Franklin & MarshallHeader Logo

Apply for Financial Aid

Home / Financial Aid / Apply for Financial Aid

Completing the financial aid process is just as important as completing your F&M application. If you intend to apply for financial aid, be sure to review everything you need to know about how to apply.

Apply for Financial Aid

Information & Deadlines

Applying as a First-Year Student

If you’re admitted to F&M, we will meet 100% of your institutionally determined financial need for all four years on campus. Even if your financial situation changes during your time at F&M, we will adjust your financial aid package accordingly. 

If you’re applying for financial aid as an incoming first-year student, you will need to submit:

  • CSS Profile (Fall 2024/Spring 2025)
  • 2024-2025 FAFSA. Available January 2024. Until your FAFSA becomes available, your federal aid will be estimated.
  • 2022 Tax Documents (signed) uploaded to IDOC. This includes all W-2s, all personal and business schedules (i.e. Form 1120-S, Form 1065, Schedule K-1s, Schedules C and E).

Application Dates to Remember

Early Decision I
November 15
(Notified by Dec. 15)
Early Decision II
January 15
(Notified by Feb. 15)
Regular Decision
January 15
(Notified by April 1)

 
If you're admitted to F&M without financial aid in your first year, you will not be eligible for financial assistance in subsequent years. This means that if you wish to be considered for institutional need-based aid during the duration of their enrollment at the College, you must apply for institutional need-based financial aid from F&M prior to being admitted to the College. Therefore as an entering student completing the financial aid intent question on the Common Application or Coalition Application, the response must be "YES." Students may apply and will be considered for federal financial aid every year whether or not they applied for institutional need-based aid as a first-year or transfer student. Federal financial aid includes the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant, Federal Work-Study and the Federal Direct Loan Program.

Applying as an International Student

If you intend to apply for financial aid as an international student, you will need to submit the CSS Profile (Fall 2024/Spring 2025) or the Application for Financial Assistance. 

Please keep in mind that while the amount of aid is generous, it is also limited. If you require a high level of aid, the admission process becomes more competitive. If you’re admitted to F&M, we will meet 100% of your institutionally determined financial need for all four years on campus based upon your family contribution and the information provided to F&M prior to admission. You will not be required to file a new CSS Profile each year. If the College's standard tuition, fees, room and board change in future academic years, your financial aid will be adjusted to reflect those changes. However, changes in circumstances that affect your acceptance or in subsequent years will not be considered.

If you’re not requesting financial aid, you must submit a Certification of Finances form. This form will be accessible to you after you submit your admission application. If you’re admitted to F&M without financial aid in your first year, you will not be eligible for financial assistance in subsequent years.


Completing the financial aid process is just as important as completing the application itself. Your application will not be reviewed until we have all your financial aid documents, whether they include the CSS Profile or Certification of Finances form. When completed, visit your F&M Application Portal to ensure your application to F&M is fully complete and ready for review. When in doubt, feel free to inquire about your status by emailing the F&M Office of Admission at intladmissions@fandm.edu or calling at (877) 678-9111.

Application Dates to Remember

Early Decision I
November 15
(Notified by Dec. 15)
Early Decision II
January 15
(Notified by Feb. 15)
Regular Decision
January 15
(Notified by April 1)
Transfer (Fall)
April 15
(Notified by June 1)
Transfer (Spring)
November 1
(Notified by Nov. 15)

 

Applying as a Transfer

If you’re admitted to F&M, we will meet 100% of your institutionally determined financial need. Even if your financial situation changes during your time at F&M, we will adjust your financial aid package accordingly. 

If you’re applying for financial aid as a transfer student, you will need to submit: 

  • CSS Profile (Fall 2024/Spring 2025)
  • 2024-2025 FAFSA. Available January 2024. Until your FAFSA becomes available, your federal aid will be estimated.
  • 2022 Tax Documents (signed) uploaded to IDOC. This includes all W-2s, all personal and business schedules (i.e. Form 1120-S, Form 1065, Schedule K-1s, Schedules C and E).

Application Dates to Remember

Transfer (Fall)
April 15
(Notified by June 1)
Transfer (Spring)
November 1
(Notified by Nov. 15)

 


If you're admitted to F&M without financial aid in your first year, you will not be eligible for financial assistance in subsequent years. This means that if you wish to be considered for institutional need-based aid during the duration of their enrollment at the College, you must apply for institutional need-based financial aid from F&M prior to being admitted to the College. Therefore as an entering student completing the financial aid intent question on the Common Application or Coalition Application, the response must be "YES." Students may apply and will be considered for federal financial aid every year whether or not they applied for institutional need-based aid as a first-year or transfer student. Federal financial aid includes the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant, Federal Work-Study and the Federal Direct Loan Program.

Applying as a Returning Student

If you’re applying for financial aid as a returning student, you will need to submit: 

If you’re applying for financial aid as a returning student, you will need to submit: 

  • CSS Profile (Fall 2024/Spring 2025)
  • 2024-2025 FAFSA. Available January 2024. 
  • 2022 Tax Documents (signed) uploaded to IDOC. This includes all W-2s, all personal and business schedules (i.e. Form 1120-S, Form 1065, Schedule K-1s, Schedules C and E).

Application Dates to Remember

Returning Student
April 1
(Notified by June 30)

 

Filling Out Your Financial Aid Applications

FAFSA

Needed for first-year, transfer applicants, and returning students. Available for U.S. residents only.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is an online application for federal student aid. There is no fee to apply.

Per Federal Regulations and effective with the 2024-2025 academic year, the definitions for custodial and noncustodial parent have been updated.

  • Custodial Parent: Income and assets are reported on the FAFSA and CSS Profile for the parent who provides the most financial support over the 12 months prior to filing the FAFSA and CSS Profile even if the student does not live with that parent or lives with the other parent.
  • Noncustodial Parent: Income and assets are NOT reported on the FAFSA.

F&M’s FAFSA School Code: 003265

Available 01/01/2024 for 2024-2025 only.

Must be completed each academic year.

Complete the FAFSA »

CSS Profile

Needed for first-year domestic, first-year international, transfer applicants, and returning students.

The CSS Profile is an online application administered by the College Board. When you fill out the CSS Profile, you are applying to receive need-based aid directly from a college’s funds.

The first application is $25. Reports to additional schools are $16 each. If you need help with the form, the CSS Profile Overview provides helpful tips and resources. A fee waiver is provided by CSS Profile if parent income is under $100K.

Per Federal Regulations and effective with the 2024-2025 academic year, the definitions for custodial and noncustodial parent have been updated.

  • Noncustodial Parent: Income and assets are reported on the Noncustodial CSS Profile for the parent who DID NOT provide the most financial support over the 12 months prior to filing the CSS Profile even if the student lives with the noncustodial parent or lives with the custodial parent.
  • Custodial Parent: Income and assets are reported on the FAFSA and CSS Profile for the parent who provides the most financial support over the 12 months prior to filing the FAFSA and CSS Profile even if the student does not live with that parent or lives with the other parent.

Students with Divorced/Separated Parents

Franklin & Marshall College recognizes that parents do not end their relationship with their children when they divorce/separate and that all parents have a responsibility to provide for their children. We do not think it is fair to ask students who have two married parents to pay more for college than students with two parents who are not married to each other.

If the student’s biological/adoptive parents do not share the same household, both the student's biological/adoptive parent(s) will complete their own CSS Profile application. Each parent will access their CSS Profile with different College Board log-in credentials. To maintain confidentiality, the student and the custodial parent will need to ensure that the noncustodial parent does not know the student’s College Board account password.

Students who reside in the U.S. must complete the CSS Profile each academic year.

F&M’s CSS Profile Code: 2261
Complete your CSS Profile »

Required Forms

Needed for first-year, transfer applicants, and returning students. 

After you complete the CSS Profile, you will receive an email from the College Board providing instructions for uploading your federal tax documents to IDOC. We encourage you to upload all of your documents at one time. 

Federal tax documents include:

  • Parent and student SIGNED Federal Tax Return
  • All W-2s, all schedules and business schedules for S-Corporations (Form 1120S, Schedule K-1 for 1120S)
  • Partnerships (Form 1065, Schedule K-1 for 1065)

Must be completed each academic year.

Uploading Your Forms to IDOC

Needed for first-year, transfer applicants, and returning students. Available for U.S. residents only.

We require all tax documents and supplemental financial aid forms to be uploaded to the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC) system. 

Confidentiality is Key

The confidentiality of your information is vitally important to us. Every effort is made to guarantee the integrity and privacy of data you submit. By using IDOC, your information will be stored in a secure environment and will be communicated only to the financial aid offices at IDOC-participating colleges and programs to which you’re applying. Do not fax or email your tax documents to F&M. Uploading your information to IDOC will help us process your financial aid application more quickly and efficiently. Any paper copies of your documents will be destroyed after the conclusion of the processing year. 

Need Help Uploading Your Documents?

If you need help understanding how to use IDOC, check out the Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC) Overview. You can also contact the College Board at 1-866-897-9881.

Types of Aid Available

Financial aid typically comes in three forms: grants and scholarships, loans, and work-study.
Read More »

Financial Aid Terms to Know

We understand that financial aid can be confusing. From “CSS Profile” and “FAFSA” to “Pell Grant” and “Work Study,” take a look at these terms you’ll be hearing throughout the financial aid process.

Read More »

All Set? We’ll Be In Touch!

Visit your F&M Application Portal to ensure your application to F&M is complete and ready for review. To receive a comprehensive and timely application review, you must submit all financial aid documents along with your application materials. Missing financial aid documents can delay the release of your decision and/or adversely affect the outcome of that decision. When in doubt, please email the F&M Office of Admission at admission@fandm.edu or call (877) 678-9111.

If you are admitted to F&M and qualify for need-based financial aid, you will receive an electronic aid package letter along with your admission letter. Your package will outline each type and amount of financial assistance F&M is offering. If you have any questions about your offer, please reach out!

Contact the Financial Aid Team

Do you have questions about financial aid at F&M? You have an assigned financial aid expert based on the first letter of your last name. If you need help, you can reach out to them!

Find Your Contact »