<p>I am weary of applying for FA b/c of the impact it might have on admissions. My family makes around $300K and I have three siblings. Is it worth checking the "apply for FA" box? Will I even get that much FA? Thanks.</p>
<p>You are unlikely to get any need-based aid except a student loan. You do not need to check the “apply for FA” box for that. (You can call the school to confirm that.) After you’re admitted, you would fill out a FAFSA and automatically be approved for an unsubsidized loan. </p>
<p>Of course, you may be able to get merit aid at some schools. You should find out what the colleges you’re interested in require to be considered for merit aid.</p>
<p>It’s unlikely you’d get a cent unless there is a very unusual situation.</p>
<p>If all three of you are in college at the same time and get into HYPS, maybe you would get a bit of aid if there are not significant assets on top of the salaries.</p>
<p>If your family has extraordinary medical bills not covered by insurance. Maybe.</p>
<p>But the typical family bringing in $300K will not get anything but an unsubsidized loan which anyone can get.</p>
<p>There’s always merit aid.</p>
<p>matlas,</p>
<p>You need to investigate each institution’s policies about merit aid. Some will require that you file the FAFSA in order to be considered for merit aid. Most won’t. This is just a record-keeping issue, your FAFSA results won’t be a barrier for you receiving merit aid if you qualify for that aid.</p>
<p>2Collegewego is right…you don’t have to check the FA box if all you’re going to be doing is applying for the small $5500 student loan. Of course, that won’t pay much of a $55k per year school. </p>
<p>*I am weary of applying for FA b/c of the impact it might have on admissions. My family makes around $300K and I have three siblings. Is it worth checking the “apply for FA” box? Will I even get that much FA? Thanks. *</p>
<p>You’re not going to get aid.</p>
<p>However, a more important question is HOW MUCH have your parents said that THEY will pay each year? If you don’t know, ask.</p>
<p>Some kids with affluent parents are shocked to find out that their parents have no intention of paying $200k for each child’s education. In your family’s case, they would be paying over $600k for 3 kids - so they may not agree to that.</p>
<p>If your parents say that they won’t pay $55k per year for the school of your choice, you’ll need to find out what your school budget will be. Then you will have to carefully pick your schools to include some that will give big merit for your stats.</p>
<p>If your parents won’t pay $55k per year, that doesn’t mean that you can’t apply to a couple of your dream schools just to see what happens. However, since it’s VERY unlikely that they would give you aid, you would need to protect yourself by applying to some schools with big merit. You wouldn’t want a handful of unaffordable acceptances in the spring and no place to go. :(</p>
<p>However, if your parents will pay all your college costs, then you’re fine!!! :)</p>
<p>I see that you’re a NMSF…congrats…there are several schools that give huge merit scholarships for being NMF, as a precaution, you should apply to couple as safeties.</p>