<p>My family's income is too high to qualify for need-based aid. If I am looking to receive some form of a merit-based scholarship, what are the requirements for doing so?(i.e. do I still need to file FAFSA if I receive merit-based aid?)</p>
<p>Varies by the school and the scholarship. Take a look at some of the schools you are considering and search for merit scholarship. If you are applying this year, you need to get on this fast, as many have special deadlines.</p>
<p>If you are looking for later, start looking now for schools with merit scholarships. There are some threads here on CC that discuss them.</p>
<p>One thing that I have read in many places, heard from many people - even if you think (or believe) you won't get need-based aid, don't skip filling and submitting the FAFSA. Just submit.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Some schools require the filing of the FAFSA and (if they require it) the Profile for the consideration of all financial aid, even merit based aid. There are some schools that don't require the form(s) for merit aid only. There are some schools that require the form(s) for most merit aid and all need based aid, but have a few highly selective scholarships that do not require the finaid forms. As mentioned above, you will have to check EACH school for the specific requirements for that school. There is a lot of variation. Re: deadlines...the deadlines for some of the selective merit scholarships may have already gone by (December 1). That is also, however, not a universal dropdead date. It varies by school. For these "early" priority scholarships, you have to complete whatever the school says needs to be done by the date (e.g. the Profile is currently available for filing and some schools require this for priority consideration). The FAFSA is NOT available for filing until January 1, 2008.</p>