Cost & Aid

Apply for Financial Aid

The instructions below are for prospective applicants. If you are an enrolled student, please visit the financial aid website for current students.

Financial aid forms and deadlines

 Early Action

Regular Decision

 Transfer Program
Princeton Financial Aid Application (PFAA) November 9 February 1 March 9
Parents' 2020 federal income tax return and W-2
statements (or the equivalent for non-filers)		 November 9 February 1 March 9
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) November 9 February 1 March 9

Noncustodial Parent Form or Waiver Request Form

 November 9 February 1 March 9

To complete the Princeton Financial Aid Application, you must first apply for admission and create your Princeton Applicant Portal account. Instructions on how to set up your Applicant Portal are sent via email within 48 hours after you submit your admission application. The same credentials will be used to access the Princeton Financial Aid Application.

  1. Complete the Princeton Financial Aid Application
    • The Princeton Financial Aid Application (PFAA) is free and easy to use for both U.S. and international applicants.
    • You may save your data and return to the application as many times as you wish before submitting; we will provide confirmation after we receive your application.
    • After you submit your application, you may continue to view it on the Web, but any new information must be uploaded or sent by letter, fax or email.
    • We do not require nor recommend the CSS Profile for applying for aid at Princeton. If you have already listed Princeton as a Profile recipient, you may import some data from the Profile to the Princeton application. The Princeton application accommodates all applicants, including Canadian and other international students.
    • We recommend that you view the Family and Household Status, Income Documentation, and Reporting your Assets and Expenses pages as they provide useful tips for completing your application.
  2. Upload a copy of your parents' 2020 tax return and W-2 statements
    • Once you submit the PFAA, you'll be able to upload tax documents. The required document can be uploaded one time in the appropriate document type field. If needed, you can use the "other" field for an additional upload.
    • The tax return upload should include the Form 1040 federal income tax return, all schedules, W-2 statements, and schedule K-1s, if applicable.
    • If your parent(s) do not file a U.S. tax return, you must submit an additional document in its place.
    • Please review the Income Documentation page to be sure to submit the correct information.
  3. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
    • If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you are required to submit a FAFSA as part of your aid application.
    • Make sure to include Princeton's Federal School Code, 002627, on the form to ensure we receive your completed FAFSA.
  4. Submit noncustodial parent information
    • If your parents are divorced, separated, or unmarried and living in separate households, and your custodial parent is not (re)married, you are required to complete the Noncustodial Parent's Form to be considered for need-based aid at Princeton.
    • Please review the Family and Household Status page to learn more about this requirement.

Apply for Financial Aid

Related Links:


Financial Aid Office Code of Conduct
Princeton University Nondiscrimination Statement