<p>@thumper1 - Yes, we have discussed this multiple times here! I’m counting *you *as one of (at most) five or so examples of true merit that required a FAFSA (or other financial disclosure). I believe that Erin’s Dad was another example. In both cases, it was clear from your individual schools that you would need to file financial disclosure in order to qualify. </p>
<p>But I think the “needle in a haystack comment stands.” Your two situations are remarkable in that they are so unusual; it’s really a very rare thing. At least, that’s according to what I’ve learned here.</p>
<p>I really don’t think appeals for alumni support after graduation are any different for those not receiving aid. We got tons of aid (very grateful…) and get tons of requests for $ now that D has graduated.</p>
<p>And I also know a family who didn’t qualify for any aid but S got a merit scholarship so they had to file FAFSA. Definitely do it. You never know.</p>
<p>We are in a similar situation. I emailed 8 schools that DD applied to and asked them if we should file. All said that we didn’t need to file to receive merit aid and that we could file next year if our situation changed. All but one said to file because they use a different calculation than FAFSA. I will file, but I’m not holding my breath.</p>
<p>*All scholarships are based on academic merit, but some scholarships also require financial need.
[ul]
[<em>] Your financial need may influence both your ability to receive a scholarship and the amount of the award.
[</em>] We determine financial need based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
[/ul]*</p>
<p>Miami offers merit-based FA, as well as pure merit. If you don’t file FAFSA, you won’t qualify for those scholarships that require need. OP doesn’t have “need” according to the colleges.</p>
<p>Nope. This is a really scary time to take out loans. Look at the unsubsidized loan rate vs. the rate of return on conservative investments. Good options are tough to find. For a $170k/yr family, my suggestion would be to look for merit dollars.</p>
<p>What if there is no merit money for their child, or not enough to cover the full cost of attendance?</p>
<p>And to chime, I had to complete the FAFSA every year at my private LAC to maintain my merit scholarship. It was 100% merit-based and not based on need.</p>
<p>Also, MisterK, nothing in what you found about Miami precludes a student needing to fill out a FAFSA for merit-based scholarships. My SO is applying to go back to college and I’ve visited the websites of several colleges that instruct students to fill out a FAFSA in order to be considered for merit based scholarships. I also remember that being the directions for my merit-based scholarships when I was applying to college in 2004 - I was a National Achievement Finalist and was offered full rides by a number of schools, but they ALL required that I complete a FAFSA to be eligible for their merit-only awards.</p>
<p>If you look around Miami’s website further (as I just did), you’ll find that FAFSA is required for some scholarships, but not all.</p>
<p>juillett, many folks don’t know whether they’re receiving pure merit, merit-based need, or some combination. The schools aren’t very clear about it, and for folks with demonstrated need, it doesn’t really matter - money is money. But for someone in daylilies’ position (the OP), it’s a legitimate question. She(?) won’t want to waste time applying for “merit” for which she’s ineligible.</p>
<p>In order to find schools with pure merit, daylilies will need to carefully research, read the websites, and probably call to ask further questions. Sometimes the admissions folks won’t even be aware of their own policies, i.e., what is need, what is merit, and whether disclosure of financial info is required. That’s certainly what I discovered; you need to ask questions until you find someone who knows. </p>
<p>I researched close to 20 schools over the past year, and encountered several admissions folks that claimed FAFSA (or Profile) was required for all merit consideration. It turned out that not a single school actually had that policy. There are surely a few - but very, very few.</p>
<p>
You asked that with regard to the expensive unsubsidized loans. It’s a tough question, one that everybody will need to answer according to their own values. First off, everybody needs a financial safety. Beyond that, these forums show that merit dollars are attainable if you’re willing to drop down a level. For me personally, I would stick with what I could afford, and keep the loans at a minimal level - especially given these rates. Other folks will decide differently.</p>