To apply for need-based financial aid at Gustavus-- like grants, loans, or student employment--
all families must complete a form called the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.
- Gustavus uses "the PROFILE" to determine your family's eligibility for aid.
- You're probably more familiar with the FAFSA-- the Free Application for Federal Student Aid-- which you complete once you've finished your 2007 taxes.
- The PROFILE is a service of the College Board-- the same company that administers the SAT-- and costs $25. (This is one of the reasons we do not charge an application fee when you apply for admission.)
- The PROFILE can be completed without your current tax information, so we can give you a financial aid award much earlier than is typical.
- If, according to the PROFILE, you qualify for state or federal funds, you will still need to submit the FAFSA. If the information you report matches the PROFILE, your award won't change.
- In subsequent years, enrolled Gustavus students only need to submit the FAFSA.
- The PROFILE allows Gustavus to make earlier awards and identify those with the greatest financial need.
- If you are not applying for need-based financial aid, you do not need to complete the PROFILE or the FAFSA.
- All families-- even if they are only applying for scholarships ("merit-based" aid)-- must also complete the Gustavus Financial Aid Application. This is a four-page, salmon-colored form we mailed you after you first applied for admission.
- The Gustavus Financial Aid Application provides us with supplementary information, gives you a chance to explain special circumstances, and gives us permission to release certain data (we tell donors who have given money for scholarships and grants which students are benefiting from their generosity).
- Financial aid awards are now being mailed every week. You can expect your award about two weeks after you've submitted the PROFILE and sent the Gustavus Financial Aid Application. (The exception is students who are finalists for our President's, fine arts, and forensics scholarships. These students will receive their award-- as long as the PROFILE and Gustavus Financial Aid Application are in-- within two weeks of Scholarship Day.)
For the
financial aid timeline, to download
forms, and for
links to the PROFILE and FAFSA websites, click
here. And, we always welcome your
questions.