Current Students Applying for Financial Aid

How We Evaluate Your Application

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.

How You Apply for Aid

Complete the Required Forms listed on the Financial Aid Forms page. The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal student aid, and the CSS Profile and tax materials are used to determine eligibility for institutional aid.

You 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 a student is selected for federal verification);
• A non-filer's certification (if you did not file a tax return in the relevant year).

We receive the CSS Profile and FAFSA data electronically. You do not need to submit 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.

Application Deadlines

• Priority deadline: January 15. 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).  Financial aid offers will be released by April 1.
• Final deadline: 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).  Financial aid offers will be released by summer.
• The Controller's Office will issue fall semester electronic bills to students in early July with a due date of July 25. Bills will reflect all fall charges and all fall financial aid awarded. Loans will be reflected only if the loan application was submitted by July 1.

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.

Athletic Grant Renewal

The grant will be renewed automatically if you continue to participate in your sport as required by the Athletic Department. The Davidson College Athletics Financial Aid Agreement will be sent to you by June 30 as required by the NCAA.

Study Abroad and Away

To ensure the continuation of financial aid while studying off campus, submit your Off-Campus Financial Aid Agreement Form electronically by March 15 for fall-only and full-year programs and by November 15 for spring-only programs. To access the form and learn more about how your financial aid offer can be used for off-campus study, visit our Off-Campus Study FAQs.

If you have questions after reviewing the information found there, please contact our office at financialaidoffice@davidson.edu or at 704-894-2232.

Additional Information

Outside Scholarships & Resources from Non-Governmental Sources

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. Learn more about our treatment of scholarships and resources.

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. 

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. Learn more.