<p>If you don't think that you'll qualify for financial aid based on high family income, is there any need to fill up the FAFSA? Will the schools hold up admission decisions if FAFSA is not filed?</p>
<p>nope, not necessary. most schools recommend filing anyway (even if you think u won’t qualify for any aid) because you won’t know–and can’t receive any financial help-- unless you fill out the form…</p>
<p>not filing has no impact on admissions decisions.</p>
<p>yep, agree with calimami–it’s completely optional
for some schools, filing could potentially affect admissions decisions
make sure the college is need-blind
for example, WashU does factor need into decisions
if you’re sure you don’t qualify and it’s not a need-blind school, i think it’d be best not to file
no harm at a need-blind school tho</p>
<p>If you fill out the FAFSA, you’ll qualify for a loan at an interest rate that should make any prudent person stop dead in their tracks. But here in the USA, our widespread innumeracy problem pretty much guarantees plenty of customers each year, so demand will stay artificially high, in support of the college cost bubble.</p>
<p>So, no reason to fill out the FAFSA.</p>
<p>Some colleges will require you to fill out the FAFSA (and Profile if they use that) to receive a merit aid award. In that case the FA dept will tell you.</p>
<p>for most schools, your interpretation of whether or not you need aid is different from the school’s interpretation of whether or not we needed aid.</p>
<p>At some schools, that may work in your favor.</p>
<p>eg, my husband was sure we wouldn’t qualify for need-based aid. D is at Pton, and Pton decided we could only afford 50-60% of COA (and gave grants to cover the rest).</p>
<p>thanks folks, you’ve been helpful. The funny thing is that I have not seen a website in university admissions that states that FAFSA is not required (ie optional). They simply refer to the paperwork, making us think that we need to do this.</p>
<p>*Some colleges will require you to fill out the FAFSA (and Profile if they use that) to receive a merit aid award. In that case the FA dept will tell you. *</p>
<p>In another thread, Erin’s Dad actually had a real example of a school that requires financial info for true merit aid. But that is exceedingly rare - his was the only example that really held up, as I recall. However, many people like to believe that their kids’ “scholarships” are merit.</p>
<p>*thanks folks, you’ve been helpful. The funny thing is that I have not seen a website in university admissions that states that FAFSA is not required (ie optional). They simply refer to the paperwork, making us think that we need to do this. *</p>
<p>You don’t need to do it, and my advice would be not to. There are strong security and privacy arguments against disclosing personal financial information. If you don’t qualify for FA, just skip it. In particular, if your parents don’t qualify for FA, they’ll surely realize that these unsubsidized loans are offered at very poor terms.</p>
<p>One important thing to check. Some schools will NOT allow you to apply for institutional aid in subsequent years if you don’t APPLY (note…apply…not accept, or need) for aid as an incoming freshman.</p>