Questions and Answers About the Financial Aid Process
| New Students | Returning Students |
How do I apply for aid?
1. Submit the Application for Financial Aid and Scholarships (AFA)
- by November 15 for Early Decision I
- by January 1 for Early Decision II
- by February 1 for Regular Decision
- by November 1 for Spring Transfer
- by April 1 for Fall Transfer
2. Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no later than February 1 for Regular Decision. Early Decision deadline is April 1.
- Grinnell's Title IV school code is 001868.
- If your family is unsure of certain income tax information, it is better to estimate amounts than to delay submitting the FAFSA and AFA until IRS tax forms have been completed.
3. If you are eligible for need-based aid, a preliminary award will be mailed with your admission decision. To receive the final award, need-based recipients will be required to use the FAFSA IRS Data Retrieval process and submit copies of W-2 forms and Schedules C & SE (if self-employed) when they pay their deposit. If your family is unable to use the FAFSA IRS Data Retrieval process, you will be required to submit official student and parent tax transcripts from the IRS.
Remember: The FAFSA must be completed online no later than February 1 for Regular Decision. You may estimate in order to meet deadlines. Failure to list Grinnell College may result in a delayed award. The Grinnell College Title IV school code is 001868.
