<p>Is it mandatory to fill our the FAFSA to qualify for a Stafford Loan, even if one is not pursing grant-based aid?</p>
<p>Yes. The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for all federal aid, which can include Pell Grants, SEOG grants, Stafford and Perkins loans, and federal work-study.</p>
<p>Also, need is taken into account when they decide if your loans will be subsidized or unsubsidized, so they need FAFSA numbers for that.</p>
<p>In a word, YES. It’s required. ALso needed for PLUS (parent direct loan).</p>