Since I was 17, I've been living on my own, filing my own taxes, and relying on my fiance to support me. Last year, when I sought to apply for federal student aid, I was told that I needed to send my parents' tax information in order to be considered. Any of these factors could alter your financial aid requirements.Įarn Scholarships Without The FAFSA - Is It possible? In the next year or two, your sibling may begin college. It's possible that you'll opt to transfer. Depending on your curriculum, the cost of education may vary. It's possible that your parents' income will fluctuate. Between now and the end of the year, though, a lot can happen. You may not require or be eligible for financial assistance this year. Your financial requirements may alter from year to year. What happens if you don't qualify the following year? If you haven't applied for the FAFSA, your only option is to take out high-interest personal loans. However, the majority of scholarships are one-time only. You might have won a scholarship that will help you pay for this year's tuition. These are just a few of the reasons why it's critical to complete the FAFSA each year. Regardless of whether your parents have the financial means to pay the tuition out of their own pocket. This is true whether you're applying for merit scholarships or not. Why You Should Fill Out the FAFSA Every YearĪll experts agree that all college students should complete the FAFSA every year. You would forfeit both federal student aid and the scholarship reward in this circumstance. If you haven't completed the FAFSA, it means you aren't in need of financial help. Because the family sees a need, a student who has maxed their need-based aid on the FAFSA will be given priority. If three students are tied for a scholarship, for example. Others utilise the FAFSA information to determine whether or not a student qualifies for merit scholarships. Without the FAFSA, many universities would not consider you for merit-based aid because it shows that you do not require financial assistance.
Other universities use the FAFSA to ensure that a student's need-based aid has been maximised. It is used by several universities to check citizenship, ensuring that only citizens and those qualified for federal funding are considered. The information on the FAFSA is used by colleges that require it to screen applicants. Some institutions require the FAFSA in order to offer scholarships for a variety of reasons. Why Some Colleges Require the FAFSA for Scholarships In addition, the FAFSA is required for several private scholarships. Students who have not completed the FAFSA may be denied merit aid at some universities. The policies on scholarships differ from one college to the next. However, assuming that this is usual procedure is a mistake.
To be eligible for merit scholarships, most schools do not require students to complete the FAFSA. And, more crucially, why, if you're applying to college or already enrolled, you should fill out the FAFSA. Here are a few things to keep in mind concerning the FAFSA and scholarships relationship. However, this does not provide a complete response to the question. The quick answer is that you can get scholarships without filling out the FAFSA. Earn Scholarships Without The FAFSA - Is It Possible?