How to Apply for Aid
Incoming Freshmen Applicants | Upper-class Students
Incoming Freshmen Applicants
If you're applying for financial aid for the first time, this page will walk you through the process.
To receive financial aid, you must complete the application process. Additionally, to ensure that you're given full consideration for all financial aid programs, you should file your financial aid forms with their respective processing centers by the priority deadlines listed on this page. (Early Decision candidates will need to submit forms earlier. See details below or on the Early Decision section of the Admissions Web site. If actual 2007 income information will not be available by the deadlines, please estimate to the best of your ability.
1. College Scholarship Service PROFILE Form
This form is required if you wish to be considered for Holy Cross need-based grants and scholarships. Be aware, the CSS PROFILE Form is a TWO STEP application process. You can begin the online application process immediately after you register, or you can come back later. You must complete both steps in order for a viable financial aid application to be available.
- Step 1: December 25, 2007 - Register by going on line to the CSS web site at www.collegeboard.com. Make sure to include Holy Cross' CSS code number (3282) in order to ensure that we will receive your application.
- Step 2: February 1, 2008 - Complete your personalized PROFILE application and submit it to the processing agency. Early Decision applicants should register for PROFILE by October 15, 2007 and submit their completed PROFILE application by November 1, 2007.
2. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA
This form is required of all students who intend to apply for financial aid. The priority filing date for the FAFSA is February 1, 2008. Holy Cross' federal school code is 002141. Make sure you include this number or Holy Cross' full name and address on the FAFSA to ensure that we will receive this document. You may file the FAFSA on line at www.fafsa.ed.gov or by acquiring the paper version (available at your high school guidance office) and submitting it via mail to the processing agency.
3. 2007 Federal Tax Forms
We are requesting that, if possible, complete, signed copies of actual federal tax forms including all schedules and W-2s be submitted for both the parent(s) and student by February 15, 2008. Holy Cross requires all students who receive need-based assistance to submit such documentation in order to verify their eligibility for the assistance received. By collecting this documentation previous to an award being offered, we are attempting to reduce the number of awards that must be adjusted due to poor income estimates. We will offer an estimated financial aid award to any student who does not submit these documents prior to the point of review. However, if you enroll at Holy Cross and have not already done so, you will be required to submit this documentation before your financial aid award will become final. If neither you and/or your parent(s) file a tax form you must complete a Non-Filer Statement.
Other forms
After registering for the CSS Profile, you may be instructed to complete the following documents:
- A Business/Farm Supplement if business, partnership or corporate income is part of your family's reported income or assets. The Profile will instruct you to download this form and print it.
- A Non-Custodial Parent Form (NCP Form) must be completed by your non-custodial parent if your parents are divorced or separated.
At the end of the Profile registration process, students are prompted to contact the non-custodial parent with information on how to complete the NCP Form. Students will receive an e-mail, which outlines the process for the non-custodial parent to access the website and submit the form. Students should forward this message to the non-custodial parent. In situations where the e-mail is deleted or lost, the non-custodial parent should directly contact the Collegeboard to obtain their password and log-in. The non-custodial parent will be responsible for the $18 processing fee, charged by the College Scholarship Service. Students who are unable to send this information electronically to their non-custodial parent should contact the Financial Aid Office for a paper copy of the NCP Form.
Notification of financial aid decisions
If you submit a complete financial aid application you will be notified of your financial aid award shortly after you receive an offer of admission, no later than April 15, 2008.
Upper-class Students
This page contains information regarding the financial aid application process for continuing and transfer students.
To insure that your application is given priority consideration for financial assistance, it is imperative that you complete your financial aid applications correctly and on time. Late filers will be processed in due course as time and fund availability allow. Following you will find important deadlines for the financial aid application process. More complete information and filing instructions can be found in "2008-2009 Financial Aid Application Instructions", which is part of the renewal application materials packet. If you have not already received this information it can be requested directly from the Financial Aid Office.
Here are the dates you need to know:- Mid-January 2008 - Financial Aid Office notifies students of renewal aid process. If you are not currently receiving financial assistance from Holy Cross, please contact the Financial Aid Office for information.
- April 15, 2008 - Deadline to file FAFSA with processing agency. If possible, this form should be submitted with actual 2006 federal income tax information. (FAFSA may need to by filed prior to this date in order to qualify for some state scholarships). The FAFSA may be filed on line at the FAFSA web site. In order to ensure our receipt of this form, you must include Holy Cross' full name and address or our federal school code (002141) when you file.
- April 15, 2008 - Deadline to file CSS PROFILE Basic Application with processing agency. If possible, this form should be submitted with actual 2007 federal income information. If applicable, the CSS Business/Farm Supplement and/or the Noncustodial Parent's Statement should be mailed directly to the Holy Cross Financial Aid Office by this deadline. The PROFILE may be filed on line at the CSS web site. In order to ensure our receipt of this form, make sure to include Holy Cross' CSS code number (3282) when filing the application.
- April 15, 2008 - Deadline to file 2007 US income tax forms with the IRS. Signed copies of both parent and student 2007 federal tax forms, with all schedules and W2 forms attached, are to be sent directly to the Holy Cross Financial Aid Office by this date. If your tax forms will not be completed by this date, you should send them as soon as they become available. However, keep in mind that a financial aid application will not be considered complete until all necessary documentation is received. Drafts are not acceptable in lieu of copies of actual, filed tax forms. If parent or student will not file a 2007 federal tax return, you must complete a Non-Filer Statement.