My daughter received merit and athletic scholarships. I’m pretty sure I only have to fill out FAFSA every year for need based. Is this correct? Thanks.
She is a freshman so I’m making sure for next year.
It depends on what each school requires.
You’ll have to ask the college. It’s specific to each college. Call the FA office and ask.
You’d have to fill it out if she wanted to take the student loan.
Some schools make you fill it out every year to keep merit scholarships from that school. So definetly check your D’s school website or call the financial aid office
Merit and athletic scholarships can be lost or reduced due to a gpa drop or injury. If your daughter unexpectedly needed to pay more for spring semester, having already filled out the FAFSA for that school year could give you some additional financial options and cushion.
What is the big deal about filling out the FAFSA? If you have your tax return it is a 15 - 30 minute process tops.
My daughter’s school requires the FAFSA every year for merit aid to be renewed.
There is zero point in us filling out FAFSA so I just make sure I have it in writing that it isn’t required for the merit scholarships they have. I will keep an eye on that yearly though, as these are required to be reapplied for each year. You can have your kid on top of that of make it your thing. I see from local rumblings that our local regents will require FAFSA from next year onwards for example, not applying to my kids years. As these things get lost in translation and they also are a yearly application, it is worth getting written clarification.
My daughter’s school also requires the FAFSA to be filed every year for a renewal of her merit aid. Know your school’s policy.
Otterma also makes a good point about the fact that merit aid can be lost.
they said we didn’t need it but i think i’ll just fill it out. thanks.