Should I File the FAFSA?

“Do I really need to fill out the FAFSA? We won’t qualify for need-based aid, so what’s the point?”

I hear this all the time. The truth is: No, you do not have to complete the FAFSA, but her is why:

1. Merit Scholarships May Require It

Many colleges won’t award any merit scholarships unless a FAFSA is on file. If you want your student in the running for every possible scholarship, submitting the FAFSA is the smart move.

2. Life Happens

Job losses, medical issues, even family emergencies can change your financial picture overnight. Filing the FAFSA is like an insurance policy—if circumstances shift, aid could suddenly be available.

3. Some Private Scholarships Require It

Even scholarships that aren’t based on need sometimes require proof you’ve completed the FAFSA. It shows that students are doing their part to access every resource available.

4. Finding Scholarships Without “Need”

If you’re convinced you won’t qualify for need-based aid, you’re not alone. I was in the same boat with my son, yet we funded two-thirds of his college costs with outside scholarships that didn’t consider financial need.

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