General FAQs

FAFSA Simplification Act

• When will the 2024-2025 FAFSA be available?

  The 2024-2025 FAFSA will be available in late December.

  It will be due by April 1, along with all other renewal application materials. 

• Will the changes to the FAFSA impact my financial aid eligibility at Dartmouth?

  The FAFSA Simplification Act impacts only the federal financial aid calculation. Dartmouth uses an institutional calculation to determine a student's demonstrated need, and the respective scholarship award.

  Federal financial aid may be used to meet your demonstrated need, but the overall amount of aid you will receive will not be impacted.

Reapplying for Financial Aid

• Do I have to reapply for financial aid every year?

  Yes. You will reapply for financial aid for each year of enrollment. Summer term is the first term of each academic year, so if you are enrolled for summer, be sure to submit your application as soon as you can. Renewal applications open in the fall and are due April 1 each year. 

• How do I let you know that my family's financial situation is currently different or will be different in the upcoming year?

  If you have special circumstances that you would like us to consider, you can tell us about them on the Dartmouth Renewal Application or by submitting a letter through IDOC. This includes any changes in your circumstances or information about unique ongoing expenses that we may have asked about in the past. You can also tell us if your family's current year income from employment will be lower by fifteen percent or more.

Verification

• Do I have to complete the verification process?

  No. However, if you don't complete it, you will be forfeiting your eligibility for financial aid—including a Dartmouth scholarship.

• I am divorced or separated but filed a joint tax return with my spouse. What do I do?

  You will be required to provide proof that you were separated on or before the day you completed the FAFSA. One example of acceptable documentation is court documentation that shows a separation date. Another example of acceptable documentation is proof of separate physical addresses on bills for both parties dated on or before the day you filed the FAFSA. You will also be required to provide IRS tax transcripts and all W2s for both you and your spouse.

• I tried using IRS Data Retrieval, but I am having trouble with my FSA ID username and password. What should I do?

  If you are having trouble with your FSA ID user name or password, contact us or FAFSA Customer Service immediately for troubleshooting solutions.

• My current address is different from what's on my tax return. What do I do?

  When using data retrieval or the online PDF request tax transcript options, when prompted, you should enter the address you filed your tax returns with. If you must order a paper version to be mailed to your new address you may be able to request a tax return transcript via telephone or you may need to complete the IRS Form 4506T to request a free copy of a Tax Return Transcript.

• Once I've sent Dartmouth a copy of the verification forms, data retrieval or tax transcripts, and W-2s I'm done, right?

  Not necessarily. After reviewing the documents you submitted we may need to request additional information and/or documentation to resolve any discrepancies. We will notify you via email. We ask you to respond promptly to these requests as this will help to finalize the verification process.

• The IRS website offers two different types of transcripts, a return transcript and an account transcript. Which one should I order?

  Tax Return Transcript? YES!!!

  Tax Account Transcript? NO!!!

  You are required to supply a tax return transcript as it includes all lines of the tax return you filed.

• What if I (or my parents) have applied for an extension to file our tax return?

  As instructed by the verification forms, provide our office with a copy of your Form 4868 (the request for an extension to file a federal return) and W-2 form(s). If you do not have W-2 form(s), please submit a statement with your estimated adjusted gross income and income taxes paid. You (and/or your parents) must submit a signed copy of the completed tax return as soon as it is available.

• What if I didn't file a federal tax return?

  If federal regulations did not require you (or your parents) file a return, simply indicate that you did not file on our Federal Verification Worksheet. Submit all completed verification forms along with a copy of all W-2 Forms to our office.

  If you (or your parents) were required to file a federal tax return but did not, we will be unable to review your aid application until the tax return is filed.

• What is the difference between a tax transcript and a tax return?

  A Tax Return Transcript is a line-by-line summary of the actual tax return you filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Department of Education requires us to confirm that the information you provided on your FAFSA is the same information you filed with the IRS.

• Why do I need to give you this information? Isn't it on the FAFSA form?

  The purpose of the process is to confirm that the information reported on the FAFSA is correct. If any information is incorrect, we must make corrections and submit them to the Department of Education for reprocessing.

  You and your family agreed to provide financial information when you completed the FAFSA. Everyone who signs the FAFSA agrees to "If asked, provide information that will verify the accuracy of your completed form."

Living Off Campus

• Can I use my financial aid funds to pay my rent?

  You may be eligible for a refund if your total financial aid per term exceeds the charges on your account. If so, those funds can be used to pay your rent. According to our policies, we can't advance any funds to you before the start of each term to pay for private rent or a security deposit. You may have to cover these costs up front.

• Does Dartmouth help students to find private rental accommodations?

  Dartmouth College has a Real Estate Office which lists available area apartments and rooms. The staff who work in that office, located at 4 Currier Place, Suite 305, are a good source of information and advice about renting in the Upper Valley.

• How will living off-campus affect my financial aid?

  When living off-campus, you will not be billed for housing through the College, though you may still choose to purchase a meal plan. Your financial aid will still be based on the same living cost allowance, and will not change.

• How will my Dartmouth bill change if I live off-campus?

  A charge for housing will no longer be on your Dartmouth bill, and this reduces the amount owed directly to Dartmouth. However, the cost of housing will now be owed to your landlord, likely on a monthly schedule. It's important to keep track of this separately.

  You may choose to still buy a meal plan if you live off-campus. If you do, this will be included on your bill.

General Financial Aid

• Am I required to borrow a student loan?

  Dartmouth has announced that current and future students, beginning with the 2022-23 academic year, will not have the expectation that they borrow a student loan as part of their initial financial aid offer. A student's demonstrated need will be met with a combination of student employment and scholarship or grant funding. Students and parents may decide to take additional loan to help with the calculated family contribution or additional expenses such as health insurance or a computer.

  Please visit our No Loan FAQ page for more information. 

• Can I receive financial aid when I'm living on campus and not taking classes?

  Sometimes. Students may be eligible for leave-term Work-Study, although no other financial aid (scholarship or loans) can be awarded during a leave term. Students who plan to stay in a residence hall during a leave term are responsible for the room charges as well as the required meal plan.

• Do I get financial aid for books?

  Some students will have enough Dartmouth Scholarship to cover books. Some students may be expected to cover the cost of books with their family contribution.

  Along with transportation and "other educational costs", books are an indirect expense. We expect that your family contribution or work expectation will cover the cost of books. In some cases, a student's total scholarship and/or loan may exceed the total of the billable costs. In these cases, the student may take a refund of the excess aid to put towards their indirect costs.

  Please note that Dartmouth does not have a bookstore – you will purchase books from whatever vendor you choose.

• Does Dartmouth help fund unpaid internships or research?

  Yes. A comprehensive listing of funding opportunities is kept on the Undergraduate Advising & Research website.

• I have made a mistake on my Financial Aid Application - how do I correct it?

  Both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile allow you to log back in to make a correction to your application. You may only make a correction to the CSS Profile one time. The Scholarship Matching Survey allows you to log back in to make a correction or update. The Dartmouth Renewal Application cannot be updated after submission. You may contact our office if you wish to make a correction or share additional information. If you are unable to make a correction or question whether you should, please contact our office for guidance.

• What can I do if I'm not happy with my financial aid award?

  Tell us! More information from you or your family, including copies of better financial aid from other schools, may result in award adjustments consistent with an equitable treatment of all our students. The Financial Aid Office can also advise families about loan and monthly payment plans.

• What does it mean if I have a negative balance in DPay?

  A negative balance refers to a refund.  Refunds are created when the total financial aid exceeds the billable expenses for a term. Not all students will receive a refund. If your financial aid did not exceed the billable expenses, then we would expect that your family contribution and work expectations will cover your indirect expenses.

• What if my parents are divorced or separated?

  According to regulations, the financial aid information of only the custodial household must be used to determine eligibility for federal funds. However, for Dartmouth's own scholarship purposes, we request additional information from the noncustodial parent. Dartmouth believes that both natural parents have an obligation to contribute to their children's educational costs.

• What is the "family contribution?"

  We ask for realistic payments from you and your parents. Dartmouth uses the Federal Methodology need analysis formula to determine eligibility for federal funds. In measuring need for Dartmouth scholarships, we look at total income, home equity, family's assets, and your own assets to determine a fair family contribution. This amount is subtracted from the cost of a Dartmouth education to determine how much assistance you need.

• What is the Federal Work-Study Program and how does Dartmouth help students to find employment to make up this part of their financial aid package?

  Work-Study is a type of federal financial aid. Students eligible for Work-Study will need to find employment (usually on campus) and will receive a paycheck for the number of hours they work. Work-study earnings are not applied to tuition costs but are meant to go toward a student's out-of-pocket expenses, such as books, travel, and personal care items. Dartmouth's Student Employment Office lists jobs and helps students to find Work-Study placements.

• Will I lose some financial aid if I receive an outside award/scholarship?

  Dartmouth will allow you to use outside scholarship funds to reduce or replace the employment and student loan components of your award. If your award includes a leave-term earnings expectation as part of your Student Contribution, outside scholarships can also replace that amount. For students eligible for federal aid, if there is still a gap remaining between Dartmouth's EFC and the EFC calculated by the FAFSA, outside aid can also be used to reduce Dartmouth's EFC down to the federal level.

  It is rare, but there are times when a student's outside resources are large enough that we are required to partially reduce a student's scholarship award from Dartmouth in order to comply with federal and institutional awarding guidelines.

• Will my aid change after the first year?

  We are committed to helping you the entire time you are a Dartmouth student. You reapply for aid each year, submitting updated applications and financial documents. Awards are adjusted to reflect changes in family financial circumstances and the moderate earnings increases during upperclass years.

Study Abroad and Financial Aid

• Can I afford to study abroad?

  Yes! For help sorting out who pays what and how, a visit to the Financial Aid Office is often advisable.

• How do I pay for Dartmouth's own off-campus programs?

  Tuition and expected family contribution for Dartmouth's off-campus programs are the same as for an on-campus term - though the total cost of term is usually more than a term here in Hanover, due to increased travel and living costs. Costs in excess of the cost of a typical term on-campus are met with additional Dartmouth scholarship. Students are responsible for purchasing their own plane ticket and, in many cases, meals. Often this means that part of the expected family contribution is used towards these costs rather than for tuition. Read more about how your aid covers a Dartmouth Study Abroad Program.

• How do I pay for official exchange programs?

  Financial aid is available for official exchange programs arranged through the College. Financial Aid awards are adjusted to reflect the actual cost of the exchange term. Similar to Dartmouth programs, scholarship assistance will be awarded for the different in total cost between the term away, and a term here in Hanover. 

  Dartmouth College has official exchange programs with the following institutions:

  University of California at San Diego (UCSD); Twelve College Exchange (Amherst, Bowdoin, Connecticut, Mount Holyoke, Smith, Trinity, Vassar, Wellesley, Wesleyan and Wheaton); Williams College Mystic Seaport Program in American Maritime Studies; Eugene O'Neill National Theatre Institute; Morehouse College; Spelman College; McGill University (Montreal, Canada); Keble College at Oxford (United Kingdom); Bocconi University (Milan, Italy); Chulalongkorn University (Bangkok, Thailand); Yonsei University (Seoul, Korea); University of Copenhagen (Denmark); German Universities Exchange Program; Keio University (Tokyo, Japan); Kanda Universtiy (Tokyo, Japan); Chinese University of Hong Kong

• How do I pay for transfer terms?

  Aid for transfer terms (study at colleges with which Dartmouth has no official exchange program agreements) is available in limited circumstances. Aid will be in the form of federal assistance and outside scholarships that are transferable. Dartmouth scholarship and loan assistance is not available for transfer terms. There is significant paperwork involved in arranging financial aid for a transfer term; please plan ahead. You should definitely meet with a financial aid officer before finalizing your plans.

Tax Returns

• What documents do I need to submit for parental tax returns?

  Confidential information, including personally identifiable information (PII), should not be transmitted via email without encryption. If you are sending sensitive information, we encourage you to either use the IDOC option, mail the documents, or provide the documents via encrypted application (i.e., Winzip) with password protection. The password to open any encrypted documents should be sent via separate email.

  The standard financial aid application uses two years prior tax returns to calculate aid eligibility.

  
  If you are applying for the 2023/2024 year, please submit tax returns and documents for 2021.

  If you are applying for the 2024/2025 year, please submit tax returns and documents for 2022.

  Undocumented Students Residing in the U.S.

  Signed copies of Parents' Federal Income Tax Return, including all schedules and W-2 forms. Please be sure that the student's name and Dartmouth ID (if applicable) appear at the top of each page submitted. If no income tax return will be filed, this should be certified in writing by completing the non-filing form for the appropriate year. 

  Canadian Residents

  Signed copies of all pages and schedules of Parents' T1 General Tax Forms. If you file a U.S. tax return in addition to a Canadian return, both must be submitted. Please be sure that the student's name and Dartmouth ID (if applicable) appear at the top of each page submitted. Submit information to the Financial Aid Office.

  International Residents

  Signed copies of all pages of your Parents' Income Tax Statement for your country of residence should be submitted to the Financial Aid Office. If your parents file separately, please send a copy of each parent's tax return. Tax returns must be in English. You may translate these documents. Please be sure the student's name appear at the top of each page. Submit the information to the Financial Aid Office via email, fax, or postal mail.

  If your parents do not file tax forms, then you may submit a statement from their employer verifying their annual income for the appropriate tax year. This statement must be in English. You may translate it.