Financial Aid
Applying for Financial Aid

First Year Students

As with many new experiences, the financial aid application process may seem both complicated and overwhelming. However, if you meet the application deadlines and complete all of the required forms, you will find the entire process straightforward. The St. Lawrence University financial aid staff is available by phone, on-line, or in-person to assist you every step of the way.

Applying for financial aid is an annual process. There are many factors used in calculating eligibility for financial aid. For example, a student who doesn't qualify one year might become eligible during the next year when a sibling enrolls in college. Changes in family financial circumstances might affect your eligibility for need-based student aid each year.

To apply for need-based student financial aid from St. Lawrence University and the federal government, including St. Lawrence University Grants, Federal Pell and Supplemental Opportunity Grants, Federal Student Perkins and Direct Loans, and work-study, you will need to submit a minimum of two applications. The first is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). There is no charge for submitting this form.

FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID
(FAFSA): The FAFSA is a student's application for federal and need-based aid programs and will be mailed to students who have indicated an interest in applying for financial aid. Students may also apply on line (www.fafsa.ed.gov/). Students should submit the FAFSA no earlier than January 1 and no later than February 1st. St. Lawrence's school code is 002829. Please note that the FAFSA will NOT be available until November 2008 and can not be filed until January 1, 2009.

The second required form is either the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile form or the St. Lawrence University Financial Aid application.

CSS/FINANCIAL AID PROFILE:
Completion of the Profile is a two-step process: 1. Registration, and 2. Application. Call the College Scholarship Service (CSS) at 800-778-6888, or via the Internet at www.collegeboard.com, to complete the registration indicating St. Lawrence University as one of the schools to receive the information (CSS code 2805).

New Student Financial Aid Supplement:
The St. Lawrence University Financial Aid Application will be automatically mailed to students who indicate an interest in being considered for financial assistance. It is also available for you to print from this site. Please note that the file is in PDF format and you will need Adobe Acrobat to view and print it. If you need Acrobat, download it here first before proceeding to the appropriate Financial Aid Application:

First Year Students Entering Fall 2009
First-Year Students Entering Spring 2009

Verification Worksheet:
 The Verification Worksheet is required by the U.S. Department of Education to assist us in verifying information supplied on the FAFSA form for the 2008-09 academic year.

Independent Student Verification Worksheet
Dependent Student Verification Worksheet

You will need information from the following documents to complete the FAFSA and other financial aid application forms. (And, the SLU Financial Aid Office will request certain copies of some of these forms for verification purposes.)

Don't worry if you have not completed your income tax returns by the application deadlines mentioned above. All you need to do is provide your best estimates on the forms and make any corrections after the income tax forms are filed.

  • The student's driver's license (if available) and social security card.
  • The student's income tax returns, W-2 forms, and 1099 forms for the previous year. If the student is married, you will also need the documents for the student's spouse.
  • The parents' income tax returns, W-2 forms, and 1099 forms for the previous year.
  • Current bank statements and mortgage information.
  • Records relating to stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other investments.
  • Documentation of non-taxable income, such as Social Security income, AFDC, and Veterans Benefits.
  • Business and farm records.
  • Records relating to any unusual family financial circumstances, such as medical and dental expenses not covered by health insurance, unusually high child care costs, death, divorce, and loss of employment.

    The Priority Deadline at SLU for filing the FAFSA, Profile and/or the St. Lawrence University aid application is February 1st. If you are interested in applying to St. Lawrence through our Early Decision Program, go to the Early Decision financial aid information.