<p>Do you need to fill out the FAFSA in order to receive merit aid? My friend's son is from a wealthy family and they do not believe they'd be eligible for financial aid, but wonder if they need to fill out the FAFSA in order to him to receive merit aid? The college guidance counselor didn't know the answer and directed the family to the FAFSA website, but they still couldn't figure it out. Does anyone know the answer? Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>they'll have to check the sites of each school they are interested in. D had to fill Fafsa every year for her merit aid even though we werent eligible,but others she knew at different schools didnt have to.</p>
<p>Thanks for getting back to me. I'll let them know.</p>
<p>I actually asked why the FAFSA was necessary (I asked a personal friend who is a finaid person at a nearby university). She said...the universities that award merit aid want to know if the person qualifies for any federal aid programs (Perkins, etc). My son has merit ONLY aid at his college. We needed to file the FAFSA every year to get that award. Also we wanted our kiddos to have some college expense responsibility and the Stafford loan program is available only to those who file the FAFSA. It is a good low interest loan in the student's name. And lastly...while no one wants to think about this...if something catastrophic happens to a family's income, they may need to appeal their finaid situation to the college. If a parent becomes ill, there are huge medical expenses for a family member, there is job loss...the LAST thing you will want to do is file the FAFSA. Better to have it there and done in case you need it.</p>
<p>hi, for ivy league colleges, is a Canadian student ellegible to fill out the FAFSA?</p>