<p>Ok my parents make about 160,000 a year, but my dad has his own business which he makes about 60,000 a year additionally. I mean, my parents can afford to pocket 50,000 yr, but should we still apply for financial aid? B/c college admissions officers tell us to apply for it even if we can still afford college. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>You probably won't get anything. If the school is 'need blind', then it doesn't matter at all. It's just another form to fill out.</p>
<p>Apparently you should fill out financial aid regardless, because I know I have a very good friend of mine who is going to BU this year, but everyone told her not to fill the FAFSA, CSS, etc. because it wouldn't be worth it. But unfortunately for her, she had found out a few weeks later that she had qualified for about $10,000 in scholarships but since she didn't fill out any financial aid forms she wouldn't be receiving them, so just something to think about.</p>
<p>I never even touched the FAFSA because I knew that there was no way I'd qualify. Some universities require you to fill it out, but mine didn't so I didn't waste my time with it.</p>
<p>Yeah, fill em out.</p>
<p>Never eliminate yourself. What is the worse that could happen? You get no aid and a plus loan. Your parents can make the payments over time and write off the interest on the loan. </p>
<p>Fill out the forms because life happens (not trying to wish anything bad on you but even long term marriages break up, people get sick, die, have to take care of elderly parents, have a downward turn in business, etc). You never know what kind of hand life is going to deal you. It is easier to appeal a decision should you have a change in circumstance and get aid than having to wait a whole year and then applying.</p>
<p>Tony makes a very good point about merit aid, some schools require you to fill out the FA forms because everybody likes to save a little money. Merit aid is now a big tool being used to attract full payers. Your parents would be happy if you got into a school that threw you a bone of about 5-10,000 for some kind of leadership award, than they would for you to be admitted to a comprable school and get $0.</p>
<p>Same situation here only more unworthy of need based money than that. Filled out the FAFSA and profile anyway since school required. Ended up getting nice merit scholarship...so fill it out...even though it is going to come back with $99,999 for EFC (I found out that is the high end default number...)</p>