Financial Aid Information for Prospective Students
In order to apply for financial aid, please complete and submit the following:
1. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Fall 2024 applicants should submit the 2024-2025 FAFSA.
- Please allow for additional time on your FAFSA due to The FAFSA Simplification Act.
- Apply using FAFSA website: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
- Goucher's FAFSA school code 002073
2. Normally, prospective students may review their financial aid status on the Admissions and Financial Aid Status Portal: https://apply.goucher.edu/account. PLEASE NOTE: Due to FAFSA Simplification, Goucher began receiving FAFSAs in mid-March. However, FAFSAs are being processed and sent out in smaller batches at this time. If you have any questions about the items on your financial aid checklist, please let us know.
3. Once you have declared your intent to enroll and have been issued a Goucher ID number, you will transition to using the Net Partner system for any financial aid tasks or information.
Priority Submission Dates
Fall 2024 Applicants
|
Application Options |
Admissions |
|
| Early Action (Non-Binding) |
November 15, 2023 | *March 1, 2024 |
| Regular Decision | January 15, 2024 | *March 1, 2024 |
| Transfer | May 1, 2024 | May 1, 2024 |
* Students are encouraged to submit their FAFSA by the March 1 priority submission date. We understand that some families are having technical difficulties completing the FAFSA connected to the U.S. Department of Education's need to implement The FAFSA Simplification Act. If you are impacted by FAFSA submission issues and are unable to submit by March 1, please know that Goucher will still process all FAFSAs received. In most cases, submitting after March 1 will not exclude a student from eligibility for most financial aid programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is need-based financial aid offered at Goucher College?
Financial aid is offered on the basis of demonstrated need. A student's demonstrated need is determined by subtracting the family resources available for education (as defined by the Student Aid Index) from the cost of attendance for each year.
When will I receive my financial aid offer letter?
2024-2025 applicants, please note that the federal timeline connected to The FAFSA Simplification Act means new/prospective students for Fall 2024 will not begin to receive financial aid offers until the first week of April 2024. Provided that Goucher has received a valid FAFSA, financial aid offer letters will normally be sent to students approximately 2 weeks after they receive their official acceptance letter from Admissions.
What is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
The FAFSA is an online application that collects information to determine eligibility for federal, Maryland state, and need-based institutional aid. If you are not a Maryland resident, then please check with your individual state regarding their application process.
Do I have to complete FAFSA in order to be considered for a merit scholarship?
The FAFSA is not required if a student only wishes to be considered for a merit scholarship. All students admitted to Goucher, who submitted a high school transcript, are automatically considered for a merit scholarship. The admissions committee determines merit scholarship recipients. Federal guidelines state that merit scholarships are considered as a source of financial aid and are therefore listed on the financial aid notification.
Can transfer students apply for financial aid?
Yes, transfer students can complete the FAFSA to be considered for financial aid.
Can international students apply for financial aid?
Yes, international students can be considered for institutional aid by Admissions during their application process. Please see the admissions web page for international students for additional information.
Can undocumented (non U.S. Citizens or eligible non-citizens) students apply for financial aid?
Undocumented students will be considered for merit scholarships only by completing the admissions process. Undocumented students are not eligible for federal or state aid. Undocumented students can research and apply for private outside scholarships.
What if I have extenuating circumstances?
If your family has special financial circumstances that were not taken into account on your FAFSA, you may qualify to have your financial need recalculated. For information on which types of circumstances qualify for recalculation, view the Professional Judgment Request Form on the financial aid forms section of the Goucher website.
What is the average freshman financial aid offer?
The college seeks to enroll a talented and diverse student body and to make a Goucher education possible for as many qualified students as possible. To this end, Goucher offers a comprehensive program of need-based and merit-based financial assistance. The average 2021-2022 freshman scholarships and grants (that’s money that doesn’t need to be repaid) was $35,187. The average 2021-2022 freshman financial aid offer, including scholarships, grants, student loans, and work-study, was $38,174.
If you have any questions not addressed here, then please let us know.
Recognizing that no two families and their circumstances are alike, we will work with you and your family to identify and choose financing options that are appropriate for your specific needs.