need component to this award, and thus the requirement for FA information.</p>
<p>ento: that's a change from last year; thanks for the link...I have friends whose kids are applying....</p>
<p>So, it's only Trustee that's pure merit now? How many of those are given out? Rhetorical Q.....</p>
<p>NYU requires the fafsa to be considered for ANY scholarship. and they are one of the pricey privates that DON"T use the Css Profile.</p>
<p>And yes, NYU DOES give good scholarships (although they tend to be need based for student's whose 'merit' is worthy)</p>
<p>rodney,
There are just too many details to keep track of, and then they go and change things! Looks like they give 20 Trustee scholarships:</p>
<p>The</a> Trustee Scholars Program | Boston University Admissions</p>
<p><a href="although%20they%20tend%20to%20be%20need%20based%20for%20student's%20whose%20'merit'%20is%20worthy">quote</a>
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<p>sue, I had to laugh at this, it's so true. I wish if schools are going to take need into account that they'd just state it outright, then those students who won't qualify for need know where they stand and can triage which scholarships to spend their time on.</p>
<p>Boston University DOES require the completion of FAFSA/Profile for all but their "named" scholarships (presidential, trustee, MLK) but those also have special application requirements. Departmental scholarship wannabees MUST complete both forms. DS had a music performance award...and was required to complete BOTH forms for entering freshman year only. After that it was only the FAFSA.</p>
<p>Re: schools...and this requirement YOU NEED TO CALL THE SCHOOLS. Some schools require the completion of the finaid application forms for ALL aid and others do not. Check with each school individually.</p>
<p>should i be looking at the financial aid page for info regarding their specific needs?</p>