How to Apply for Financial Aid

  • Financial Aid
  • Prospective Students
  • How to Apply for Financial Aid

A St. Olaf education is a substantial investment with a life-long return. We know the financial aid process can feel overwhelming. We’re here to help.

Financial Aid – What You Need to Know

Financial Aid - What You Need to Know
Play Video Financial Aid – What You Need to Know

Need-Based Financial Aid – What You Need to Know

Need-Based Financial Aid - What You Need to Know
Play Video Need-Based Financial Aid – What You Need to Know

The financial aid application process runs concurrent to the admission process.  For full consideration for all sources of aid please adhere to the deadlines listed below. For many, financial aid plays an important role in choosing a college and our goal is to provide you with accurate and timely information to help you make your decision.

For international students applying to St. Olaf, please click here for the financial aid process for international students.

Haga clic aquí para obtener información sobre cómo solicitar ayuda financiera en español

Net Price Calculators

Net Price Calculator

 A free tool designed to give families an estimated dollar amount of their eligibility for need-based financial aid at St. Olaf College. It can be completed in 10-15 minutes.

MyIntuition ESTIMator
This free tool can help you anticipate your college costs and estimate your eligibility for need-based aid at St. Olaf. It does not give an exact amount of financial aid but will present an estimated range for financial aid eligibility. It can be completed in fewer than five minutes.
Below is a step by step guide for applying for financial aid.
STEP 1: COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

  • Students who wish to apply only for merit scholarships (and don’t want to apply for need-based aid) do not need to complete any of the other parts of the financial aid process.
  • All students are considered for Academic and Service scholarships during the admission review process. Academic and Service scholarship decisions are made by the Admissions Office.
  • Students applying for Fine Arts Scholarships must submit separate applications. Please click here for more information about applying for merit scholarships at St. Olaf.

Apply Now
STEP 2: CSS Profile
  • St. Olaf is one of over 300 schools nationally to require the CSS Profile in determining institutional aid. The CSS Profile is a more in-depth and nuanced financial aid application than the FAFSA.
  • All students interested in need-based St. Olaf aid are required to complete the CSS Profile.
  • There is a fee required to complete the CSS Profile. There is an automatic fee waiver that applies to all students with family income below $100,000.
  • St. Olaf’s CSS Profile Code: 6638.
  • The CSS Profile for the 2025-26 Academic Year can be completed any time after October 1, 2024.  Please note that you are completing the CSS Profile with final tax information for 2023, so please have that information readily available when completing the CSS Profile.
  •  
  • If your parents are separated or divorced or were never married, St. Olaf will consider both biological parents’ financial information when determining eligibility for institutional need-based grants.
  • For help on creating a CSS Profile Account for Parent Use, please visit this page.
CSS PROFILE
 STEP 3: FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)
  • The FAFSA is required to determine your eligibility for all federal and state based financial aid, such as the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Direct Loans or Minnesota State Grant.
  • There is no fee associated with filing the FAFSA.
  • The FAFSA is now available but we understand that there are significant chunks of time where the form cannot be accessed. We will continue to work with families during this time of uncertainty and change.
  • Students who wish to apply for federal/state aid only (and do not wish to be considered for St. Olaf need-based grants) do not need to complete the CSS Profile.
  • St. Olaf’s FAFSA Code: 002382.
  • How to get a FSA ID if you do not have a Social Security Number
  • If your parents are separated or divorced or were never married, only the  parent that supports the student more financially should complete the FAFSA.  If that parent has remarried, then your step-parent’s financial information should also be reported on the FAFSA.
 FAFSA
STEP 4: SUBMIT TAX AND OTHER DOCUMENTS
  • Students who are receiving need-based financial aid may be asked to turn in additional documents to the Financial Aid Office.
  • The most commonly requested additional forms are the 2023 Parental 1099 or W2 forms.
  • Families are also requested to either utilize the IRS FUTURE Act Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX) within the FAFSA or submit their 2023 1040 Tax Returns with.
  • Please submit all tax documents to St. Olaf via Egnyte or through the CSS Profile IDOC. Either option is fine.
EGNYTE

For answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions regarding financial aid, go to our FAQ’s page.

Financial Aid Dates and Deadlines for Students Applying for Fall 2025 Enrollment

Financial Aid Deadline Early Decision 1 Early Action Early Decision 2 Regular Decision
Complete and Submit the CSS Profile November 1 November 1 January 15 January 15
Complete and Submit the FAFSA December 15 December 15 January 15 January 15
Financial Aid Award Notification December 10 January 7 February 8 April 1