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

Please keep in mind that school aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified applicants, thereby increasing the advantages of applying for aid early. Later qualified applicants may not receive grants due to funding limitations.

Step 1: Complete and submit the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using FAFSA On The Web.

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.

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).

It is helpful to have a copy of your 2008 U.S. Income Tax Return available for reference when completing the FAFSA. You may use your 2007 return until the 2008 is completed. It is better to file with estimated figures than to delay the application process. The estimated figures can be updated at a later date by your advisor when the actual 2008 return is completed.

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

You can file online for 2009-10 award year beginning January 1, 2009.

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 filed using FAFSA on The Web and 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. If you filed a paper FAFSA, you'll receive a paper Student Aid Report (SAR) in a few weeks.

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: If you are applying for institutional aid, complete and submit the College Scholarship Service PROFILE application.

If you have not already done so, you will need to register with the College Scholarship Service and obtain a username and password. Click on PROFILE Online under "Pay For College" and follow the online instructions from there. Make sure you select Emory PROFILE code 5187 before exiting the registration process. This code is needed for Emory to receive your PROFILE results.

It takes about one week from the time you submit your PROFILE application for your information to be delivered electronically to Emory. Once you have completed your PROFILE, you will receive an online PROFILE acknowledgement. Review the acknowledgment carefully to make sure it is correct and complete.

The PROFILE application requires a fee. You may pay by credit or debit card or electronic check when completing the online application.

Once you submit your PROFILE, you cannot revise your information online. Any changes must be sent directly to Emory.

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 6: 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.

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.