I didn’t want to hijack the other thread, because the topic seems to be very similar. DS is pushing for us to help fill out the FAFSA form. I have run the Net price calculators and know that we will not qualify for any financial aid. I am aware that certain schools will require FAFSA to be submitted in order to qualify for merit scholarships. I have checked with most of the schools that he is applying to and I don’t believe any of the schools on his list require FAFSA/CSS profile for merit scholarships. We are concerned about privacy as a close family member had their identity stolen. Is there any other benefit to filing the form, or should we just forgo it altogether?
If you don’t expect to qualify for any aid (except loans), you don’t have to fill it out. You can always fill it out later in the year if it turns out a scholarship or grant does require it.
If he wants federal loans you need to fill it out. Also, some schools specify on their website that you can’t ask for aid in future years if you don’t apply for it initially. So if you take a financial hit (layoff, illness, economic downturn), you could wish that you had done it.
We will not require loans. Sorry, I’m completely new to this.
I’m going to stick my neck out here. While identity theft is a concern, I have never heard about identity theft due to filing financial aid forms.
That being said, if your income is above $150,000 a year, and you can pay the full prices of attendance for you kiddo without any consideration for need based institutional age…then don’t bother filing.
WHY is your son pushing you to fill it out?? That seems odd when you’re willing to pay
He’s under the impression that he has to fill it out, or he will not qualify for scholarships. Plus, I believe his school counselors were advising most parents to fill it out.
How about running the EFC calculator on Collegeboard website with him. Confirming that the schools don’t require FAFSA and then show him that you won’t qualify for any aid and don’t need to take out loans.
Maybe he would like to take the Direct Loan…or at least have the option of doing so.
Have him look at his schools’ scholarship websites and see if FAFSA is req’d. At most schools, it is NOT req’d.
What are his schools?
He might be getting pressure from his counselors. Obama had a big push for everyone to fill out the fafsa about two years ago and some high schools were giving prizes for doing so, the schools were competing against each other to have the most filled out, to have 100% compliance. A few colleges give out a bonus if you fill it out.
Ask your son why it means so much to him. He may have a good reason for wan ting to get it filed out.
Yes, I remember one school offering $1,000 for filling it out (and, of course, enrolling at the school).
Schools he will probably be applying to:
UCs
LMU
Occidental
USC
USF
University of Washington
Definitely fill it out! You should still have lots of time to do so. You never know what you could get from it. I am currently applying to colleges also, and some of the schools I applied to require you to have a FAFSA submitted to accept merit aid and other scholarships. It will definitely do more help than hurt!