SCEA Financial Aid Requirements

[CHD2013]

Should students applying SCEA submit a FASFA to qualify for financial aid? Should he/she mail in copies of tax returns?

[gibby]

Follow the directions on Yale’s website: http://finaid.yale.edu/applying-aid/prospective-new-students

[CHD2013]

I read that and thought it was really unclear; that’s why I posted my questions here.

[gibby]

I think Yale’s website is very clear. And what Yale requires is also required for most US private colleges, so you need to understand what’s on Yale’s website, and other college’s websites, as each college has specific deadlines to follow.

If you miss Yale’s SCEA or RD deadline for financial aid, you will just not receive your financial aid package with your acceptance letter. THAT IS NOT TRUE FOR MOST COLLEGES. At most college’s if you miss the deadline, you miss out on receiving financial aid for the next year. So, if you don’t understand what is on Yale’s website or another colleges website, please find an adult to consult.

For US Domestic SCEA applicants to Yale who wish to receive an estimated financial aid package with their acceptance letter in mid-December of 2015, you need to do two things before November 1st.

1. Complete the FAFSA (https://fafsa.ed.gov) with estimated figures for you and your parents' income for 2015 and send to Yale. Yale’s FAFSA code is 001426
2. Send signed copies of you and your parents' tax returns for 2014 directly to Yale Student Financial Services at the address provided

Student Financial Services
Yale University
P.O. Box 208288
New Haven, CT
06520-8288

If you are accepted or deferred SCEA, or are applying in the RD round, you will have to do three things by March 1st:

1. Correct (or complete) the FAFSA with the actual figures from you and your parent's 2015 tax returns.
2. Complete the CSS Profile (https://student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aid-profile) with the actual 2015 figures from you and your parent's 2015 tax returns. Yale’s CSS Profile College Code is 3987.
3. Submit 2015 tax returns from you and your parents via IDOC system, which is part of the CSS Profile (https://idoc.collegeboard.org/idoc/)

[CHD2013]

Ok that’s more clear, thanks so much @gibby

[CHD2013]

I looked at the page you recommended again @gibby and realized there are embedded links for CSS, FASFA and tax returns. After following those links the entire situation is crystal clear. Thanks again.

[CCDD14]

You do not need to submit FAFSA to get estimated FA package for SCEA. You do FAFSA after January 1st if you are admitted or deferred. I find the format of this page confusing.

[tonymom]

Whoa! I thought I understood this process but am now confused. I took the Yale page to mean the CSS needed to be filled out prior to Nov1st for SCEA but that you have till later to fill out FAFSA…

[APScholar18]

If I understand correctly it doesn’t matter when you send all this in as long as it’s before the RD deadline.

[gibby]

The CSS Profile cannot be changed or updated on line. See: http://css-profile.com/css-profile-corrections/

Sometimes a student may find they must make corrections to their CSS PROFILE. Unfortunately, there is no way to make electronic changes to the CSS PROFILE. However, some institutions may accept corrections in another format.

Accepting corrections can vary depending on the institution to which the student has applied. They may require the student to print their application, make changes on paper, then mail, email, or fax the corrected version of the CCS PROFILE to the financial aid office. Some may require an in-person interview. Whatever the requirement may be, it is extremely vital for the student to carefully follow the instructions.

[baltimoreguy]

you are correct @tonymom

Post #3 is not quite accurate. If you are applying SCEA and want a preliminary financial aid determination with your (presumed) acceptance on Dec. 15, you need to do 2 things:

1. Fill out and submit the CSS Profile by Nov. 1.
2. Print and mail in 2014 Tax Returns to Student Financial Services.
3. You do not send the FAFSA, even if you are applying SCEA until after January 1.

From the Yale financial aid website:

Early Action applicants please note: Because it is not available before your recommended application deadline, the FAFSA is not used to calculate your initial financial aid estimate. Please fill out the FAFSA when it becomes available in January; it will be required to finalize your award in the spring.

[APScholar18]

@baltimoreguy

Isn’t it true though that even if you get accepted SCEA, but do not submit financial aid info until after December you will still get financial aid.

[tonymom]

@baltimoreguy FA office at Yale said they would request supporting documents when needed. But we also had FA pre-read so it might be different for regular SCEA applicants.

[baltimoreguy]

I’m no expert, just a SCEA applicant’s parent who has read the Financial Aid site very closely. @APScholar18 you’re right that your Financial Aid award at Yale isn’t contingent on forms being submitted early. You only need to do that if you want to receive an aid award estimate with your offer of early admission.

@tonymom As the parent of a recruited athlete, it seems you have a special circumstance. Since you’ve already received a FA pre-read, and a likely letter, I would just do whatever Yale tells you to do to complete the process. Congratulations! Is your son a heavyweight or lightweight?