How to Apply

To apply for financial assistance at Emerson College, you must submit the following requirements:

Federal Need-Based Aid

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Form using the Emerson College school code: 002146.

Note: Other documentation may be required if notified by the Office of Financial Aid.

For the 2021–2022 academic year, please note the following Priority Deadlines for the FAFSA:

  • Fall 2023 Semester: August 1, 2023
  • Spring 2024 Semester: December 5, 2023

Eligibility

Emerson offers several need-based and merit-based financial aid programs. To be considered for merit-based aid, you should have a distinguished academic record, or demonstrate leadership or outstanding potential either in your school or community. To apply for need-based aid, you must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident and you must follow the application steps below. View our Graduate Student Eligibility Requirements for further information.

Financial aid applications must be received before the end of the academic year, in order to be considered for aid in that academic year. For students only attending in the fall, you must submit your application at least one week prior to the last day of the fall semester to allow for processing. For students attending the full year or spring only, you must submit your application at least one week prior to the last day of the spring semester to allow for processing. If your application isn’t completed by that time, you will not be eligible to receive either Emerson or federal financial aid for that academic year.

Federal Verification Process

The US Department of Education (ED) selects certain FAFSA files for a review process called verification. When this happens, the Office of Financial Aid is required to ensure that the information reported on your FAFSA is accurate.

If your application has been selected, your financial aid document checklist will be updated with a list of documents that need to be submitted to complete this review process.. Federal verification is an important part of the financial aid application process. We cannot process your financial aid award until the verification review is complete, so we encourage timely submission of all requested documents.

Emerson’s federal verification deadline is the end of the semester or academic year for which the student is enrolled, whichever is sooner.

Applicants should submit all requested documents through their Admission Portal. If all documents are not received by the first week of classes, students should submit any outstanding documents through their SFS Portal.

Emerson specific forms requested to complete the verification process can be found on our Forms and Instructions page. 

Please note:

  • Federal verification for the 2023-24 academic year requires 2021 income tax information.
  • Federal verification for the 2022-23 academic year requires 2020 income tax information.

Document Submission

Financial aid application materials must be mailed to:

Emerson College
Office of Financial Aid
120 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116

Please do not fax or email documents.