I’ve read various topics on this, as well as information from other websites. The consensus on FAFSA is to file regardless of income or EFC. So, we did file, though I am reluctant to share so much financial information if it won’t result in any aid. For this reason, so far we have only shared with our state school, Illinois/UIUC, which seems to be a top choice right now and is likely to be affordable even without federal aid.
Most advice seems to indicate that there are non-need based grants and scholarships that require FAFSA, especially in-state. Others imply that if you may need aid in a future year, like when our 2nd child will be in college at the same time, that you must file for every prior year as well. Even so, I haven’t yet found any specific examples of such grants, scholarships or requirements at school websites or elsewhere online. There’s even less information in regard to filing CSS Profile if no need-based aid is expected the first year. I’ve even contacted a couple schools who sent emails that said you should file early for these reasons, even if you don’t expect to receive aid, but neither could not cite any actual aid or requirements of this nature.
So, is there any disadvantage to holding off on sending additional FAFSA reports to other schools, or holding off on filing the CSS Profile at all, prior to receiving any acceptance and possible merit aid packages? Could we simply complete these and send them to the chosen school once his choice is made? Of the schools where he is likely to apply, none seem to indicate that consideration for merit aid requires a FAFSA/Profile. For that reason, we are also wondering if we should simply check the “Decline” option on the common app for need-based aid, unless that precludes us from requesting financial aid in future years. I’ve even read that this can be beneficial at some schools when merit based aid is considered, so it’s all somewhat confusing.
Thanks in advance for any opinions especially if you’ve been in a similar situation! I know it’s related to my previous thread a couple months ago, but it’s a somewhat different concern.
Can your family afford to pay the full fare at whatever colleges your children choose to go to, without the kids having to take out student loans or getting other grants? If so you, then you do not need to fill out any financial aid applications if you don’t want to (unless you happen to be seeking some merit scholarship or outside scholarships from grantors who for whatever reason request that you do so).
The short version: some schools and outside scholarships require FAFSA submission to be considered for merit based awards. Those that do should explicitly state this requirement.
A limited number of schools will not consider a request for need-based aid in future years if an application for financial aid is not submitted as an incoming freshman. Again, schools that have this policy should make note of it on their financial aid web page, although you may have to look carefully to find it. Or you can always just call or email the FA office to get a direct answer.
We filled it out because some of my daughter’s schools require FAFSA and CSS for merit aide.
Colfac92, yes,or very close for the state schools. The privates would require some merit aid package for him to attend without considerable debt, or considerable additional work during school/summers or finding any outside scholarships. Though we may well qualify for need based aid in future years given our situation, we can’t depend on it.
I’m leaning to not filing CSS Profile or sending FAFSA to additional schools unless we can determine for certain it is required for some reason. So far, it doesn’t seem to be, but it’s definitely good advice to contact them individually once he decides to apply.
socalmom007 may I ask which ones please?
I am not sure which schools, I can ask my husband. Academics are my job, finances are his job in our college searches. I would ask the schools directly if they require FAFSA, CSS, or any other forms for consideration of merit aide.
We are filing both as well. For merit aid safety, future income change safety and to ensure we are covered /consistent for the years we have more than one in college at the same time.
If you think you or your student may want a loan at any point in time. File.
This is not true. Each of your kids is separate when it comes to the awarding of need based aid. Even if you NEVER apply for kid one, kid two can still apply.
Regarding kid one…there are a handful of schools that do place restrictions on institutional aid funding in subsequent years if you don’t apply as an incoming student. But there aren’t a lot of those. Just check the college websites to see. This is more commonly an issue for international students. But it’s only for institutional aid…federally funded aid is available to you regardless of if you apply freshman year or not (if you are a U.S. citizen or green card holder).
Some schools do require the filing of financial aid application forms for merit aid to be awarded. My kids’ schools had this requirement. So we filed the forms.
You need to clearly look at the filing deadlines for each of your colleges. In my opinion, you want to adhere to those filing dates if you decide to send the FAFSA and Profile. Do NOT wait until acceptance. You never know…your kid could be eligible for something…and if you wait until after acceptances in April, you likely will not have a financial,aid award to see before the May 1 date for choosing a college.
I actually had this same question last year for my D and was getting notices about deadlines for filing for CSS. Because we are clearly above any cutoff for financial aid,could afford full pay for all schools for 4 yrs, and would not be needing any loans, I called one of the schools ( Santa Clara U) to make sure it wouldnt affect merit offers–they initially gave me the standard" go file anyway", but when I gave them actual figures ( income/assets) , etc, they then told me it wouldnt be necessary, so we didnt bother to do both Fafsa and CSS . It didnt stop her from getting merit offers from many privates (Santa Clara U, LMU, boston C, etc) as well as publics ( UCs) .