<p>I didn't submit a FAFSA since our EFC is 100% but I'm now, perhaps belatedly, wondering if I should send one to the schools my s was accepted to in order to be "in the pool" for possible unpublicized merit aid?? Am I leaving anything on the table by not submitting it? Am I too late? Would greatly appreciate any advice on this.</p>
<p>Check with the school, most do require the FAFSA for merit aid. It's probably too late now though.</p>
<p>My experience with the schools that my D applied to that do offer merit aid, is that all students are automatically considered for merit, with no application and no forms needed. Except Brandeis, which requires the CSS only. I guess you need to go to each web site, but I think you will find it unnecessary to file the FAFSA.</p>
<p>I would submit it. You have to submit it to be able to get unsubsidized Statfford loans (which you can get even if there is no 'need') so why not have it done 'just in case'.</p>
<p>Carpet,</p>
<p>Each year, regardless of EFC, you should submit the FAFSA for every child in college. You never know when family circumstances change - job loss, illness, whatever. Without filing the FAFSA before the college's stated deadline, you are missing out. </p>
<p>Even if nothing else is "available" to the family, the Stafford Unsubsidized loan is, which increases in dollar amount each year a student is in college. </p>
<p>I don't know which college your s is going to, but you need to file it. Even if you miss out on grants (which are usually state, first come, first served) you might still get a crack at the Stafford.</p>
<p>You can get the Stafford unsubsidized loan based on the CSS alone.</p>
<p>Learned something new ema - I did not know that.</p>
<p>I didn't even know it existed until it was included with the scholarship letter!</p>