Applying for Aid: Prospective Students
These instructions are for prospective students and transfer applicants to Oberlin (including Canadian citizens and U.S. citizens living outside the United States).
Financial Aid Overview
Complete the steps outlined in this section to apply for need-based financial aid. Please note that Oberlin does not participate with the College Board IDOC Service.
Financial Aid Deadlines
| Steps | Early Decision I | Early Decision II | Regular Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Deadline | November 15 | January 2 | January 15 |
| Financial Aid Deadline | November 15 | January 2 | January 15 |
| Notification | December 15 | February 1 | April 1 |
| Reply Due | January 2 | February 15 | May 1 |
Students who submit their financial aid application materials by the deadline will receive their aid and scholarship package along with their notification of admission.
Early Decision applicants should register for the CSS 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.
Learn more about applying Early Decision
Undocumented Students
We recognize that undocumented students are ineligible to apply for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All applicants are required to submit the College Board PROFILE form. Please contact the financial aid office by email at financial.aid@oberlin.edu or call 800-693-3173 or 440-775-8142 with any questions.
Financial Aid Policies
Financial aid packages are based on both full-time enrollment at Oberlin and on-campus residence for a full academic year. Students who study abroad, enroll less than full time, live off campus, or commute will receive an adjustment to their financial aid packages.
CSS Profile
Students applying to Oberlin College are asked to complete several forms, including the CSS Profile application, to help the institution better assess how to equitably distribute the institutional financial aid provided by the college. The CSS Profile has no bearing on the federal assistance students receive.
The priority deadline is January 15. If you missed the priority deadline, you still should complete the CSS Profile if you wish to be considered for institutional aid. If admitted, our financial aid department will make every effort to ensure you receive a financial aid package with your admission letter.
- You must complete the CSS 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.
Who should submit the CSS Profile?
Students who are interested in applying only for federal aid (federal and state grants, loans, and/or work-study) and not institutional aid (Oberlin College grants and scholarships) should complete just the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Students wishing to be considered for both federal aid and institutional aid should complete both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile.
International students who are unable to submit the CSS Profile may complete the International Student Application for Financial Assistance and upload it to their applicant portal.
Non-Custodial Parent
If your biological parents are separated, divorced, or never married and not living together, your non-custodial parent must complete the Non-Custodial Parent Statement before the priority date of January 15. This form is required for determination of Oberlin College financial aid eligibility.
If you complete the Non-Custodial Statement through the CSS Profile, we will accept this form, but CSS does not send this to Oberlin. Therefore, you must print it out and scan and upload or fax to the Financial Aid Office directly.
PLEASE NOTE: Oberlin College does not participate in the iDoc system. All requested documents and forms must be sent directly to the Financial Aid Office. Please visit the Financial Aid Forms page for more information about submitting documentation.
FAFSA
Canadian students should skip this step.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To receive the best possible aid package, we encourage Regular Decision applicants to submit the FAFSA by the priority date of January 15.
Students and parents will each need an FSA ID to complete this process. The FSA ID ― a username and password ― has replaced the Federal Student Aid PIN and must be used to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education websites.
Federal Tax Documents
PLEASE NOTE: Oberlin College does not participate in the iDoc system. All requested documents and forms must be sent directly to the Financial Aid Office. Please visit the Financial Aid Forms page for more information about submitting documentation.
- 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 your parent(s) are not required to file a federal tax return, a non-filer statement must be completed.
Dependent Verification
Complete the 2025-26 Oberlin Dependent Verification Form by March 1.
Check Status
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 their Oberlin applicant portal to see if any required financial aid documents are missing.