<p>bump this thread - if academic awards at a school are supposed to be based on merit (academics, leadership,etc.), would submitting the FAFSA with a high EFC possibly lower the amount of merit given? Or do the admissions people who award merit usually never see the EFC?</p>
<p>At my DS’s school, the merit aid is based upon a grid - GPA and ACT. No impact.</p>
<p>Cocoa123, I have been pondering this same question. I know our EFC is too high for financial aid. The school said it will send out merit award notices with financial aid packages. I do not want to tell them our EFC because I am afraid they will think we can afford more than we really can. I just read in fine print to let the financial aid office know if you want be filing the FAFSA. DS cannot attend this school if he doesn’t receive a decent merit scholarship. He went to a scholarship competition day for the presidential scholarship but I don’t know what is chances are for receiving one.</p>