Is FAFSA worth completing if you won't qualify for need-based aid?

Thanks - that's really helpful. I didn't realize some schools required it for merit aid too. Do you happen to know if state schools are the same way?

This isn't entirely accurate. While you won't get need-based aid at that income, the FAFSA isn't just for Pell Grants or subsidized loans. Many schools require it for merit scholarships, and it's the only way to access unsubsidized federal loans which have much better protections than private loans. It's worth the 20-30 minutes it takes with the new streamlined form.

Ugh its so annoying tho. Do ALL schools really require it for merit? My kids applying to 8 schools and only 2 mention FAFSA on there merit scholrship pages...

It varies by institution. Some absolutely require it for all institutional aid (including merit), while others don't. If you're considering 8 schools, I'd recommend checking each school's financial aid website or calling their aid office directly to confirm their specific requirements. Better to have it completed than to find out later your student missed out on potential aid.

Most schools practice "need-blind" admissions, meaning they don't consider your financial situation when making admission decisions. However, a small number of private schools are "need-aware" and may consider ability to pay for borderline applicants. Public universities are almost always need-blind. But importantly, completing the FAFSA doesn't necessarily signal you need aid - many families who don't qualify for need-based aid still complete it for the reasons others mentioned.

really? that's good to know. the tax transcript part was always the biggest headache

Try using Claimyr.com - it's a service that waits on hold with the FSA helpline for you and calls you when an agent comes on the line. Saved me hours of frustration when I had SAI calculation questions. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ that shows how it works. Totally worth it during peak FAFSA season when wait times are insane.

That sounds amazing - thanks for the tip! The hold times have been ridiculous lately.

Great decision! One final tip: even though they've simplified the FAFSA, still gather these documents before starting: - FSA IDs for both you and your student - Driver's licenses (if applicable) - Social security numbers for you and your student - List of colleges your student is applying to (with their codes) Having everything ready will make the process even smoother.

Perfect - thanks for the checklist. I already set up our FSA IDs last month so that part is done at least!

This is such a great real-world example! It's so frustrating when financial advisors give blanket advice without considering all the scenarios. That $15k/year scholarship is $60k over four years - definitely worth the 20 minutes to complete the FAFSA! Stories like yours are exactly why I think every family should complete it regardless of income. Thanks for sharing your experience!

Great question about timing! You should definitely complete the FAFSA as early as possible - ideally by each school's priority deadline (usually February 1st or March 1st). Some schools have rolling merit scholarship consideration, so earlier submission can be better for aid opportunities. You don't need to wait for acceptances - the FAFSA asks you to list all schools your student is applying to, and then it gets sent to all of them automatically. Plus, some schools actually use FAFSA completion as one factor in their merit scholarship review process, so having it done early shows you're serious about attending. Check each school's financial aid website for their specific FAFSA deadlines!

@Yara Abboud is absolutely right about the timing! I'd also add that even if you miss the priority deadline, it's still worth completing the FAFSA. Some schools have later deadlines for merit aid consideration, and you'll still have access to federal unsubsidized loans if needed. One thing that caught me off guard was that a few schools on my daughter's list had different FAFSA requirements - some wanted it for all aid, others only for need-based. I ended up creating a spreadsheet to track each school's specific requirements and deadlines. Definitely recommend doing that research early so you don't get overwhelmed trying to figure it out at the last minute!

This is such valuable insight from someone actually working in admissions! The point about multiple kids in college simultaneously is huge - I hadn't even thought about how that changes the EFC calculation. And the work-study angle is really interesting too. I'm curious, for families in that $200k+ range you mentioned still getting institutional aid at expensive private schools - is that typically at schools with very large endowments, or are you seeing this more broadly? Just trying to set realistic expectations as we look at different types of schools. Either way, you've definitely reinforced that the FAFSA is worth doing regardless of income level!

@Zainab Khalil brings up such an important point about multiple kids in college! We learned this the hard way when our twin daughters both started college the same year. Our EFC went from being way too high to suddenly qualifying for some need-based aid at several schools. It s'definitely more common at well-endowed private institutions, but even some state schools have programs for middle-to-upper-middle class families. The work-study insight is gold too - those positions often lead to great networking opportunities and can be much more flexible with class schedules than off-campus jobs. For anyone still on the fence, just remember that financial situations can change unexpectedly during the four years of college, and having that FAFSA foundation already established makes everything smoother if you need to pivot.