<p>My son is applying to a financial/academic safety university here in our home town. It is very likely he would receive a full tuition scholarship and he would live at home, if he were to attend. (Although barring anything unforeseen, there is little chance he will actually attend this university.)</p>
<p>One of the questions on the application is “Will you be applying for financial aid?” Not sure how we should answer. Does it make a difference whether we check the “yes” or “no” box? Is there some reason we should actually submit the FAFSA form to this school? </p>
<p>Even if he doesn’t get the scholarship, we will not qualify for financial aid here…just wondering if there is some other benefit to at least submitting the FAFSA information (and/or checking “yes”.)</p>
<p>If their merit requires fafsa submittal, then do it. I also suggest that your son apply to another safety with merit since it doesn’t seem that he likes the local school.</p>
<p>Since you don’t know 100% that he will receive that scholarship then do it. Always apply for financial aid even if you don’t think you will qualify.</p>
<p>It’s an academic safety school, so probably isn’t borderline. IMHO it would be a good idea to go ahead with the FAFSA in the event that you want to take advantage of various loan options which require it. Those decisions can be made later, but why not leave as many options open as possible?</p>
<p>In my opinion, even if you do not believe you will qualify for need-based aid, I believe that there are two significant things to consider, both for and against submitting the FAFSA:
For: If you have any interest in taking out an unsubsidized Stafford loan, you will need to submit the FAFSA
Against: Some schools are need-aware, so applying for financial aid could potentially jeopardize your son’s admissions chances. You should check with the school to see if they have a need-aware policy</p>
<p>A local state university is generally not likely to be need aware for an instate-student at least as far as admissions are concerned. Generally the advice is yes, submit the FAFSA and let it go from there. However in your case, as he is not really interested it does not matter. Most state U’s will admit the in-state candidates without looking at the need.</p>
<p>If financial circumstances change drastically after the aid deadlines, I have heard it is extremely hard to get anything – but if an application is on file, changes are easier. Just because one files does not mean that one has to accept the Stafford or whatever is offered.</p>
<p>It is very likely he would receive a full tuition scholarship and he would live at home, if he were to attend. (Although barring anything unforeseen, there is little chance he will actually attend this university.)</p>
<p>This really doesn’t sound like a safety since it doesn’t sound like he’d be happy to go there…especially if it means commuting. </p>
<p>Why not apply to another financial safety where he’d also get a large merit scholarship? Then he’d have an inexpensive safety just in case the other schools don’t work out?</p>
<p>Actually, the school he really wants to go to is also a financial/academic safety for him…it’s just that it’s 8 hours away from home (still instate). We thought it would be a good idea for him to have this option close to home…just in case something were to change in our situation (job loss, etc. - or something changes and he decides he wants to live at home.)</p>
<p>To Mom22039’s question - yes, you can wait until after the admissions cycle to file the FAFSA and apply for the unsubsidized Stafford. The unsub Stafford is an entitlement that anyone can get, regardless of need. Each FAFSA application period runs from January 1st of any given year to June 30th of the following year.</p>
<p>If you have demonstrated need, you should file the FAFSA and apply for financial aid during the regular admissions process to get a subsidized Stafford.</p>