Prospective Students

We are committed to making a Davidson education affordable. Financial aid offers typically include a combination of grants, scholarships, and student employment. All students who wish to be considered for need-based financial aid must reapply each year.

Financial Aid Applications

Evaluating Applications

We evaluate each need-based financial aid application according to these guiding principles:

• You and your family have the primary responsibility for college costs, to the extent of your ability.
• Your ability to contribute may be determined through assessment of your CSS Profile and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Financial need is the estimated annual cost of attending Davidson minus your family's estimated annual contribution.
• In determining the "number in college" for awarding Davidson's grant funds, only siblings who are seeking their first undergraduate degree will be considered. Siblings who are in graduate school or are pursuing an additional undergraduate degree will not be counted as a family member in college.

Application Process

Complete the Required Forms listed on the Financial Aid Forms page.

You or a parent may also be requested to submit:

• CSS Profile from the noncustodial parent (if biological or adoptive parents are not living together and are unmarried, divorced, or separated).
• Schedule K-1 (if a parent is involved with a business partnership or S corporation);
• Verification Worksheet (if an admitted student enrolls and is selected for federal verification);
• A non-filer's certification (if you did not file a tax return in the relevant year).

We receive CSS Profile and FAFSA data electronically. You do not need to submit paper copies of these forms to our office.

Additionally, when you file your CSS Profile you will receive an email from the College Board explaining how to submit your tax returns and other forms through the College Board's IDOC service.

Financial Aid Forms

A complete list of forms and worksheets is available on the Financial Aid Forms page.

Transfer Students

Need-based financial aid is available for transfer students. Students who intend to apply must submit aid application materials in conjunction with their admission application. Davidson's non-need-based scholarships are not offered.

Deadlines for Early Decision Students

Early Decision Plan I

By Nov. 15: Submit the CSS Profile.  Also submit to the College Board's IDOC Service signed copies of student and parent federal income tax returns (including all forms, schedules, and W-2s) .

By December 16: Initial financial aid offers are released to financial aid applicants who are admitted under the Early Decision I Plan and have completed all the November application requirements.

By March 20 (revised deadline): Submit the FAFSA.

By late June: Updated financial aid offers are released to all enrolled students who submitted on-time applications and are eligible for financial aid.  The updated offer takes into account information from both the CSS Profile and FAFSA, as well as any outside scholarships of which we become aware by that time.

Early Decision Plan II

By Jan. 5: Submit the CSS Profile.  Also submit to the College Board's IDOC Service signed copies of student and parent federal income tax returns (including all forms, schedules, and W-2s).

By January 31: Initial financial aid offers are released to financial aid applicants who are admitted under the Early Decision II Plan and have completed all the January application requirements.

By March 20 (revised deadline): Submit the FAFSA.

By late June: Updated financial aid offers are released to all enrolled students who submitted on-time applications and are eligible for financial aid.  The updated offer takes into account information from both the CSS Profile and FAFSA, as well as any outside scholarships of which we become aware by that time.

Deadlines for Regular Decision Students

By Jan. 10: Submit the CSS Profile.  Also submit to the College Board's IDOC Service signed copies of student and federal income tax returns (including all forms, schedules, and W-2s).

By March 20 (revised deadline): Submit the FAFSA.

April 1: Initial financial aid offers are released to financial aid applicants who are admitted under the Regular Decision Plan and have completed all January and February application requirements.

May 1: National Candidates Reply Date. Send your deposit to the college of your choice!

Deadlines for Transfer Students

Spring Transfer

By November 1: Submit the CSS Profile and FAFSA.  Also submit to the College Board's IDOC Service signed copies of student and parent federal income tax returns (including all forms, schedules, and W-2s).

By Late November: Financial aid offers are released to financial aid applicants who are admitted as spring transfers and have completed all application requirements.

Fall Transfer

By April 1: Submit the CSS Profile and FAFSA.  Also submit to the College Board's IDOC Service signed copies of student and parent federal income tax returns (including all forms, schedules, and W-2s).

By Early June: Financial aid offers are released to financial aid applicants who are admitted as fall transfers and have completed all application requirements.

Late Applications

Students who file aid application materials after the published deadlines are subject to a reduction in the college grant portion of the award. This grant reduction will be filled with a student loan offer of $3,500.

Outside Scholarships & Resources from Non-Governmental Sources

Many local, regional, and national organizations sponsor scholarship programs for college students. Students must report all outside scholarships and resources to the Office of Financial Aid. Typically, the combination of Federal, state, and Davidson financial aid, together with any outside scholarships and resources, will not be allowed to exceed a student's total Cost of Attendance. Outside funds first reduce the Student Employment award, then the Expected Family Contribution; then, if all outside resources together exceed $5,000 for the year, or if Student Employment and Expected Family Contribution have both been fully replaced, aid awarded from Davidson will be reduced as well. This treatment will be applied in any year in which the scholarship or resource is renewed and the student is receiving financial aid from Davidson. In all cases, as soon as possible after they are notified of their outside award, students must complete and submit Davidson's Outside Resource Notification Form, so award adjustments may be made as needed. The Outside Resource Notification Form can be found on our Financial Aid Forms page.

Health Insurance

Davidson requires all students to have personal health insurance. Students already covered by another health insurance plan may be exempted from Davidson’s plan by submitting an online waiver verifying coverage. Not all health insurance plans are transferable; you must confirm with your current insurance provider that you would be covered in Davidson, North Carolina. Students not covered by a family health insurance plan will be enrolled in Davidson's Insurance Plan.

Work-Study

The Work-Study award represents approximately 10 hours of work per week. Students remaining in their jobs from year to year see an increase in their hourly pay rate. The amount of the Work-Study award will not be deducted from your bill but instead will be paid bi-weekly as work is performed throughout the semester. 

Not all students will qualify for Work-Study, but there are opportunities for students to work, if they choose to do so, through the Student Employment Office. Learn more about the Work-Study program.

Academic Progress

Students receiving federal, state, and institutional funding in their financial aid awards must be enrolled on a full-time basis and must attain minimum grade-point and course completion requirements. For more information, please see our web page on Satisfactory Academic Progress.