Update on Financial Aid for the 2015-2016 Academic Year

Oberlin’s Office of Financial Aid continues to be committed to providing all eligible students with guidance and counseling on how to apply for all forms of financial aid in order to pay a portion of Oberlin costs. As in previous years, the financial aid office has reaffirmed its historic commitment of meeting 100 percent of each eligible student’s demonstrated need by increasing the 2015-16 financial aid budget to more than $63 million.

As a first step, we will extend office hours from now until Friday, June 12, to provide additional counseling services. The office will be open each weekday from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. We gladly invite students and parents—we can conference call or Skype with parents at a distance—to talk with a financial aid officer about their applications and award packages.

Additionally, we want to make sure that all students know how to access the financial aid appeals process. While federal regulations require that the initial aid application contain prior year verifiable income and asset information, we realize family circumstances can change over time. With this understanding, the financial aid office is open to learning about families that have undergone a substantial economic hardship—for example, job loss or significant health issues—and counseling students through the formal appeal process. In some instances, an adjustment to the financial information provided on the aid application can be made, and additional aid may be available.

Finally, staff in the financial aid office will be available throughout the summer as in past years to review a student’s award package and help determine final educational costs for the 2015-2016 academic year. Staff will also be happy to discuss any additional matters or questions that a family may have.