I am fortunate enough to live in a family that makes a substantial income ($1M+) so I decided earlier I would not apply for any merit-based scholarships to avoid taking from someone else who may have needed it more. However, many schools I am applying to, such as UT-Austin, automatically consider all applicants for Merit-Based scholarships. I have heard that you still HAVE to file a FAFSA in order to even be considered for these despite them being merit-based. Is this true?
You will need to check each university’s website or contact admissions because policies vary.
As noted…check the schools…there are a small number that require the fafsa even for merit aid consideration. But really…that is the exception rather than the rule.