Applying for Aid: Prospective Students
These instructions are for first-time applicants for financial aid: prospective and transfer applicants (including Canadian citizens and U.S. citizens living outside the United States), as well as returning students who have not applied for aid in a prior year.
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.
Overview for Prospective Students
Oberlin is committed to providing financial resources to students who would be unable to pursue an Oberlin education without such assistance. Last year, approximately 80 percent of Oberlin students demonstrated financial need and received some form of aid, with an average grant of $32,000—a total of nearly $75 million.
To apply for need-based financial aid, complete the steps outlined in this section. Be sure to meet all deadlines.
Please note that Oberlin does not participate with the College Board IDOC Service.
An education at Oberlin is more affordable than you might think. For a quick estimate of your eligibility for need-based scholarships and how they will affect the total cost of your education, try the MyinTuition Quick College Cost Estimator.
For a more comprehensive estimate, see the Net Price Calculator, which is based on the U.S. Department of Education template. To learn more about Oberlin’s billing cycle and financing plans, see Cost and Payment Options.
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 a CSS Profile application?
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.
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 email 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 you to submit the FAFSA by the priority date of January 15. Applications can be submitted beginning October 1.
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.
Learn how to create your FSA ID
You can save time when filing your FAFSA by using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to pull your financial information directly into your FAFSA from your tax return. The IRS Data Retrieval Tool is fast, accurate, secure, and streamlines the FAFSA filing process.
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 either you or your parent(s) are not required to file a federal tax return, a non-filer statement must be completed.
Dependent Verification
Complete the 2020-21 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 Banner Self Service, Oberlin's online student records system, to see if any required documents are missing.
Learn More
When will I find out about my financial aid award?