<p>i got this message when i checked yes for need-based financial aid</p>
<p>"Federal law requires you to provide your social security number on your federal forms to be considered for financial aid. Colleges request that you also include your social security number on your application (Page 1). This number is used to verify your identity and retrieve your record. Most institutions require you apply for federal student financial aid before you can be considered for institutional need-based aid."</p>
<p>Just assume that you do (unless you are an International student in which case you cannot apply for federal aid and will not be expected to). </p>
<p>The overwhelming majority of schools will expect you to apply for federal aid in addition to completing their institutional need based applications. Most schools that require Profile also require FAFSA. I don't know of any schools off hand that do not expect you to apply for Federal aid though I have heard that there are one or two schools that do not accept federal money (I don't know who they are).</p>