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/Financial Aid PROFILE by or before the deadline.

Note: The FAFSA is available in early December from university or college financial aid offices, your high school guidance office and online at the FAFSA Web site. Submit your FAFSA to the federal processor by February 15 for freshman applicants and March 1 for transfer and current (continuing) AU students.

Financial Aid Deadlines

• Early Decision 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 the CSS/Financial Aid Profile (Profile), which can be completed on the College Board's Web site.

  The Profile should be submitted preferably by November 15. Early Decision Applicants should also fill out the FAFSA and submit it by February 15.

• Regular Decision Freshman Applicants
  All freshman applicants must submit the FAFSA and CSS/Financial Aid Profile by February 15.

• Transfer Applicants
  All transfer applicants must submit the CSS/Financial Aid Profile by March 1.

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

Please note: If you don't submit the FAFSA and 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 Award

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 awards are usually made for an academic year. After reviewing your award offer, you must decide whether to accept or decline all or part of your financial aid award. Your preliminary award 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 award letter or have accepted your award online through my.american.edu.

Financial Aid award notification typically occurs:

• with the offer of admission by January 1 for Early Decision freshmen and by April 1 for Regular Decision freshmen 

• after May 1 for transfer students 

• late June for continuing/current students