The financial aid application process runs concurrently with the admission process, but there are forms to complete and deadlines to keep in mind.
Merit Scholarships
December 1 is Grinnell's Priority Common Application Deadline for Merit Scholarships. No separate scholarship application is required.
Need-Based Financial Aid
|
Admission Round |
Early Decision I | Early Decision II | Regular Decision | 2020 Fall Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Financial Aid Deadline |
Nov. 15 | Jan. 1 | Jan. 15 | April 1 |
|
Award Notification |
mid-late December | early February | late March / early April | mid-May |
Financial aid deadlines correspond with admission deadlines. See Prospective Students for a step-by-step guide on applying for need-based financial aid at Grinnell College.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
The majority of financial aid awarded by Grinnell is in the form of institutional grant assistance, such as the Grinnell Grant. To apply for institutional financial aid, complete the CSS Profile and additional forms as requested.
To apply for federal and state financial aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Applicants completing only the FAFSA will be considered for the following types of financial aid:
- Iowa Tuition Grant
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
- Federal Subsidized Direct Loan
- Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan
- Federal PLUS Loan
The 2021--22 FAFSA and CSS Profile will use income from two years prior (2019) as the basis for calculations. This will allow students/families to complete the 2021-22 forms as early as October 1, 2020.
Tax data reported should come directly from your 2019 federal tax return. On the FAFSA we ask that, when prompted, you use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to download tax information directly from the IRS. However, keep in mind that not all tax filers are eligible to use this tool. The instructions of each form reference the tax return line numbers that you will need.
If your family is experiencing unusual circumstances and the 2019 income does not accurately reflect your current resources, please feel free to provide additional information and documentation directly to the Office of Financial Aid.
All other information requested on the CSS Profile and FAFSA, including marital status and assets, should be reported as of the date the application is submitted.