<p>I'm filling out the online Common App, and it asks me, "Are you applying for need-based financial aid?"
My parents make $200+, but college will still be a strain on income, so should I still answer "yes"?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>There are some good reasons for filing the FAFSA, including the fact that you have to fill it out if you want to take out a Stafford student loan (even an unsubsidized loan, which you most likely would be able to take out). Some schools require you to file a FAFSA for merit aid, even when the merit aid is not based on need (strange, but true). So ... definitely, file. </p>
<p>I would hope that checking off the box on your app wouldn't be held against you. Some schools are "need aware" - but I think that they see your financial aid app first in those cases - and if you have a high income, you wouldn't be considered to have need, anyway.</p>
<p>I have the similar situation with cooljoe. I want the non-blind schools admit me pretending I do not need aid. But i do need scholarship or loan to pay my tuition.</p>
<p>If you are certain you won't get need based aid, but you need loans (which you can get without "need") and scholarships (not based on need), then you aren't lying if you say you don't plan on filing for need based aid. The fact that you will file a FAFSA in order to get an unsubsidized Stafford or a PLUS (parent) loan does not technically fall into the same category as need based aid in which you really DO have a calculated need (that is, where cost less expected family contribution yields a number greater than 0).</p>
<p>Many students have no idea whether or not they will get need based aid. That is why I am pretty certain need aware schools look at your FAFSA, not just at what you check off on the application.</p>
<p>Thanks kelsmom!</p>