Is it worth filling out the FAFSA...

[skj]

I am a non-traditional student who has been working for 12 years since college. For the first 10 years I worked for non-profits and my salary was under the designated poverty level. For the past two years I have had what I consider to be a well-paying job (roughly $55,000/year). I also have some investments, and I am sure that I will not qualify for anything from FAFSA. For that reason I have not completed the form. Now my concern is that if I don't fill out the form, schools may look down on me for being lazy, unprepared, etc. Is that a valid concern? Two of the grad schools I applied to require full funding (from them) to attend, but others don't. I also am unsure of how the schools will react when they see that I have a decent amount of money. Can that actually hurt me?

[khamylak]

I don't think it will hurt you. I think if you don't apply they will not consider giving you "needed" money... so only academic excellence kind of cash. I filled mine out just minutes ago and almost dies when they said I could afford to pay $33,000/year! Sure, if my husband and I don't eat during that year either. But at least if I am the "poorest" to apply they might give me so dough!

Long story short- I think all it will do is allow the school to at least give you low interest loans if not some free money.

[rising_star]

It makes you eligible for federal subsidized loans, which are available to all graduate students regardless of income (afaik).