Apply for Financial Aid

College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile & Application Paperwork 

Those seeking to apply for financial aid must complete the College Scholarship Service (CSS) profile online. CSS offers an impartial, confidential evaluation based on information you provide on the profile form, to determine a student's need for assistance. 

For families with separate households, the custodial parent is responsible for completing the CSS profile. The noncustodial parent is responsible for completing the Noncustodial profile.

Once you’ve completed the CSS profile, you’ll need to provide the following documents to our Financial Aid Office:

• Parent and student federal IRS income tax returns (Form 1040 and all schedules) or translated annual tax forms from international filers

• Federal Tax Returns for a corporation or partnership (1065, 1120S, 1120) and K-1 statements

• Form W-2 statements or wage statements from an employer if outside the U.S.

• Donor thank you letter (renewal applicants only)

Please email these documents to our Financial Aid office. If you are unable to scan your documents, you may fax them to our office at 618.374.5929.

Once your financial aid application is complete and all your documents have been received, the Financial Aid Committee will review your eligibility for aid based on demonstrated financial need.  New students will receive their official financial aid award package following formal admission to Principia College. 

Note: Principia does not use the FAFSA.

CSS Profile Help

• Getting Started with your CSS Profile
• CSS Profile for International Applicants
• Information for Divorced or Separated Parents

Each returning student filing for financial aid must access Principia’s BannerWeb to complete the Principia Application for Financial Aid. The application provides each student the opportunity to make his/her financial aid request and to sign our office’s financial aid agreement. Students can also track their application checklist and view their financial aid and scholarship award.

Deadline: April 30  

You’ll need to provide the following documents to our Financial Aid Office:

• Parent and student federal IRS income tax returns (Form 1040 and all schedules) or translated annual tax forms from international filers

• Federal Tax Returns for a corporation or partnership (1065, 1120S, 1120) and K-1 statements

• Form W-2 statements or wage statements from an employer if outside the U.S.

• Donor thank you letter—please submit your thank-you note through our BannerWeb online form.

Please email the tax documents to our Financial Aid office. If you are unable to scan your documents, you may fax them to our office at 618.374.5929.

Note: Students are only required to submit the College Board CSS profile the first time they apply for need-based financial aid (instead of submitting it each year). For students who have withdrawn their enrollment for more than one year, we require a new profile submission.

Principia partners with ECSI (Educational Computer Systems, Inc.) to provide an electronic loan process. Students (new and continuing) can access and electronically sign loan documents anytime and do not have to track paper notes. Additionally, students can complete the TILA (Truth in Lending Act) Disclosures all in one step.

Click here to E-Sign your loan promissory note

After you have e-signed your documents, you can print them for your records or access them anytime. During this process, you are also given the opportunity to opt out and/or print your notes.