Prospective Students

We are committed to making a Davidson education affordable. Financial aid offers typically include a combination of grants, scholarships, and student employment. Students must apply for aid 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 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 in graduate school or who 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 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).
Business/Farm Supplement (if parents own a business and/or a farm).
Corporate/partnership tax return (if parents file this type of return).

We receive CSS Profile and FAFSA data electronically. You do not need to submit paper copies of these forms to this 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 are 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 and FAFSA as well as submit signed copies of the federal income tax returns (include all forms, schedules and W-2 forms) to the College Board's IDOC Service.

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

Early Decision Plan II

By Jan. 8: Submit the CSS Profile and FAFSA as well as submit signed copies of the federal income tax returns (include all forms, schedules and W-2 forms) to the College Board's IDOC Service.

By late January - Mid-February: Financial Aid offers are released to financial aid applicants who are admitted under the Early Decision II Plan and have completed all application requirements.

Deadlines for Regular Decision Students

By Jan. 11: Submit the CSS Profile and FAFSA as well as submit signed copies of the federal income tax returns (include all forms, schedules and W-2 forms) to the College Board's IDOC Service.

March and April: Financial Aid offers are released to financial aid applicants who are admitted under the Regular Decision Plan and have completed all 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 as well as submit signed copies of the Federal Income Tax Returns (include all Forms, Schedules and W-2 Forms) to the College Board's IDOC Service.

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 as well as submit signed copies of the Federal Income Tax Returns (include all Forms, Schedules and W-2 Forms) to the College Board's IDOC Service.

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

Late Applications

Families 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 Office of Financial Aid. The combination of Federal, state, Davidson financial aid and 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 coverage in Davidson, North Carolina with your current insurance provider. 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 8 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 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 the section labeled "Failure to Meet the Minimum Standards of Academic Progress" in the current version of Davidson's Academic Regulations.