Saturday, May 14, 2011

Apply for Financial Aid


Princeton offers an online financial aid application, as well as a paper application for students who aren't able to apply online.

How to Apply for Financial Aid at Princeton

1. Complete the Princeton Financial Aid Application (PFAA) on the web

The PFAA is free and easy to use for both U.S. and international applicants.  Links to detailed instructions on how to access and complete the online application are located on the right hand side of this page.

2. Send a copy of your parents' 2010 tax return and W-2 statements

Once you submit the PFAA, you'll receive an acknowledging e-mail that includes a six digit Application Number.  Write this number on your parents' tax documents and e-mail, fax or mail them directly to our office.

3. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, complete the FAFSA which is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

The PFAA Online

Before completing the financial aid application online, you must register for a login account.

Once you register, simply log in to the application and follow the instructions found there. For extra help, you can download the instructions for applying for financial aid, or check out our tips for applying for aid online. If you still have questions, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

If you choose to file the College Scholarship Service PROFILE form and release it for a fee to Princeton, you can use the data you submitted in filling out part of your Princeton application. Please note that the PROFILE isn't required by Princeton and is not accepted on its own; this option is offered simply as a convenience.

The PFAA Paper Version

Most families complete the online application, which is the most efficient way to apply for financial aid. However, if you are unable to complete an online application, you may contact the financial aid office to request a paper application.