<p>Do you need to fill out a fafsa form to recieve merit aid or only need-based aid?</p>
<p>neither, or both. Depends on the school. In theory, you can get School need-based aid from the school without the FASFA, but you can't get Federal need-based aid without it. Some schools want the FAFSA even for merit aid.</p>
<p>Operadad is right on. Check with the schools to which you are applying.</p>
<p>3 of the 4 privates that my daughter applied to gave a Merit Award amount before they saw our FAFSA. They all want to see it before a final award letter that includes need based aid. I believe at least 3 of them have Institutional need based aid in addition to Federal.</p>
<p>DJD</p>