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 1A: 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.

The PROFILE application requires a fee. PROFILE registrations are not transferable from year-to-year. You may pay by credit or debit card or electronic check when completing the online application.

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

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

Step 1B: If you are applying for institutional aid AND your biological/adoptive parents are divorced/separated, your non-custodial parent must complete and submit the Non-Custodial Parent PROFILE application

Emory's primary objective in awarding need-based financial aid is to assist as many students as possible, taking into account possible sources of funding from the student, the custodial parent, and the non-custodial parent.

A Non-Custodial PROFILE Application is required of all students whose biological or adoptive parents are divorced or separated. In addition to the PROFILE, a signed and complete copy of the 2009 Federal Income Tax Return is required from the non-custodial parent as well as from the custodial parent and the student. If you indicate on the PROFILE that the marital status of the biological or adoptive parents is either separated, divorced, or never married, the College Scholarship Service will email you instructions for completion of the online Non-Custodial Parent PROFILE Application which can then be forwarded to your non-custodial parent. The instructions will include the URL for the application, https://ncprofile.collegeboard.com, and the CSS ID and password needed for the non-custodial parent to log in. The Non-Custodial PROFILE Application requires a fee which may be paid by credit/debit card or electronic check when completing the application.

In some cases, Emory will waive the Non-Custodial PROFILE with the submission of the Non-Custodial Parent Waiver Petition. Instances when waivers are granted are in situations where abuse, a restraining order, incarceration, or total disability, etc. exists. The Waiver request form must be completed and submitted to this office accompanied by a letter of support from a third party who has knowledge of the family's situation regarding the non-custodial parent. The third party confirmation can come from someone speaking in an official capacity such as a counselor, a minister, a social caseworker, etc. Letters from neighbors or other family members are not sufficient.

Completion of the Non-Custodial Parent Waiver Petition does not automatically ensure that non-custodial information will be waived. We review each situation individually and make the most equitable decision possible with the information provided.

Step 2: 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:

You can file online for 2010-11 award year beginning January 1, 2010.

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). 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 provided you (and your parents, if applicable) have provided electronic signatures (using your PIN).

If you decide to file a paper FAFSA instead, you can find one at your local library, post secondary school, or by contacting the Federal Student Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.

Step 3: 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 will 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 internet. If you filed a paper FAFSA, you will 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 4: Provide signed copies of your Parents' 2009 Federal Tax Return and 2009 Business Return (if applicable). Provide a signed copy of your Non-Custodial Parents' 2009 Federal Tax Return and 2009 Business Return (if applicable) if your biological/adoptive parents are divorced or separated.

Mail returns to the Office of Financial Aid in time to meet the May 1 deadline.

Step 5: Provide signed copies of your Student 2009 federal tax return.

Mail returns to the Office of Financial Aid in time to meet the May 1 deadline. If you were not required to file a tax return, please let us know by sending a signed statement when you send your parents’ return.

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 7: 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.