Apply for Financial Aid

Please note: Princeton will use the information provided by families on the Princeton Financial Aid Application to offer admitted students a tentative aid package that meets 100% of demonstrated financial need with a grant. Since there will be a delay in schools receiving student FAFSA information from the U.S. Department of Education, the tentative aid packages will meet full need without federal funds and will later be adjusted by replacing institutional grant with federal funds for those eligible. Admitted students should not see any change in the amount of grant in the aid package once the FAFSA information has been received, unless there is different information provided on the form. 

Below you will find information for prospective applicants. If you are an enrolled student, please visit the financial aid website for current students. 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.

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 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.
   • Once submitted, you cannot view or update your application. Please print or save a copy of the application before submitting. Any new information must be uploaded or sent by letter, fax or email.
   • We do not require nor accept the CSS Profile for applying for aid at Princeton.
   • 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' 2023 signed tax return and W-2 statements
   • Once you submit the PFAA, you'll be able to upload tax documents. The required documents can be uploaded in the appropriate document type field. If needed, you can use the "other" field for additional documents.
   • The signed tax return upload should include the Form 1040 federal income tax return, all schedules, W-2 statements, schedule K-1s, and business returns, 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.

Related Links:

Financial Aid Office Code of Conduct

Princeton University Nondiscrimination Statement