Contrary to the common theme on College Confidential, I will not tell you the FAFSA is the greatest when it comes to accurately portraying someone’s financial situation. My parents earn close to $90,000 a year, but they don’t take into account the fact my father had three heart surgeries and was hospitalized on two seperate occasions. They also don’t realize my youngest neice has a disability with constant bills pouring in for her care. Instead, they see $90,000 a year and estimated my family to pay over $17,000 for my education, but they can’t pay a single penny. Nevertheless, please submit your FAFSA. Without it, you won’t even be able to obtain a federal student loan, and at some schools, even scholarships. In some states, there are also grants with higher income thresholds. In Kentucky, students attending private colleges can receive up to $3,000 despite not qualify for the more standard grants. Is there a high chance you won’t receive any aid from the FAFSA? Absolutely, but it’s better to have some chance than no chance, and even better to at least get a little aid even if it isn’t substantial.