When I emailed the financial aid office, they said that it was required for “federal and institutional aid”, but I’m not sure if that means that merit aid is included.
Many schools want the FASFA completed for merit aid. I would just fill it out.
Fill it out. Better be safe than sorry.
Both the FAFSA and CSS MUST be filled out. Better safe than sorry.
Institutional aid is another way of saying the money is coming from the school, which is merit aid and/or need based aid. You need to fill out the forms or they will not give the merit aid coming from the school.
@RyanG1207, my daughter was awarded a merit scholarship at Fordham without filing the FAFSA. However, a few of the merit scholarships do have a need component as well, and you will be awarded the higher end of the range if you have need as well as the statistics for merit. If you decide to attend Fordham, you need to file the FAFSA to claim any merit award.
Daughter received the National Merit scholarship. Her first year we had to complete the CCS profile and FAFSA. Now the only paper work requirement to keep the scholarship is to complete the FAFSA on time. It is documented in the award letter.
Most private schools do not require either for merit aid consideration. To be safe call the admissions office.
My S graduated from Fordham a few years ago. He was offered merit aid without the FAFSA being filed, but in order to actually get the scholarship we had to fill out the FAFSA. Not sure if that is still the case. Seems to me a quick call to Admissions and/or the Office of Financial Aid would give you the answer with 100% certainty.
And if it isn’t required, make sure the FA office knows you are not going file. D’s school waited for the FAFSA to post all the FA awards, even ones that didn’t require it. Just let them know so there isn’t a delay.