Undergraduate Financial Aid Application and Award Notification Process

Prospective freshmen	Restrictive Early Action, November 15, 2008
Prospective freshmen	Regular Decision, February 15, 2009
Prospective transfers	March 15, 2009
Returning students	April 15, 2009

APPLICANT DOCUMENTS

U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents who wish to be considered for all available funding administered by Stanford should submit the following documents:

Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA): file online at http://fafsa.ed.gov. Freshman applicants who are California residents must file the FAFSA and submit a GPA Verification Form to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) by March 2, 2009, for Cal Grant consideration.
CSS PROFILE application: file online at http://profileonline.collegeboard.com
Copies of parents' 2008 W-2 forms. Continuing students should submit copies directly to the FAO. New applicants should submit signed copies of their parents' 2008 federal tax returns and W-2 forms to the CSS IDOC service.

U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents who wish to apply only for federal aid consideration do not need to file the CSS PROFILE; they should file the FAFSA and submit tax documents directly to the FAO.

International students (except Canadians) should complete and submit the International Student Financial Aid Application and Certification of Finances directly to the FAO. Canadians should file the CSS PROFILE and submit tax documents as listed above.

Students whose application materials are filed after the priority filing deadlines or who have not secured all external need-based funds such as Pell and Cal Grants can expect higher amounts of student responsibility in their financial aid packages.

Applicants and their parents are required to submit accurate and complete information on all application documents. The University participates in the U.S. Department of Education's Quality Assurance Program to evaluate the accuracy of aid application data. As part of this program, the FAO may request additional documentation to verify reported data. Students who fail to submit the requested documentation will have their financial aid funds withheld or canceled and their future registration placed on hold. Financial aid awards may change as a result of the verification process.

NOTIFICATION DATES

In December, the FAO notifies Restrictive Early Action applicants who apply by the November filing date of their estimated financial aid award. The FAO notifies freshman applicants who apply by the February 15 filing date in early April. Transfer applicants who apply by the March 15 filing date are normally notified of their financial aid award within five days of their notice of admission.

The FAO begins sending award notices to continuing and returning applicants in early August. Applicants who file after the priority filing date may not have a financial aid award or funds secured for disbursement by the Autumn Quarter payment due date.

FINANCING OPTIONSThe federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) program is available to help parents cover all or part of the expected family through a low-interest, long-term loan. PLUS loans are to all parents who meet credit requirements regardless of their computed financial need. See the Financial Aid Office web site at http://financialaid.stanford.edu for details on the PLUS program. Parents should also contact their employers for information about that may be available to them as employees' benefits to help meet college costs.

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Stanford Bulletin, Archive 2008-09

Stanford Bulletin, Archive 2008-09

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