Office of Financial Aid

Information for Prospective Students

How Do I Apply For Financial Aid at Oberlin?

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 $59 million.

To apply for need-based financial aid, complete the steps outlined in this section. Be sure to meet all deadlines.

Students applying to Oberlin College are asked to complete several forms and worksheets, including the CSS Profile Application, to help the institution better assess how to equitably distribute the more than $59 million in institutional financial aid provided by the college. The CSS Profile Application has no bearing on the federal assistance students receive.

Students that are ONLY interested in applying for Federal Aid (federal and state grants, loans, and/or work-study) and not Institutional Aid (Oberlin College grants and scholarships) should only complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

Students wishing to be considered for BOTH Federal Aid and Institutional Aid should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) AND the CSS Profile. 

Please Note

Returning  students needing to borrow or renew a Parent PLUS Loan

You MUST reapply each year for a Parent PLUS Loan, even if you had one last year and we have added it to the package for this year. Please visit: www.studentloans.gov to complete the Parent PLUS Loan application online OR download and complete the Parent PLUS Loan application form from our website and email or fax to our office. Be sure to indicate on your application the amount you wish to borrow and whether you want it for the entire year or simply one semester.

Loans can be extremely useful, but understanding their terms and conditions can be confusing. We've centralized loan information in this section to help you find the answers to your loan questions.