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Tax returns (prior-prior), Transcripts, or W-2 Forms CSS Profile from Non-Custodial Parent Institutional forms or other documents

Need-Based Aid The primary goal is to help students pay for college and to make it accessible for those who couldn’t afford it otherwise.Financial aid offices use a process known as need analysis to estimate the amount that families will be expected to pay toward college costs, if any. Merit-Based Aid Some institutions offer academic/merit scholarships. Financial need is not typically considered when awarding these.The procedures for being considered vary by institution and may require a nomination, scholarship application, or simply the admission application.

Does financial need impact admission decisions? It depends! Need-blind – your admission counsellor is not aware of your family’s financial circumstances while reading your application and it does not impact your admission decision. Need-Aware or Need-Sensitive – a financial aid policy where an institution may consider finances in their admission decisions. It is important to know that just because an institution is need-aware does not mean they are unable to provide generous financial aid awards.  

Early Decision (ED) - a binding agreement between you and a college in which you agree that you will attend that college should they offer you admission. You can only apply to 1 college ED. If you're accepted, you have to withdraw all your other applications to other colleges. Early Action - a non-binding option where students receive an admission decision early but have until the normal reply date (typically May 1) to decide if they wish to attend that institution Restricted or Single-Choice Early Action - a non-binding option where a student may not apply Early Decision or Early Action anywhere else Regular Decision - the option to apply to several colleges and universities, wait to hear decisions on all, review their respective financial aid packages, and then make your decision by the reply date (typically May 1) Rolling Admission - where institutions have a large window to submit an application instead of a hard deadline and applications are evaluated as they are rec...

Fees will vary by institution Fee waivers Common App: you will be asked on the application if your financial circumstances qualify you for a fee waiver (for example you qualified for an SAT fee waiver). Your high school counselor will be asked to verify eligibility. Coalition App: students can determine their eligibility for a fee waiver by answering a brief series of questions. If you qualify, you will automatically bypass the payment screen when you submit your application. QuestBridge : There is no application fee for this application type. No matter what, if the cost of applying to an institution will be a hardship for you and your family, contact the institution directly and ask how you may be able to receive a fee waiver.  

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College Application Checklist Student: Common, Coalition, Institutional, or QuestBridge Application Student: Writing Supplement Student: Standardized Test Scores (ACT, SAT, AP, 1B, etc.) Teacher(s): Academic Teacher Recommendation(s) Counsellor: Secondary School Report / High School Counsellor Recommendation International Students: English Proficiency Testing (Examples: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo’s English Test) International Students: International Certification of Finances (College Board), CSS PROFILE, ISFAA, ISAFA ( Depends on college requirement)