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 2025 applicants should submit the 2025-2026 FAFSA
- Apply using FAFSA website
- Goucher's FAFSA school code 002073
2. Normally, prospective students may review their financial aid status on the Admissions and Financial Aid Status Portal. 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 2025
| Application Options | Admissions Application + Supporting Materials | FAFSA |
|---|---|---|
| Early Action (Non-Binding) | November 15, 2024 | *December 15, 2024 |
| Regular Decision | We are still accepting Applications | *ASAP |
| Transfer | May 1, 2025 | May 1, 2025 |
* Students are encouraged to submit their FAFSA as soon as possible. As of September of 2024, the 2025-2026 FAFSA is expected to become available in December 2024. However, it may be possible there will be delays due 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 the indicated date, please know that Goucher will still process all FAFSAs received. In most cases, submitting after the deadline indicated 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?
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. Undocumented Maryland residents may have state resources available. Please use Maryland's MDCAPS system and refer to the MHEC web page for additional information.
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.