Early Decision Preferred Deadline:* November 15 (CSS Profile), January 2025 (FAFSA)
Regular Decision Preferred Deadline:* February 15

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required to apply for federal and institutional financial aid programs. The CSS Profile is required to apply for institutional financial aid programs. Carnegie Mellon requires students to complete both documents in order to be considered for financial aid from the university. Completing the FAFSA and CSS Profile as soon as possible after they open supports the timely delivery of financial aid offers and disbursement of aid, as it allows financial aid staff time to collect and process any supporting documentation that may be required. 

*Meeting the preferred deadline supports the timely delivery of financial aid offers. Students can still apply for financial aid after the preferred deadline. 

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Timeline: Upon request
Preferred Deadline: As soon as possible after requested

Signed parent and student tax documents, W-2s or other supporting documents and tax schedules may be requested under various circumstances. Non-U.S. tax filers must also submit foreign tax returns and wage statements, along with a translation. Students may log in to their My Student Aid portal to view a list of requested financial aid documents. They may also receive an email from the Office of Admission requesting specific documents.

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Timeline: With admission decision or soon after

If you are admitted and your financial aid application is complete, including the submission of all required documents, your financial aid offer will be determined. You'll receive an email notification that your financial aid offer is available to review in My Student Aid after viewing your admission decision in your Where Am I in the Process? portal. If your family's circumstances change, then your eligibility will be re-evaluated and you will receive notification that a revised offer is available.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR OFFER

Timeline: After offer is received and student enrolls at CMU
Deadline: Loan funds will not be distributed to your student account until these are completed

All first-time Federal Direct Loan borrowers who enroll at Carnegie Mellon are required to sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and complete an online entrance counseling session. The session provides information about borrower rights and responsibilities. CMU is notified when a student has completed entrance counseling.

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Timeline: Following completion of MPN & Entrance Counseling

Enrolled students who are offered and/or receive Title IV funds (federal grants or federal loans) should complete Title IV Authorizations in Student Information Online (SIO)* by selecting 'Financial Aid Permissions' under the 'Finances' tab. When the amount of Title IV funds is greater than the cost of tuition, fees, housing and dining charges, the credit balance is refunded to the borrower. By completing their authorizations, students designate whether excess funds are held as payment for future semester charges or applied to non-institutional charges. Otherwise, excess Title IV funds are refunded directly to the borrower and any student account balance remaining will be due from the student. 

*Newly admitted students who decide to enroll at CMU will be able to access SIO in mid-May. 

Complete Title IV Authorizations

Timeline: After enrolling, financial aid funds are applied to your student account according to your semester of study or loan period

Grant and scholarship funds disburse as early as June 25 for the fall semester, November 25 for the spring semester and March 25 for summer sessions.

Loan funds disburse as early as 10 days before the first day of class for the loan period. View loan disbursement dates. Keep in mind that the amount of federal loans credited to the student account will be less than the total amount borrowed due to origination fees. 

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