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Current Undergraduates

It’s important to meet the deadlines listed below and to respond promptly to all additional requests for information. You are not guaranteed full consideration for University grant assistance and may have your institutional grant assistance reduced due to limited funding if your application is late.

Contact your financial aid counselor if you have concerns about your ability to complete your application by the deadline.

Application details

  • Application instructions will be emailed to you during the fall semester—make sure your parents/family members are aware of these requirements.
  • Check FAOnline and the “required documents” screen for the most up-to-date version of your requirements.  All required documents are listed as “not received.”
  • We may request additional items once we begin reviewing your application.  Any subsequent requests will be sent to your University email address.
  • You’ll receive multiple emails that remind you of your requirements in the weeks leading up to the application deadline.

CSS Profile

The CSS Profile is used to determine your eligibility for need-based University of Rochester grant funding. In situations where a student’s parents are divorced, separated or were never married, the CSS Profile is required to be completed by both biological parents. Keep in mind that both parents use the same College Board website, but do not have access to each other’s CSS Profile.

Resources to help you complete the profile can be found on the College Board website at cssprofile.org. Included on the site is the CSS profile student guide, CSS profile overview and the CSS profile tutorial.

Be aware that there is a cost for filing the CSS Profile, but the College Board is able to waive the application fee for those families that qualify. During the application process, the College Board will determine if you are eligible for the fee waiver based on the information you provide on the Profile.

The Profile became available on October 1, 2023 for the 2024–25 academic year.

Our school code: 2928

CSS Profile

FAFSA

The FAFSA is used to help determine your eligibility for all federal aid programs. The FAFSA became available in December 2023 for the 2024–25 academic year.

Our school code: 002894

FAFSA

Institutional Documentation Services (IDOC)

In addition to the FAFSA and the CSS profile, some students may be required to provide additional documentation to the College Board’s IDOC Service, including institutional forms and relevant tax information. If you are required to send your application to IDOC, you will be emailed by the College Board. Once they have processed your materials, our office will have access to them. If there is anything still required as part of your application for financial aid outside of the IDOC materials, we’ll reach out to you via email. Remember you can always track the status of your documents by logging into your FAOnline account.

To ensure that you receive IDOC correspondence, please add collegeboard.org, collegeboard.com, and student-1.com domains to the safe senders list on your email system.

If you have questions regarding the IDOC process, visit the IDOC’s Frequently Asked Questions section on the College Board. You can also check out their IDOC Tutorial or call them at 1 (866) 897-9881. If you have further questions about the IDOC process at Rochester, feel free to contact your financial aid counselor.

IDOC

Application deadlines

The deadline to re-apply for need-based financial aid for the 2024-2025 academic year is March 15, 2024. Check FAOnline to see which of the following documents you are required to submit.

*Due to the delay in delivery of 2024-2025 FAFSAs, the deadline for submitting the FAFSA has been extended to April 15, 2024. All other application requirements, including but not limited to the CSS Profile and IDOC materials, are still due by March 15 for full consideration of need-based aid eligibility.

**IDOC collects additional documentation for the College Board, including institutional forms and relevant tax information. You will be notified by the College Board via email if you are required to submit documents to IDOC.

Going abroad

How aid works while abroad

UR-Sponsored Programs

If you are a financial aid recipient, you will be eligible to receive financial aid during your semester abroad. If your total program cost is less than the cost of studying at Rochester for that semester, your need-based aid will be reduced proportionately. Merit awards will not be reduced. Please see your financial aid counselor to discuss your specific situation, including which awards are need-based.

Since each student’s financial situation is unique, you will need to meet with a financial aid counselor while planning your semester(s) abroad.

Non-UR Sponsored Programs

If you choose to study abroad through a non-UR sponsored program, you will not be eligible to receive the same financial aid. Most importantly, you will not be eligible for any University of Rochester assistance. It is important to discuss your plans with your financial aid counselor to determine what types of aid you will be eligible for while abroad and to ensure the continuation of your aid when you return. Some study abroad programs have their own financial aid available; applications are available from the sponsors.

Since each student’s financial situation is unique, you will need to meet with a financial aid counselor while planning your semester(s) abroad.

Application requirements

UR-Sponsored Programs

Students going abroad and utilizing their financial aid should be sure to apply by our application deadline of March 15. Undergraduate students applying for federal financial aid must complete a Free Application for Federal Students (FAFSA) online. Select students will also need to provide additional documentation, including the CSS profile and institutional forms as well as relevant tax information. Students can confirm and track their financial aid application requirements by logging into their account in FAOnline.

Returning students who do not submit their financial aid application with all supporting documentation by the March 15 deadline are not guaranteed full consideration for need-based assistance and may have their aid reduced due to limited funding.

Non-UR Sponsored Programs

Federal Direct Loans and Federal Pell Grants may be used while on a non-UR sponsored program, provided that you have completed a consortium/contractual agreement and the Financial Aid Office has verified the program sponsor’s eligibility. TAP awards for New York State residents can be used if the non-UR program is sponsored by a New York college or university.

In order to be eligible for these funds (as well as for a Parent PLUS or alternative loan(s)) for the semester you are abroad, you must complete a consortium/contractual agreement. This can be obtained from your financial aid counselor or on our website. This agreement involves multiple steps and requires several signatures, so do not delay in completing this requirement. Your coursework must be approved before the consortium agreement can be signed. Meet with an education abroad counselor to obtain a signature on behalf of the dean.

Outside scholarships

The strength of the candidates who apply to the University often makes our applicants excellent candidates for outside scholarships. There are many scholarships designed specifically for study abroad. We strongly encourage you to consider applying as Rochester students have won these scholarships in the past. Both merit and need-based scholarships are available, so even if you can easily afford to pay for your term abroad, you should still consider applying.

The amount of the outside scholarships received will reduce the work-study and loan awards before reducing university need-based grants. The combination of outside awards and Rochester-packaged awards may not exceed a student’s institutional need or cost of attendance.

The Center for Education Abroad maintains information on their website regarding outside scholarship opportunities for studying abroad. Be sure to check it out!

Program costs and fees

UR Programs

Students attending UR programs will be charged Rochester tuition and room costs for their semester abroad. These charges will appear on your Rochester term bill. If you participate in a semester exchange program, you will be billed by UR for tuition; your host institution will bill you directly for housing.

The bill will not reflect the registration for your specific education abroad program, but will show any anticipated or expected financial aid. The standard Rochester housing charge covers the basic housing level that the program offers, generally with one or two roommates. Some programs offer optional premium housing, but students who choose to take advantage of it are responsible for any additional costs.

Additional information on billing can be found on the Center for Education Abroad website.

Non-UR Summer Programs

Students occasionally study through non-UR programs offered by other institutions. After working with the Center for Education Abroad to confirm that credits will be accepted toward their degree, we recommend students schedule an appointment to discuss funding options.

A consortium/contractual agreement is required when a student participates in a program or attends courses at another institution, but will remain a matriculated student at Rochester, receiving financial assistance. University scholarship/grant assistance cannot be used for courses at another institution, but students may have eligibility to receive federal or private loans to help with their costs.

If you are on a non-UR program and have completed a consortium/contractual agreement, the Bursar’s Office will need to verify your registration before financial aid can be credited to your account and a refund check issued. Your registration cannot be verified until your program start date; you should therefore plan to cover a minimum of one month’s expenses before the refund will be available.

Summer (and other short-term) study abroad programs

Students do have the option of studying abroad during the summer, fall break, winter break and spring break. Offices like the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures and the Center for Education Abroad have information available on the various programs that are offered for summer study.

In addition to the federal loans and private loans that students may use to help pay for these programs, some departments also have funding available to help cover costs. It’s a good idea to touch base with the department offering the program to find out what is involved in applying for these grants and scholarships.

Non-UR Summer Programs

Students occasionally study through non-UR programs offered by other institutions. After working with the Center for Education Abroad to confirm that credits will be accepted toward their degree, we recommend students schedule an appointment to discuss funding options.

A consortium/contractual agreement is required when a student participates in a program or attends courses at another institution, but will remain a matriculated student at Rochester, receiving financial assistance. University scholarship/grant assistance cannot be used for courses at another institution, but students may have eligibility to receive federal or private loans to help with their costs.

If you are on a non-UR program and have completed a consortium/contractual agreement, the Bursar’s Office will need to verify your registration before financial aid can be credited to your account and a refund check issued. Your registration cannot be verified until your program start date; you should therefore plan to cover a minimum of one month’s expenses before the refund will be available.

More information on summer financial aid can be found on our website, under Summer Session.

To be eligible to use a federal student or parent loan for a non-UR program, you must:

  • Be enrolled for at least six credit hours over the course of the summer.
  • Have completed all application requirements to be considered for federal aid.
  • Be enrolled in a degree-seeking program (credits must transfer toward Rochester degree).
  • Complete a consortium/contractual agreement between the host institution and Rochester (this includes summer programs abroad).

Students should email their financial aid counselor to discuss their funding options and to receive the consortium/contractual agreement document. Institutions must be eligible to receive Title IV funding in order to enter into a consortium/contractual agreement with Rochester.

Summer aid for undergraduates

Types of aid available

Grants

Federal Pell Grant – If you were eligible for a Pell Grant during the academic year and will be registered for at least six credit hours during the summer, you may have eligibility for the federal Pell Grant for summer courses.

New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) – Students who are New York State residents, enrolled for at least six credit hours during the summer at the University of Rochester, have accrued 24 credit hours in the previous two consecutive semesters at Rochester and meet New York State income guidelines may be eligible for TAP funding. Keep in mind that using a TAP award during the summer will affect eligibility in future semesters.

University of Rochester merit scholarships and need-based grants awarded during the academic year are not available to assist with summer coursework. University aid given for summer coursework is made available to select students through the Dean’s Office or by individual departments.

Loans

Student Federal Direct Loans – If you have not used your full federal loan eligibility during the academic year, you may be eligible for any remaining loan eligibility for the summer. For example, juniors are eligible to receive a maximum of $7,500 between their subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans during the academic year. If they only use $5,500 during the academic year, they will still have $2,000 in federal loan eligibility that could be used during the summer semester. You must be enrolled for at least six credits hours over the course of the summer and have completed all application requirements to be considered for financial aid, including federal direct loan entrance counseling and a loan agreement (master promissory note). These requirements can be completed online.

Parent Federal Direct Loans – Parents can apply for a Federal Direct Parent Loan (PLUS) for the summer if you will be enrolled for at least six credit hours. The PLUS application and loan agreement (master promissory note) can be completed online. Credit checks done for PLUS loans are good for 180 days; once the 180 days have passed, a new application will need to be submitted.

Private Student Loans – Students who are taking less than six credit hours need to check with the lender of their choice before applying for a private loan in order to determine their eligibility. ELMSelect is a tool that allows students to see which loans are most often used by University of Rochester students. The website allows you to do a side by side comparison of lenders and associated loans. Once you’ve applied for a private loan, notification of approval or denial will be sent to you by your lender. It’s imperative that you complete and return all necessary documents sent to you by your lender in a timely fashion.

Eligibility

A student’s eligibility for summer financial aid is driven by their enrollment during the summer. To be eligible to receive federal aid, you must:

  • Be enrolled for at least six credit hours during the summer. Keep in mind that all summer courses MUST be applicable to your current degree programs.
  • Be enrolled in a degree-seeking program; newly admitted students who are scheduled to begin classes in the fall are not eligible to apply for summer aid.
  • Have completed all application requirements to be considered for federal aid.

How to apply

All undergraduate students who need to apply for aid for the summer session must submit a Summer Aid Application through FAOnline. Once you’re logged in, go to the menu and choose “Application” then the “Summer Aid Application”. This application becomes available on February 13 each academic year.

If you will be applying for a federal direct loan, be sure to complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA, if you have not already done so. A FAFSA is not required for students only utilizing a private loan to help pay for summer costs.

If you will be taking courses at another institution over the summer and would like to use financial aid to help pay for the courses, you’ll need to submit a consortium/contractual agreement in addition to the Summer Aid Application and any lender applications. In order to pursue this option, the course(s) must transfer back into your degree program at the University. Be prepared to pay your tuition/fees upfront and be reimbursed by your aid later, since not all schools participate in this process, especially during summer. Be sure to check with the other school’s policies when registering for the courses. The University of Rochester will not disburse any of your financial aid for summer courses taken through a consortium/contractual agreement until the course has started and we are able to confirm your enrollment.

Deadlines

The Summer Aid Application becomes available in FAOnline on February 13. Applications are usually reviewed by the end of February and award notifications are sent to students via email.

Applications for the federal Parent PLUS loan and private student loans should not be submitted earlier than 180 days before the start of classes. Processing time for federal student loans and the Parent PLUS loan is normally two weeks, depending on when the application is submitted and when all loan requirements have been completed.

Keep in mind that applications with private loan lenders can take up to three to four weeks’ processing time before the loan funding is actually sent to the University.

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