Apply for Financial Aid

New student applicants (first-time freshmen and transfers) can apply for financial aid, upload required documents, and view processing status through their Panther Portal.

Financial Aid Deadlines

All students must submit required documents by the established deadline. Late applications are accepted; however, financial aid notification may be delayed, and award amounts will be subject to availability of funds. 

Document Type	Priority Deadline
CSS Profile	March 1
Tax Returns*	March 1

*First-year or transfer applicants must submit a copy of the most recent year’s tax returns by the deadline via secure upload to the Financial Aid section of their Panther Portal. If the deadline falls on a weekend, submissions are still considered on time if received by the following Monday.

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)

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
• Information for Divorced or Separated Parents

Returning students who wish to renew their financial aid or scholarships for the following academic year must do so by the published deadline to be eligible for priority aid consideration. Returning students may use BannerWeb to review their status.

Financial Aid Deadlines

All students must submit required forms by the established deadline. Late applications are accepted; however, financial aid notification may be delayed, and award amounts will be subject to availability of funds. 

Document Type	Deadline
Tax Returns*	April 30
Donor Thank You Letter	April 30
Financial Aid Renewal Form	April 30

*Returning students must submit a copy of the most recent year’s tax returns by the deadline via secure upload through their Financial Aid Portal via BannerWeb. 

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.

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.

Principia College provides support to qualified international students through its generous merit scholarship program. International students are eligible to be considered for all academic scholarships, which will be automatically awarded during admission. We do not use CSS Profile for international applicants.

Additional support may be available for students of Christian Science from across the globe. Separate application is required for award consideration. Further information is provided during the admissions process.

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.

Principia does not use or accept federal funding of any kind, including VA benefits. Since we do not accept VA benefits on behalf of our students, we are unable to certify a student’s enrollment in order to release these benefit funds. Instead, Principia offers financial aid packages using institutional grant and loan funding. In addition, Principia offers a privately funded Veteran’s Scholarship to those who have honorably served in any branch of the United States military and their children who are pursuing an undergraduate degree. For more information, please refer to our Scholarships page.

Additional Funding Resources (https://www.principiacollege.edu/admissions/financial-aid/additional-funding-resources) 

Principia College provides information about online scholarship searches as a service to our students. Principia does not endorse any of the individual sites listed. The student uses these scholarship search services at their own risk. However, as general advice in order to avoid scholarship scams, we recommend that you do not pay for scholarship search services.

Your Contribution

While Principia is committed to supporting all students through generous merit and need-based aid resources, financial aid does not cover 100 percent of college costs. It is expected that you will come to Principia with enough funds to cover whatever remains after financial aid has been applied.