FAFSA or CSS Profile necessary for high EFC? If so, when to file?

SDunham
Wed, 05 Oct 2016 19:11:34 +0000

I’ve read various topics on this, as well as information from other websites. The consensus on FAFSA is to file regardless of income or EFC. So, we did file, though I am reluctant to share so much financial information if it won’t result in any aid. For this reason, so far we have only shared with our state school, Illinois/UIUC, which seems to be a top choice right now and is likely to be affordable even without federal aid.

Most advice seems to indicate that there are non-need based grants and scholarships that require FAFSA, especially in-state. Others imply that if you may need aid in a future year, like when our 2nd child will be in college at the same time, that you must file for every prior year as well. Even so, I haven’t yet found any specific examples of such grants, scholarships or requirements at school websites or elsewhere online. There’s even less information in regard to filing CSS Profile if no need-based aid is expected the first year. I’ve even contacted a couple schools who sent emails that said you should file early for these reasons, even if you don’t expect to receive aid, but neither could not cite any actual aid or requirements of this nature.

So, is there any disadvantage to holding off on sending additional FAFSA reports to other schools, or holding off on filing the CSS Profile at all, prior to receiving any acceptance and possible merit aid packages? Could we simply complete these and send them to the chosen school once his choice is made? Of the schools where he is likely to apply, none seem to indicate that consideration for merit aid requires a FAFSA/Profile. For that reason, we are also wondering if we should simply check the “Decline” option on the common app for need-based aid, unless that precludes us from requesting financial aid in future years. I’ve even read that this can be beneficial at some schools when merit based aid is considered, so it’s all somewhat confusing.

Thanks in advance for any opinions especially if you’ve been in a similar situation! I know it’s related to my previous thread a couple months ago, but it’s a somewhat different concern.