<p>Question: We are a family that is unlikely to qualify for need-based financial aid. We are getting mixed signals as to whether we should apply for it any way. One camp says: theres money for middle class families and you should apply and see what happens. The other camp says: Applicants that can pay full [...]</p>
<p>Hi Sally,
Your answer is a little confusing to me. I guess what I am wondering is, why would it hurt to ask for aid? What if a student checks the “yes” box, and then the school gets the FAFSA information and the family is not even close to qualifying for aid, is that going to hurt the student if the school is need-blind? Conversely, is checking “no” going to help the student because the college sees that student as someone paying full fare? Is that the why you suggest NOT requesting aid at reach schools – it could hurt the student’s chances? This latter situation only applies to the need aware-schools, right? Or does it also apply to need-blind? </p>
<p>Finally, just a comment – a reason why a financial planner friend suggested always filling the FAFSA paperwork out is that at some schools, if you don’t apply for aid in the first year, then you are ineligible to apply in future years even if your financial situation changes dramatically. I don’t know if that is true, though, but it seemed like a good reason to apply anyway.</p>
<p>Thanks again for all of your super-informative columns!!</p>
<p>LBowie–At the “need aware” colleges (which means MOST schools) applying as “no need” can be a “hook” in the admissions process. Granted, if a student applies for need-based aid and is then found to have none anyway, it can still work in that student’s favor. But sometimes seeing the “NO” on the application can predispose admission officials favorably, right from the get-go, which can be especially helpful to a borderline candidate.</p>
<p>BUT … I would never suggest that a student apply as “no need” when the aid is truly (or even possibly) necessary. This is setting up that student (and the family) for potential stress and perhaps even for failure. (The latter tends to happen when students taken on extra jobs to meet college costs.) This can also lead students to graduate with unwieldy debt.</p>
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<p>As I mentioned in the Ask the Dean response, most colleges have a waiting period (typically two years) for those who want to seek financial aid but applied as “No need.” (Occasionally students are not allowed to apply for aid AT ALL if they entered as “no need.”) Note, however, that if a student’s financial situation changes dramatically and unexpectedly (e.g., a parent loses a long-time job or even dies) then the college may make an exception. But if a family applies as no need and then realizes that they’ve simply bitten off more than they can chew, the college folks will not be too sympathetic.</p>
<p>So families that are depending heavily on one or both parents’ salaries in order to apply as no-need would probably be wise to seek aid, even if they are turned down. Those with significant assets are on safer ground.</p>
<p>Well, I applied to universities while stating my financial need, and even if I didn’t have financial issues, I still would have applied. It actually helped me qualify for more scholarships from the universities, and when FAFSA came in, I found out that I received more financial aid that’s offered only directly from the university, like a housing grant and additional money. </p>
<p>I think you should do it!! You may find that the government will give you something, and even if not, it’s worth a try. Plus, like someone else said, applying now assures your re-applying when things may be different. Plus, sometimes universities’ standards are different than the government’s, and they may have some money that they need to give away. You never know 
good luck!</p>
<p>Oh… I just realized that this wasn’t a personal post but a general one, so disregard the “good luck” part lol. But I still stand by what I said!! Everyone should give it a shot!</p>
<p>Thank you! Now I get it!</p>