I file the FAFSA just because. DD’s college did give out their federal funds according to EFC. If the students did not have a FAFSA on file, they gave the smallest amount. DD would have gotten the same amount either way, because we were just barely over the line for the smallest payout, but I know there would have been kids that would have qualified for more federal funds but not for institutional aid, so it benefitted them to have filed FAFSA. I hear there is going to be another payout from her school next month.
So my take is it doesn’t hurt.