FINANCIAL AID AT TULANE
Ryan Toups ‘26
New Orleans, LA
As a first-generation college student, the admission application was the easy part. Where I struggled the most was with understanding financial aid. When applying for financial aid, my counselor Shantrella helped me so much when I was concerned about continuing to qualify and having my need met. While the FAFSA and CSS Profile can seem daunting, your financial aid counselors are there to help you succeed!
OUR INVESTMENT IN YOU
Tulane provides millions of dollars in financial aid every year and many of our students receive financial support with grants and scholarships ranging from $1,000 up to the full cost of attendance.
Below are the four steps to be considered for federal and institutional financial aid. If you complete the steps below, we may be able to reduce your costs significantly through federal and institutional need-based aid, merit-based scholarships, or both.
Four Steps to Apply for Financial Aid at Tulane
1. Submit the Common Application. Along with the Common App, be sure to submit supporting credentials (transcript, test scores – if not applying as a test optional candidate, recommendation letters, and any optional portfolio materials). We will use these materials to consider you for any merit-based awards, grants, or scholarships.
2. Submit the College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile). We will use this form to determine your eligibility for institutional need-based aid. You must also submit the Noncustodial Parent CSS Profile if your parents are divorced, separated, or are not living in the same household.
3. Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if you are a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen. We will use this form to determine your eligibility for federal and state aid. If you are not a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen you can still be considered for institutional need-based aid by completing the CSS Profile and submitting our Declaration & Certification of Finances (for non-U.S. citizens only).
4. Submit signed copies of your parents’ complete 2024 tax returns and 2024 W2 forms. We use these forms to validate the information you provide on your CSS Profile and FAFSA.
While we do have a small number of awards that require additional materials, including our Community Service Fellowship, the above materials will provide you with maximum consideration for the financial aid we award at Tulane.
Types of Aid
Financial aid may be awarded to students based on need or merit. “Need” is the difference between Tulane’s cost of attendance minus a family’s ability to pay (calculated from your financial aid forms). “Merit” refers to scholarships offered by the Admission Office or Tulane Athletics to reward your academic, artistic, or athletic talent.
There are also financial aid resources from federal, state, and private sources, including grants and scholarships, loans, and employment opportunities. For the complete list of available scholarships and grants visit: ADMISSION.TULANE.EDU/ TUITION-AID. Finally, there are multiple scholarship opportunities for students who live in Lousiana and graduate from a Louisiana high school. To learn more visit: ADMISSION.TULANE.EDU/TUITION-AID/LOUISIANA-RESIDENTS
Financial Aid Requirements
FOUR STEPS TO FINANCIAL AID AT TULANE