Early Decision Applicants

Please understand that the tentative financial aid package for Early Decision applicants is estimated and not final. It may change when additional requirements are received and data is verified. When the financial aid application is complete and verified, an official financial aid package letter will be available online.

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 Eligibility Requirements section for further information. Financial aid funding is based on several factors including, but not limited to: meeting financial aid deadlines; demonstrated financial need; enrollment status; living arrangements; and satisfactory academic progress. Students who live off-campus may see a change in institutional award eligibility as a result of moving off-campus.

Financial Aid Deadlines

*Only if instructed to complete by the Office of Financial Aid: IRS Tax Transcripts, W2s, Verification Worksheet, etc.

Additional Details

• Signed copies of your parent(s) 2023 federal tax returns, including all schedules and W2's.
• Signed copies of student's 2023 federal tax returns, including all schedules.

Federal Need-Based Aid

Requires the FAFSA only (unless selected for verification).

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Form

You may submit this form to the Federal Processing Center beginning in December 2024. It must be received and processed by the Federal Processor before the noted deadline. Our FAFSA school code is 002146.

Institutional Need-Based Aid

Requires the CSS Profile, in addition to any other documents requested by the Office of Financial Aid.

CSS Profile Application

You may complete this application beginning now. CollegeBoard (CSS) will transmit the data to Emerson College as long as you pay the appropriate fees. Our CSS Profile school code is 3367. This application must be received and processed before the above deadline to be considered for institutional need-based funds.

Additional documentation if applicable (view specific dates & deadlines)

Additional Details

If your parents are divorced or separated:

The noncustodial parent needs to fill out the Noncustodial Parent Statement. Emerson College does not participate in the Noncustodial Profile offered by the College Board. This application must be received by above the deadline for consideration of institutional need-based funds. To waive the statement, read our Noncustodial Parent Statement & Waivers FAQ.

If you receive an initial tentative financial aid package, you may be required to submit the remaining documents to complete your file and verify your aid offer. Additional documents may include:

• Signed copies of your parent(s) 2023 federal tax returns, including all schedules and W2's.
• Signed copies of student's 2023 federal tax returns, including all schedules.
• Any additional documentation requested by the Office of Financial Aid.

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.

Document Submission

Financial aid application materials must be uploaded via the uploader tool on the admission portal OR mailed to:

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

Please do not fax or email documents.