Are these colleges need aware for admissions? If not, the admissions folks won’t have any idea what your level of need is…or isn’t. Merit aid is usually handled by admissions and need based by the financial aid office.
The financial aid office at a college cannot share your financials with anyone who does it require this information. @kelsmom right?
If you check NO on the common application…be sure to contact the one college and tell them they will be receiving a FAFSA from you.
True merit aid has nothing to do with need based financial aid awards. @BelknapPoint