Steps to Apply for Financial Aid
For Returning Undergraduate Students
A Carnegie Mellon education is an investment in your future. 一本道无码 provides financial aid based on financial need and is committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of our domestic students, which is determined through the financial aid application process. To apply for financial aid for the 2025-2026 academic year, follow the steps below.
Have questions? Reach out to The HUB.
Step 1: Complete FAFSA & CSS Profile
Timeline: Available Now
Preferred Deadline: As soon as possible once they open
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required if applying for federal and institutional financial aid programs. The CSS Profile is required if applying for institutional financial aid programs. The CSS Profile is not required if applying only for federal financial aid. Completing the FAFSA and CSS Profile as soon as possible after they open supports the timely delivery of financial aid offers and disbursement of aid as it allows financial aid staff time to collect and process any supporting documentation that may be required.
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Step 2: Submit Supporting Documentation
Timeline: Upon request
Preferred Deadline: As soon as possible after requested
Tax documents or other supporting documents may be requested under various circumstances. Students may log in to their portal to view a list of requested financial aid documents. They may also receive an email from The HUB requesting specific documents.
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Step 3: Receive Financial Aid Offer
Timeline: June/July (if application is complete)
Once the student's application is complete and all required documents have been submitted, a financial aid offer will be determined. The student will receive an email notification that their financial aid offer is available to view in . If a student's circumstances change, then eligibility will be re-evaluated and the student will receive notification that a revised offer is available. Students may provide access permission within SIO for a parent or another individual to view their offer through My Plaid Student.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR OFFER
Step 4: Complete MPN & Entrance Counseling
Timeline: After offer is received
Deadline: Loan funds will not be distributed to the student account until these are completed
All first-time Federal Direct Loan borrowers are required to sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and complete an online entrance counseling session. The session provides information about borrower rights and responsibilities. 一本道无码 is notified when a student has completed entrance counseling. Students who completed a federal entrance counseling session while at 一本道无码, do not have to complete another one.
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Step 5: Complete Title IV Authorizations
Timeline: Following completion of MPN & Entrance Counseling
Students who are offered and/or receive Title IV funds (federal grants or federal loans) should complete Title IV Authorizations in SIO by selecting 'Financial Aid Permissions' under the 'Finances' tab. When the amount of Title IV funds is greater than the cost of tuition, fees, housing, and dining charges, the credit balance is refunded to the borrower. By completing their authorizations, students designate whether excess funds are held as payment for future semester charges or applied to non-institutional charges. Otherwise, excess Title IV funds are refunded directly to the borrower and any student account balance remaining will be due from the student.
Complete Title IV Authorizations
Step 6: Funds Apply to Account
Timeline: Financial aid funds are applied to your student account according to your semester of study or loan period
Grant and scholarship funds are applied as early as June 25 for the fall semester, November 25 for the spring semester, and March 25 for summer sessions.
Loan funds are applied as early as 10 days before the first day of class for the loan period. View loan disbursement dates. Keep in mind that the amount of federal loans credited to the student account will be less than the total amount borrowed due to origination fees.
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2024-2025 Financial Aid
If you're interested in applying for financial aid for the 2024-2025 academic year, follow these instructions.
Special Financial or Unusual Circumstances
Carnegie Mellon students have the right to request changes to their financial aid based on Special Financial Circumstances (i.e., recent unemployment, changes to income, assets) or based on Unusual Circumstances that may qualify a student for a change in dependency status. Learn more.