Do you need to apply for financial aid to get scholarship money

Wolffy25 · 11-30-2005, 10:35 AM

Do I need to apply for financial aid to get merit/ scholarship money.

I will not be eligble for financial aid, but possibly merit money. I dont trust "need blind"

Can I still get merit money if I dont mark "will be applying for financial aid"

I guess the heart of question, which I did research through searches... does marking financial aid hurt at most schools. Do they see that I will apply for finanical aid, and have a stigma when reviewing... do they take in account my aid status (I WONT RECEIVE ANY) when reviewing, or just see that I will apply for aid?

Wolffy25 · 11-30-2005, 08:37 PM

help meeee im scared

SalikSyed · 11-30-2005, 10:36 PM

i'm scared too if that helps.

nfc...

Wolffy25 · 11-30-2005, 11:13 PM

this is the only thing keeping me from sending out my apps

itstoomuch · 11-30-2005, 11:27 PM

It is my understanding that if you apply and receive an ED that you are expected to pay for the schooling in either merit or FA.

I thought you were going to research all the particuliars after THXday. If you have researched the parent forum/parent cafe you will find that the catch phrase is something like, strategic aid. Just like strategic admissions, which is why you are applying ED.

I think you and a lot other students/parents are under the impression that because they have certain amount of income or assets that you will be ineligible for FA and thus do not qualify for need based aid, but perhaps qualify of merit aid.

For the schools that you are attempting to matriculate, Merit aid will be designated first to those who NEED the aid, who enhance or have some type attribute attractive to the school/student body before those who have good just scores or grades. Need based aid will be done on the Federal methodogy which is pretty clear but unclear on how the money is derived. Perhaps if you look at admissions and disbursement of $ as like the NFL or NBA draft. The candidate pool is talented, but not every team needs a 1st team quarterback. A team may however need a third string QB who they can develop into a 1st team QB. The sports draft is a seller's market which the teams are bidding amongst themselves but not particularily for a player.

FA is a combination of loans, grants, scholarships, workstudy, For just about everyone, FA will consist of a loan qualification. For those who have Need, the FA will consist of loans, grants, scholarships, or workstudy in part or in combination. If you want merit aid, then you should check FA. If you don't need any type of FA, then do not check FA.

From the forums/threads: you will need to file for FA before you will get any type of merit aid. If you do not file for FA then how will the school know that you want merit aid (which for most schools is very scarce and reserved.)

You should read the parents forum/cafe, one or two of the references - sponsers, school's policy, Roger Dooley's essays in the Main CC section. Also make plans for Plan B & C.

Please, try not to be so shrill. You are not the only one worried. Do your research and you will find the path.

itstoomuch · 11-30-2005, 11:40 PM

if you have bothered to search this forum for a similiar title, you would have found this,
Should I apply for Fin aid?

which was near your first first posting.

Wolffy25 · 11-30-2005, 11:45 PM

Thanks for the help, that post clarified a lot...

Its just tough for me to research effectivly when I am trying to juggle about 10 college apps, 6 AP classes, and 3 tests tomorrow. Its just a very stressful time right now... but I do appreciate the help.

itstoomuch · 12-01-2005, 12:19 AM

you would be foolish to believe what I have written.

Wolffy25 · 12-01-2005, 06:03 AM

huh????????