Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
Yes. There is no income limit to file the FAFSA, and StudentAid.gov tells every student to submit one. Need is judged by a formula most families can't predict, many state merit scholarships require the FAFSA anyway, and colleges use it to award their own grants. Filing is free and usually takes about 12 minutes per person.
Why it's worth filing anyway
- There's no income cutoff to apply. Whether you qualify for need-based aid is worked out by a federal formula, not by your guess.
- Some scholarships aren't about need at all but still require the FAFSA. Examples from our research: Alaska's Performance Scholarship, Georgia's HOPE and Zell Miller grants, and Louisiana's TOPS awards.
- Colleges you list receive your FAFSA information automatically, and many use it to award their own grants and scholarships.
- It's the only way to get federal student loans, including ones that don't depend on need, if you end up needing them.
- Your situation can change. If you filed, you're already in the system when it matters.
What it costs you
Nothing. The FAFSA is free on StudentAid.gov, it typically takes about 12 minutes per person, and filing doesn't commit you to taking any loan or attending any school.
Questions
- Is there an income limit for the FAFSA?
- No. Any student can file regardless of income, and many awards use the FAFSA without being based on need.
- Does filing the FAFSA mean I have to take loans?
- No. Filing just shows you what you can get. You choose whether to accept any loan in your school's aid offer.
We checked these facts against official sources (studentaid.gov and each state's financial aid agency) on the date above. Deadlines and amounts change every year, so always confirm on studentaid.gov or with your school's financial aid office. StudentSoar explains how aid works; we can't give advice about your individual situation. Find scholarships and grants you qualify for.