How to Apply for Financial Aid at Oberlin
To apply for need-based financial aid, complete the steps outlined below.
Be sure to meet all deadlines. Students who do not complete the application process in a timely manner may not receive full consideration for financial aid.
1. Complete the College Scholarship Service [CSS] PROFILE before the priority date of February 15.
- You must register and complete the PROFILE online.
- Include Oberlin College [code 1587] on your PROFILE registration.
- If tax returns are not yet available, complete the PROFILE with estimated income figures.
2. If your parents are separated or divorced, your non-custodial parent must complete the Non-Custodial Parent Statement before the priority date of February 15.
- The Non-Custodial Parent Statement is required for determination of Oberlin College financial aid eligibility.
Download from Financial Aid Forms page
3. File the 2011 Federal Tax Return as early as possible. Send copies of your own and your parents' signed 2011 Federal Tax Returns.
- Include copies of all W-2 forms.
- Do not send state tax returns.
- Be sure all tax returns are signed.
- If you file for a federal income tax extension, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.
- If either you or your parent(s) are not required to file a federal tax return, a non-filer statement must be completed.
4. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid [FAFSA].
Canadian students should skip this step.
- The FAFSA web site includes a FAFSA pre-application web worksheet that will help you prepare to file your FAFSA online.
- Allow 2 weeks after your 2011 Federal Tax Return have been filed
- Paper FAFSAs may be obtained by calling 800-4-FED-AID [800-433-3243].
- Include Oberlin College [Title IV code 003086] in the school section.
Please mail or fax your documents, but do not do both.
Notifications of financial aid eligibility will be sent to students admitted for the fall semester beginning in late March, and after December 1 for students admitted for the spring semester.
If you have not received a response to your aid application and you believe you should have, it may be because your application is not yet complete. Review the application steps to ensure that you have completed all steps in a timely manner. Admitted students may check PRESTO!, Oberlin's online student records system, to see if any required documents are missing.
Check my financial aid status using PRESTO!
Early Decision applicants should register for the College Scholarship Service PROFILE as soon as possible so that results of the PROFILE can be used to estimate financial aid eligibility. If all forms have been completed on time, financial aid awards for Early Decision applicants are sent soon after notification of admission.
Applicants for spring semester will receive special financial aid application instructions after applying for admission.
Oberlin College reserves the right to shred any and all non-required documents.
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Instructions for First-Time Applicants Only
These instructions are for first-time applicants only. First-time applicants include prospective and transfer applicants, including Canadian citizens and U.S. citizens living outside the United States, and returning students who have not applied for aid in a prior year.
If you have received financial aid from Oberlin in the past and wish to apply again, you must follow the instructions for returning students.
Application instructions for returning students
International students do not need to follow these procedures. International students should see the Financial Aid for International Students page.
