<p>Many schools are requiring financial aid applications to be considered for small merit scholarships. If your daughter applies to schools where she is in the top 20% of applicants, I have heard that schools will either meet any need, or offer merit scholarships. Some state schools also give merit scholarships based on tests and/or rank in class. I think schools need the FAFSA, so they can meet the federal requirements - they can’t give federal aid to students who don’t need it, but they can give merit scholarships. Also, I think some loan programs require a FAFSA regardless of whether you qualify for aid.</p>