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When is the financial aid deadline?

Financial Aid application deadlines vary depending on whether you are applying as an Early Decision or Regular Decision freshman or as a transfer student.

All applicants should submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile by or before the deadline.

The CSS Profile is available starting October 1.

For 2023, the FAFSA will not be available until mid to late December. 

Financial Aid Deadlines

  • Early Decision I Applicants
    If you are applying as an Early Decision student and also intend to apply for need-based financial aid, you will need to complete both the the FAFSA and the CSS Profile, which can be completed on the College Board's website. Early Decision I applicants must submit the CSS Profile by November 15. The FAFSA must be submitted by January 15. The FAFSA will not be available October 2023, and should be available mid to late December 2023.

  • Early Decision II Applicants
    Early Decision II applicants must submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile by January 15.

  • Regular Decision Freshman Applicants
    All freshman applicants must submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile by January 15.

  • Transfer Applicants
    All transfer applicants must submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile by May 1.

  • Current (Continuing) AU Students
    All continuing students must submit the FAFSA by May 1.

Please note: If you don't submit the FAFSA and the CSS Profile on or before the deadlines, it is unlikely your financial aid application will be considered for grants, although you may still be eligible for consideration for federal loans.

Notification of Any Estimated Financial Aid Offer

When you have been admitted and if your application for financial aid was submitted by the proper deadline, the university will notify you online on the Prospective Student Portal and by mail along with your offer of admission and admit packet. Financial aid offers are usually made for an academic year.

After reviewing your offer, you must decide whether to accept or decline all or part of your financial aid offer. Your preliminary offer becomes final when all supporting documentation has been received and reviewed by the Financial Aid office and you have returned a copy of your signed offer letter or have accepted your offer online through myau.american.edu.

Financial Aid offer notification typically occurs:

  • With the offer of admission by December 31 for Early Decision I freshmen, February 15 for Early Decision II freshman, and by April 1 for Regular Decision freshmen.

  • After May 1 for transfer students.

  • Late June for continuing/current students.