How do I know if i should apply for need based aid or not?

You should definitely apply for financial aid. There is nothing to lose! Make sure to also apply to your local and state programs if there are any.

Always, always, always apply for financial aid!!!! For the most part scholarships that you apply to, as well as other ways of paying for college, money is earned on your own merit. Whether it be strong, outstanding extracurriculars, good academics, quality individual character, or anything else that is specific to you, it will be BASED ON YOU!! The last thing you want when you're knee deep in college is worrying about tuition payments or any type of money trouble. Not just while you're in college but for the rest of your life. It can take decades to pay off student loans so do everything in your power to prevent debt!

Hi there @Annalise,

I agree with other users here in that you should apply for financial aid. Even if you're applying only to schools that claim to meet 100% of your demonstrated need, there is always a chance that your financial package might not be enough, and to be eligible for some scholarships, you have to prove need - which is where financial forms come in.

Hope this helps!

You should always apply for financial aid! Financial aid is there so that students can get an education with less debt. If you or your family can cover your college admissions, you should not mark yourself as applying for need-based aid. However, you can still apply for aid that is not necessarily need-based.