Why does the GC tell me complete the FAFSA form even if I won't qualify for FA?

Paying for College
1

<p>Title says it all. </p>

<p>My parents make too much money for FA.</p>

2

<p>Many colleges require FAFSA for merit aid consideration.</p>

3

<p>You do not have to complete the FAFSA at all if your family doesn’t want to complete the FAFSA. </p>

<p>Anyone completing the FAFSA is eligible to take out a Direct Loan of up to $5500 for freshman year. You don’t have to do this, but it would be available if you need to or want to. Maybe that is why the GC is suggesting it.</p>

<p>But it’s your family choice!</p>

<p>You have until January 1 to make up your mind if you are a HS senior. Your FAFSA won’t be available to complete and file until January 1. 2015.</p>

4

<p>If you apply for a scholarship (as an incoming freshman or later), the committee might want to know your EFC along with your GPA, LOR, and essay (typical for a lot of scholarships). Yes, I do think committees favor the lower EFC, but not always! Perhaps they’re seeking a mix and don’t mind a few full-pay EFCs as long as some of the awardees are 0 EFC. Unless you have privacy issues with FAFSA, it’s likely a good idea to just complete it. </p>

5

<p>To the OP. Talk to your parents. If they are willing and able to pay your full cost of attending college, and do not wish to complete a FAFSA, they do not have to do so.</p>

<p>I will say…I would suggest completing it…but for a different reason. Of course you hope that your family will not have any financial issues during your freshman year in college. But if they do, your school will want a FAFSA completed if you need to ask for reconsideration of your finances.even for a Direct loan. The very last thing you will want to do if there is a family financial crisis is complete a FAFSA. So get it done in January. Then it will be there.</p>

6

<p><<<
Many colleges require FAFSA for merit aid consideration</p>

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<p>Well, I wouldn’t say “many”. I would say “some” (there really aren’t that many that require FAFSA and will still award merit even if you don’t have need.)</p>

<p>Most scholarships do not require FAFSA. </p>

<p>What schools are you applying to? </p>