Should I complete FAFSA for merit scholarships even if I won't qualify for federal aid?

YES - absolutely complete the FAFSA even if you don't think you'll qualify for federal grants! Here's why:\n\n1. Many colleges require FAFSA for ALL types of aid, including merit scholarships. Some won't even consider students for merit awards without a completed FAFSA on file.\n\n2. Your daughter will qualify for unsubsidized federal student loans regardless of income (up to $5,500 for freshmen). These typically have better terms than private loans.\n\n3. You'll be eligible for Parent PLUS loans if needed, which sometimes have more flexible repayment options than private alternatives.\n\n4. Some schools have their own institutional aid with higher income thresholds than federal programs.\n\n5. Financial situations can change (job loss, medical expenses, etc.) - having FAFSA on file makes adjustments easier.\n\nThe 2025-2026 FAFSA takes most people about 30-45 minutes with the streamlined form, especially if you use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. Definitely worth the time investment!

Thank you for such a detailed answer! I had no idea she'd still qualify for unsubsidized loans regardless of our income. The $5,500 isn't much compared to the total cost, but I guess every bit helps. And I didn't realize some schools require FAFSA for merit consideration - that's important to know. Will start working on it this weekend.

Ok but be warned that the new FAFSA is a NIGHTMARE!!! I spent 6+ hours trying to submit for my son in December and the website kept crashing. Then they calculated our SAI completely wrong because of a glitch with the contributor section. We make around $175k and somehow qualified for a Pell Grant?? Obviously an error. Had to call FSA like 15 times before getting through to fix it. Complete it if you must, but prepare for serious frustration!!!! 😡😡😡

i had the opposite problem...the system said we make way more than we actually do lol. something about my stepdad's income being counted twice. tried calling for weeks and kept getting disconnected after being on hold for like 2 hrs

I work in a university financial aid office, and I strongly recommend completing the FAFSA regardless of income level. Besides what was already mentioned, many state aid programs require a completed FAFSA, and you might be surprised what you qualify for based on your family size or if you have multiple children in college simultaneously. \n\nThe Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation considers more than just income - it factors in assets, family size, number of college students, and more. Even if you don't qualify for need-based aid initially, having the FAFSA on file positions you for potential aid if your circumstances change. \n\nLastly, some schools won't even release merit scholarship funds without a FAFSA on file, even if the scholarship itself isn't need-based. It's essentially the universal application for all types of aid at most institutions.

Thanks for the insider perspective! That's really helpful. We do have another child who will be in college in two years - does having multiple kids in college simultaneously significantly impact the SAI calculation? Also, if we complete it for freshman year, do we need to fill it out again each year she's in school?

Yes, having multiple children in college simultaneously used to have a significant impact on your aid eligibility, but I should note that the new FAFSA (starting with 2024-2025) removed the sibling discount from the federal methodology. However, many institutions still consider it in their own institutional aid formulas.\n\nAnd yes, you'll need to complete the FAFSA each year. Your financial situation can change, and schools need updated information annually to determine continuing eligibility. The good news is that renewal FAFSAs are usually easier since much of your information carries over.

Wait they got rid of the sibling discount??? that's terrible! my older brothers got way more aid when we overlapped in college. seems unfair to families with multiple kids

Definitely fill it out. My daughter had a similar profile to yours (3.95 GPA, 1520 SAT) and we make around $240k. We didn't expect anything either but ended up getting access to Federal Direct Loans which saved us about 1.5% in interest compared to private loans we were considering. Plus one private university gave us a $15k/year

Wow, that's encouraging! $15k per year would make a big difference. Can I ask which university that was? You can DM me if you don't want to share publicly. Really good to hear from someone in a similar financial situation who found it worthwhile.

When I was trying to reach the Federal Student Aid office about my daughter's FAFSA application status last month, I spent hours on hold and kept getting disconnected. Finally tried using Claimyr.com which got me through to an agent in about 15 minutes. They basically wait on hold for you and call when an agent is available. Saved me hours of frustration! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ\n\nDefinitely worth it if you run into technical issues with the application, which seems pretty common based on what others have shared.

This is actually really good to know. I wasted an entire DAY trying to get through to fix our FAFSA. Will bookmark this for next year when we inevitably have more problems!

my cousin didnt do fafsa bc they make too much money and her daughter lost out on a $20k merit scholarship at boston college bc they required fafsa for all institutional aid...even the non-need based stuff! def do it just in case

Ouch, that's exactly the kind of situation I want to avoid! $20k is a huge amount to lose. I'm convinced now - definitely filling it out this weekend.

Unpopular opinion maybe but private loans aren't always the devil everyone makes them out to be. We got better rates through Sallie Mae than the Parent PLUS loans for our son's junior and senior years. Shop around if you end up needing to borrow. But yeah, still do the FAFSA first to keep all options open.

This can be true depending on your credit score and the current rate environment, but remember that federal loans come with income-driven repayment options, potential forgiveness programs, and more flexible deferment options that private loans typically don't offer. It's always good to compare the total cost of borrowing including these benefits, not just the interest rate.

Thanks everyone for the advice! I'm definitely convinced now and will complete the FAFSA this weekend. I had no idea so many schools required it even for merit scholarships or that we'd still be eligible for unsubsidized loans regardless of income. Really appreciate all the insights from people who've been through this process already!

Glad to help! One last tip: gather all your documents before starting (2023 tax returns, bank statements, investment records). The new FAFSA pulls in tax data automatically through the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, but you'll still need to manually enter some asset information. Good luck with the applications!

As someone who just went through this process with my own daughter last year, I can't stress enough how important it is to complete the FAFSA regardless of your income level! We're in a similar situation income-wise and initially hesitated, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions we made. Even though we didn't qualify for need-based federal grants, my daughter was able to access $5,500 in unsubsidized federal loans her freshman year, and we qualified for Parent PLUS loans when needed. More importantly, two of the schools she was accepted to required FAFSA completion for ANY institutional aid consideration - including pure merit scholarships that had nothing to do with financial need. The process itself wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. With the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, it took us about an hour total. Just make sure you have your 2023 tax returns and bank statements handy before you start. One thing I wish someone had told us earlier - even if your financial situation changes mid-year (job loss, medical expenses, etc.), having an active FAFSA makes it much easier to request a professional judgment review from the financial aid office. It's like having a safety net in place. Your daughter's stats are excellent, so she'll likely be competitive for merit aid regardless, but don't let a missed FAFSA be the reason she loses out on potential funding!

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who works with college-bound students! Even beyond the merit scholarship requirements that others have mentioned, completing the FAFSA can open doors to work-study opportunities on campus, which many students find valuable both financially and for building their resume. Also, some states have their own grant programs with different income thresholds than federal aid - California's Cal Grant, for example, has middle-class scholarships that extend to families making up to $217k depending on family size. These state programs almost always require a completed FAFSA as well. Your daughter's academic profile is really strong, so she's likely to get good merit offers regardless, but having that FAFSA completed just gives her (and you) maximum flexibility. The 30-45 minutes it takes is definitely worth the peace of mind that you haven't accidentally closed any doors!

As a parent who went through this exact dilemma two years ago, I can't emphasize enough - DO THE FAFSA! We were in a very similar income bracket and initially thought it would be pointless, but it ended up being crucial for several reasons everyone has already mentioned. What I want to add is something most people don't realize: some schools use FAFSA data not just for aid eligibility, but also for their merit scholarship calculations. They want to see the full financial picture to determine how much merit aid they need to offer to make attendance possible. One school actually increased my son's merit award after reviewing our FAFSA, saying they could see we were "full pay" but wanted to make their offer more competitive. Also, don't underestimate the Parent PLUS loans if you end up needing them. Yes, the interest rates aren't amazing, but the repayment flexibility and discharge options in case of death/disability provide peace of mind that private loans often don't match. The new FAFSA definitely has some glitches, but if you run into issues, don't give up! Most problems can be resolved with patience (and maybe that callback service someone mentioned). Your daughter's stats are excellent - make sure bureaucracy doesn't stand in the way of maximizing her funding opportunities!

As a newcomer to this community, I just want to say how helpful this entire thread has been! I'm in a very similar situation with my junior who will be applying to colleges next year - we're in that "too high for need-based aid but still need help with costs" bracket that seems so common these days. Reading everyone's real experiences has been eye-opening, especially learning that so many schools require FAFSA even for pure merit scholarships. I had been putting off learning about the process thinking it wouldn't apply to us, but now I realize that's a mistake that could cost us thousands. The technical issues some of you mentioned with the new FAFSA are concerning, but it sounds like the benefits far outweigh the frustration. I'm bookmarking that callback service someone mentioned - seems like it could save a lot of headache if problems arise. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences and advice. This community is clearly full of knowledgeable people who genuinely want to help others navigate this complex process!

As someone who's been helping families navigate college financing for over 15 years, I want to reinforce what everyone has said about completing the FAFSA - it's absolutely essential regardless of your income level! What I don't see mentioned yet is that many private scholarships from external organizations (Rotary, local businesses, community foundations, etc.) also require a completed FAFSA as part of their application process, even if the scholarship itself isn't need-based. They use it to verify enrollment and sometimes to prioritize among equally qualified candidates. Another point: the FAFSA completion also makes your daughter eligible for certain federal education tax credits like the American Opportunity Tax Credit (up to $2,500 per year), which can provide significant savings at your income level. Given your daughter's excellent academic profile (3.9 GPA, 1490 SAT), she'll likely be competitive for substantial merit awards. But don't let an incomplete FAFSA be the bureaucratic hurdle that prevents her from accessing any funding opportunity. The 45 minutes you spend on the application could potentially save you tens of thousands over four years. One practical tip: if you encounter technical issues, try completing it during off-peak hours (early morning or late evening) when the servers are less congested. Good luck!

As someone who just went through this exact situation last year, I can't emphasize enough how crucial it is to complete the FAFSA! We were in a similar income bracket ($195k) and almost skipped it thinking we wouldn't qualify for anything meaningful. Here's what we discovered that made it absolutely worth the time: 1. **Unsubsidized federal loans** - Your daughter will be eligible for $5,500 in federal student loans regardless of income, which typically have better terms and protections than private loans. 2. **Merit aid requirements** - Three out of the five schools my son applied to required FAFSA completion for ANY institutional aid, including pure academic merit scholarships. One school specifically told us they wouldn't even review students for merit awards without it on file. 3. **State aid programs** - Many states have middle-class assistance programs with higher income thresholds than federal aid. Don't assume you won't qualify! 4. **Professional judgment flexibility** - If your financial situation changes during college (job loss, medical expenses, etc.), having an active FAFSA makes it much easier to request aid adjustments. The new FAFSA definitely has some technical hiccups, but it only took us about an hour with the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. My advice: gather your 2023 tax returns and bank statements first, then complete it during off-peak hours (early morning worked best for us). With your daughter's impressive stats, she's likely to get great merit offers anyway, but don't let a missing FAFSA be the reason she loses out on potential funding. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm incredibly grateful for all the detailed advice shared here! I'm in a very similar situation - my son is a high school senior with strong academics (3.8 GPA, 1450 SAT) and we're in that challenging middle-income range where we make too much for need-based aid but still need help with college costs. Reading through everyone's experiences has been eye-opening, especially learning that so many schools require FAFSA completion even for merit scholarships that have nothing to do with financial need. I had initially planned to skip the FAFSA thinking it would be pointless given our income level, but the real-world examples shared here - like the student who lost out on $20k at Boston College and the parent whose merit award was actually increased after FAFSA review - have completely changed my perspective. The technical issues with the new FAFSA system sound frustrating, but everyone seems to agree that the potential benefits far outweigh the temporary headaches. I'm particularly interested in that callback service someone mentioned - seems like it could save hours of frustration if problems arise. One question for those who've completed it recently: how current do your bank statements need to be? We have some seasonal fluctuation in our accounts due to my husband's business, so I want to make sure I'm providing the most accurate picture. Thanks again to everyone for sharing such valuable insights - this thread has been more helpful than hours of research on official websites!

As someone who's been working in college admissions for over a decade, I want to emphasize something that hasn't been mentioned yet - timing can be crucial! While you're absolutely right to complete the FAFSA (and everyone here has given excellent reasons why), make sure you submit it as early as possible after October 1st for the best shot at institutional aid. Many schools operate on a "first come, first served" basis for their own institutional funds, even for merit scholarships. Some have priority deadlines as early as November or December for the following fall. With your daughter's strong academic profile, she'll be competitive, but submitting early ensures she's in the first round of consideration when aid budgets are fullest. Also, a pro tip from our office: when you complete the FAFSA, immediately check each of her target schools' financial aid websites for their CSS Profile requirements. About 400 schools (many private institutions) require this additional form for institutional aid. It's more detailed than FAFSA but often necessary for the larger merit awards at private universities. Given that you're looking at $65-70k/year schools, every piece of aid matters. Don't let timing or missed requirements cost you thousands in potential scholarships!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for sharing such detailed and helpful experiences! I'm facing the exact same dilemma with my daughter who's also a high school senior. We're in a similar income bracket and I was initially hesitant about completing the FAFSA, thinking it would be a waste of time. Reading through all these real-world examples has been incredibly eye-opening - especially the stories about students losing out on merit scholarships simply because FAFSA wasn't completed, even when the scholarships themselves weren't need-based. The Boston College example really drove that point home! I'm also reassured to hear from the financial aid professional about the unsubsidized loans and the strategic timing advice. The point about schools operating on a "first come, first served" basis for institutional funds is something I never would have considered. One thing I'm curious about - for those who've completed the new FAFSA recently, how accurate is the 30-45 minute timeframe once you have all your documents ready? I'm trying to set realistic expectations for tackling this over the weekend, especially given all the technical issues some have mentioned. Thanks again to this community for providing such practical, actionable advice. It's clear that completing the FAFSA is about keeping all doors open rather than chasing any one specific benefit!

As a newcomer to this community, I just want to echo what everyone has said and add my own experience from last year! We were in almost the identical situation - household income around $220k, daughter with excellent stats (3.95 GPA, 1510 SAT), looking at expensive private schools. I was initially very resistant to completing the FAFSA because I was convinced we'd get nothing and it seemed like a bureaucratic nightmare. But after reading advice similar to what's been shared here, we decided to push through it. Best decision we made! Here's what we discovered: 1. **Merit scholarship requirements** - 4 out of her 6 target schools absolutely required FAFSA for ANY institutional aid consideration. We would have lost out on significant merit awards without it. 2. **Unexpected eligibility** - One school offered us a small need-based grant (~$3k/year) that we never saw coming, apparently due to some quirk in how they calculate institutional need vs. federal methodology. 3. **Loan access** - The unsubsidized federal loans were a lifesaver. Even though $5,500 seems small compared to total costs, it was $22,000 less we had to borrow privately over four years. 4. **Peace of mind** - When my husband had a temporary salary reduction due to company restructuring junior year, having the FAFSA already on file made it easy to request a professional judgment review and get additional aid. The actual process took me about 50 minutes with documents ready, despite my fears about the technical issues. Yes, there were a couple brief glitches, but nothing that couldn't be resolved with patience. Don't let fear of bureaucracy cost you thousands in potential aid!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to add my voice to the chorus of people encouraging you to complete the FAFSA! I'm in a very similar situation with my son who's a high school senior - we make around $200k and I initially thought the FAFSA would be pointless for us. What convinced me was talking to a friend whose daughter lost out on a $12k annual merit scholarship at a private university simply because they didn't complete the FAFSA. The scholarship itself had nothing to do with financial need, but the school required FAFSA completion for all institutional aid disbursement - something buried in the fine print that they missed. Reading through this thread has reinforced that decision. The stories about schools using FAFSA data strategically for merit aid calculations, the access to federal loans with better terms than private options, and the flexibility it provides if circumstances change all make compelling arguments. One practical tip I learned from our school counselor: create your FSA ID well before you plan to complete the FAFSA. Both student and parent need separate IDs, and there can be verification delays that might slow down the process if you try to do it all at once. With your daughter's excellent academic profile, she's going to be competitive for merit aid regardless, but why risk closing any doors unnecessarily? The potential upside far outweighs the hour or so it takes to complete. Thanks to everyone for sharing such helpful real-world experiences!