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.
FAFSA Simplification Act & Deadlines
Although the 2024-2025 FAFSA will likely not be available until early 2024, other financial aid application materials may be due earlier than that. Despite the delayed FAFSA, as long as you are admitted and meet all posted deadlines, you will receive the full amount of financial aid for which you are eligible.
The CSS Profile and required tax documents must be submitted by the deadline associated with a student's selected admission plan (EDI, EDII, Regular Decision or Transfer admission), as listed below. The deadline to submit the 2024-2025 FAFSA to Davidson is February 15 for all aid applicants.
For students admitted under an Early Decision plan, calculated need will initially be met with institutional funds alone. If we later determine that a student is eligible for federal or state aid, those funds will simply replace a portion of any grant aid that may already have been offered.
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 Feb. 15: 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 Feb. 15: 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 Feb. 15: 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 and Resources
Students must report all outside scholarships and resources to the Financial Aid Office. The combination of federal, state, and Davidson financial aid, as well as outside scholarships and resources, may not exceed the 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 each year the scholarship or resource is renewed up to a maximum of four years or eight semesters. In all cases, as soon as possible after they are notified of their outside award, students must complete and submit the Outside Resources Form, so award adjustments may be made as needed. The Outside Resources Form may 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.