How to apply for financial aid STEP 1: CHECK THE BOX If you're receiving this, you've already completed the first step: indicating your intent to apply for financial aid on your admissions application to Carleton. Check! STEP 2: CSS PROFILE •
The College Board’s CSS Profile gives us a holistic understanding of a family’s financial situation and helps us determine financial need in a more equitable way.
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Custodial and noncustodial parents need to complete a CSS Profile.
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Create an account at CSSprofile.org and use school code 6081. Free for families making up to $100,000; above that, there’s a fee starting at $25.
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Use 2021 federal tax information.
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Save your profile acknowledgment.
STEP 3: FAFSA •
The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal and state aid. You must complete it to qualify for federal loans, whether subsidized or unsubsidized.
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Only the primary custodial parent needs to complete the FAFSA.
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Create an account at fafsa.gov and use Carleton’s school code: 002340. No fee.
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Use 2021 federal tax information. If prompted, please use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to import your 2021 tax data directly into the FAFSA.
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Save your Student Aid Report (SAR).
Will I get enough aid? EXAMPLE AID AWARD Meet Alex from Missouri. Alex has an older brother who is already in college. After evaluating Alex’s college savings, parental income, and family circumstances, the student financial services staff has calculated that Alex’s family can pay $19,500 this year. Alex’s Financial NEED Tuition: $62,244 Housing: + $8,439 Meal plan: + $7,551 Activity fee: + $375 Comprehensive fee $78,624 Estimated books and personal costs: + $1,876 Alex’s estimated travel costs: + $950 Cost of attendance $81,450 Alex’s expected family contribution: – $19,500 ➜ Financial NEED
=
$61,950
Carleton grant: Outside scholarship: + Low-interest loan: +
$54,750 $1,500 $3,000
Alex’s Financial AID
(reduced from $4,500 due to outside scholarship)
Student employment:
+
$2,700
➜ Financial AID
=
$61,950
➜ Alex’s NET COST
=
$19,500
HOW TO APPLY FOR MORE QUESTIONS? No problem. We're happy to help—reach out! 507-222-4138 • financialaid@carleton.edu
go.carleton.edu/afford
FINANCIAL AID FOR 2023–2024 APPLICANTS