<p>My son just applied to a bunch of colleges for Fall 2007. A number of applications asked if he will be applying for financial aid. Our family income is fairly high (high EFC) so he answered 'No' thinking he'll never qualify for need based aid. Does this put us out of running for merit scholarships as well? </p>
<p>My second question is should we file FAFSA to qualify for merit scholarships?</p>
<p>First question - I think it depends on the school. You should make sure that if the school offers merit scholarships, they don't also require you to fill out FAFSA. Some schools do, some don't. There are different theories (or rumors) about this. One is that maybe they prefer to give out need-based aid before they give out their merit awards, leaving them money left over to lure kids that don't qualify for aid. Anyway, it might require a few phone calls.</p>
<p>Second question - Well, in theory, you shouldn't have to (unless they require it!). We too have a very high EFC and yet both sons received merit scholarships prior to us filling out any forms. However, at least one of the schools for son #2 (high school senior just applying now) requires us to fill out FAFSA if he plans on collecting the award.</p>
<p>So, I guess maybe you should play it safe and fill it out. Son #1 (who is a college sophomore) receives a merit award that does not require FAFSA, and we don't file anything for him, but we did fill it out the year he was applying to schools.</p>
<p>Thanks, weenie, for your quick reply. I think we'll file FAFSA. My worry right now is that we said 'No' in the college application to the question about whether we'll be applying for financial aid. Was that a stupid thing to do? Should we contact the colleges and say we made a mistake and that we'll applying for financial aid after all?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>^ Hmmm. I have no idea about that. Sorry.</p>