Is there any advantage to completing the FAFSA or CSS even if you are a Full Pay family?
Are you absolutely positive you are full pay? If so, there is no need to apply for need based aid.
I believe at some schools FAFSA must be completed to be considered for some scholarships even if not need-based.
You will need to if you want unsubsidized Stafford loans.
If there is an amergency, where you may not be full pay: job loss, major illness,house burns down/hurricane/flood or anything where you may have to go to financial aid for help( including asking for a financial review if you get some need based aid at a better or peer school) Your application will already be on file.
If you don’t need student loans then don’t apply for them. Colleges have emergency loans.
The Direct Loan can be applied for later in the academic year…if you need one. You would need to complete the FAFSA to get this…but it can wait.
Thanks everyone- I appreciate the insight
Just a quick follow up- I found that some of the UCs require the FAFSA for Regents consideration.