Applying for financial aid can seem overwhelming at first. The information about the application process, required forms, and deadlines included in this web page will make it simpler for you.

Prospective Graduate School of Arts and Sciences students starting programs Summer 2010 will need to submit two applications for financial aid:

1) 2009-10 FAFSA to cover financial aid for the Summer 2010 award period along with 2008 Student Tax Return if selected for verification

2) 2010-11 FAFSA to cover financial aid for the Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 award periods along with 2009 Student Tax Return if selected for verification

At the time you begin your application for admission, you should begin the financial aid application process. If you wait until you are admitted to apply for financial aid, you may miss important deadlines. Having the requested documents filed with us in advance will expedite the process once you are admitted. When submitting documents, always write the student's full name, Emory ID or SSN (if Emory ID is unknown) on each document. Generally our office can confirm receipt of documentation within 5 - 7 business days from the date the document was mailed. During the review process additional documents may be requested, if needed.

Step 1: Complete and submit the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using FAFSA On The Web. Remember to complete both the 2009-10 FAFSA (used to determine Summer 2010 aid eligibility) and the 2010-11 FAFSA (used to determine Fall 2010/Spring 2011 aid eligibility).

Be sure to include Emory's School Code 001564 when completing the FAFSA. This code will ensure Emory receives your FAFSA information electronically from the federal processor. The FAFSA data is used by the Office of Financial Aid to award student loans to supplement departmental aid. Tuition awards and stipends are awarded by your graduate department and do not require you to complete the FAFSA.

Using FAFSA On The Web:

Emory strongly recommends using FAFSA On The Web. FAFSA On The Web identifies potential errors and prompts you to make on-the-spot corrections. FAFSA On The Web includes online instructions for each question.

In order to electronically sign your FAFSA application, you should register for a PIN (Personal Identification Number) at www.pin.ed.gov. The PIN is an electronic access code that serves as your identifier with the federal processor. The PIN allows you to apply online for federal aid, make corrections to your FAFSA and access your Student Aid Report (SAR).

The Department of Education's Central Processing System will process your application in three to five days if you have provided an electronic signature (using your PIN).

Step 2: After you apply, you will receive your Student Aid Report (SAR).

Your SAR reports all the information you gave on your FAFSA. If you provided a valid email address when you applied, you'll get an email from the federal processor within a few days. The email contains a secure link so you can access your SAR on the web.

Review your SAR carefully to make sure it is correct and complete. If you need to make corrections to the SAR, you can make them online. Your SAR will contain instructions on how to make corrections.

Step 3: Provide a signed copy of your Student federal tax return ONLY IF you have been federally selected for verification. Submit returns to the Office of Financial Aid by mail.

2008 Tax Returns will be needed if selected for verification on the 2009-10 FAFSA.

2009 Tax Returns will be needed if selected for verification on the 2010-11 FAFSA.

To know if you have been selected for verification, check your SAR. If there is an asterisk (*) next to the EFC, your FAFSA has been selected for verification by the federal processor.

The advisor reviewing your file will determine whether you are eligible to receive financial aid. During this review, you may be asked to submit additional documents. Please check OPUS frequently for outstanding items under your To Do List.

Step 5: After your file has been reviewed and your financial aid eligibility determined, you will be notified by email (your Emory assigned email address) that your award is available for you to view and accept/decline in OPUS.

You will be sent separate email notifications for Summer 2010 semester and the Fall 2010/Spring 2011 academic period.

Please keep in mind our primary means of communicating with you throughout the year will be email. In addition, it is also very important that we have your correct mailing address. Email and mailing addresses can be updated and reviewed on OPUS under Personal Information. If you are unsure what your OPUS login is, check with the Emory IT Help Desk at 404-727-7777.