Applying For Aid

You should begin the financial aid application process at the time you begin your application for admission. 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. Please be aware that some families will be asked for information in addition to the requirements below.

Step 1: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using FAFSA on the Web
Step 2A: College Scholarship Service PROFILE application
Step 2B: College Scholarship Service Non-Custodial PROFILE application (if applicable)
Step 3A: Parents' 2009 federal tax return
Step 3B: Non-Custodial Parent's 2009 federal tax return (if applicable)
Step 3C: Student 2009 federal tax return
Step 4: Complete file reviewed by a financial aid advisor
Step 5: Award notification

Our primary means of communicating with you throughout the year will be email. Your email address can be updated and reviewed on OPUS.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Oxford College is committed to meeting the demonstrated need of all applicants who apply on time. Late applicants will be awarded after all on-time applicants have been awarded. Funding is limited and institutional awards will be reduced for late filers.

Step 1: Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using FAFSA on the Web

Be sure to include Oxford's School Code 001564 when completing the FAFSA. This code will ensure that Oxford College receives your FAFSA information electronically from the federal processor.

Oxford College 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 also includes online instructions for each question.

In order to electronically sign your FAFSA application, you need to 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). It will take 1-3 business days after you request your PIN to receive an e-mail notification containing instructions on how to retrieve it.

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).

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 within a few days from the federal processor. 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 2A: Complete and submit the College Scholarship Service PROFILE application

Register with the College Scholarship Service, and follow the online instructions. Make sure you select PROFILE code 5186 before exiting the registration process. This code is needed for Oxford to receive your PROFILE results.

The PROFILE application requires a fee. 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 Oxford. 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.

Once you submit your PROFILE, you cannot edit your information online. Any changes must be sent directly to Oxford College.

Step 2B: Complete and submit the College Scholarship Service Non-Custodial PROFILE application if applicable

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.

The Non-Custodial Parent PROFILE is required of all students whose biological parents are divorced or separated. 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 path to the application, https://ncprofile.collegeboard.com, and the CSS ID and password needed for the non-custodial parent to log in. The Non-Custodial Parent PROFILE application requires a fee which may be paid by credit or debit card or electronic check when completing the online application.

In some cases Emory will waive the Non-Custodial Parent PROFILE with the submission of a 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. This 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 3A: Provide signed copies of your Parents' 2009 federal tax return

Provide signed copies of all tax documents, including W-2's, 1099's and all related schedules, along with any corporate and partnership returns submitted to the IRS. Computer-generated tax returns are acceptable if formatted line-by-line as a 1040. Form 8453 and 8879 are not acceptable. We will not be able to process your financial aid application without a valid signature on the submitted tax returns. Estimated or unofficial tax returns are not acceptable for verification purposes.

Write the student's full name, student ID or SSN (if student 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.

Step 3B: Provide signed copies of your Non-Custodial Parent's 2009 federal tax return if applicable

If your biological or adoptive parents are separated or divorced, have your non-custodial parent provide signed copies of all tax documents, including W-2's, 1099's and all related schedules, along with any corporate and partnership returns submitted to the IRS. Computer-generated tax returns are acceptable if formatted line-by-line as a 1040. Form 8453 is not acceptable. We will not be able to process your financial aid application without a valid signature on the submitted tax returns. Estimated or unofficial tax returns are not acceptable for verification purposes.

Step 3C: Provide signed copies of your Student 2009 federal tax return

Provide signed copies of all tax documents, including W-2's, 1099's and all related schedules, along with any corporate and partnership returns submitted to the IRS. Computer-generated tax returns are acceptable if formatted line-by-line as a 1040. Form 8453 is not acceptable. We will not be able to process your financial aid application without a valid signature on the submitted tax returns. Estimated or unofficial tax returns are not acceptable for verification purposes.

Step 4: Complete file reviewed by a financial aid advisor

Once you have been admitted to Oxford College and the requested FAFSA, PROFILE, and tax documents are received, your file will be reviewed by a Financial Aid Advisor.

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 your application status frequently.

Step 5: Award notification

After your file has been reviewed and your financial aid eligibility determined, you will be sent an award notification email to your official Emory student email address. When you receive the email, please be sure to follow all award instructions regarding how to accept or decline your awards online.

Award notification begins April 1, 2010.