If you're applying for financial aid for the first time, we’re here to help you through the process.
After you have completed the admission application process, make sure that you file your financial aid forms with their respective processing centers by the priority deadlines listed on this page to ensure that you're given full consideration for all financial aid programs.
If you’re applying Early Decision I, you will need to submit your financial aid forms earlier.
For 2025-2026, the FAFSA is expected to be available on December 1, 2024.
The CSS Profile will be available on October 1, 2024.
Due to the delayed FAFSA release for 2025-2026, all newly admitted students will receive an estimated financial aid offer. Once the FAFSA is filed and federal aid eligibility is finalized, a final financial aid offer will be released. This will likely be after enrollment to the College. Federal, state, and institutional need-based aid are subject to change from the initial estimated offer.
Please note that for the 2025-2026 academic year, financial aid eligibility will be based on income information from tax year 2023.
| Required | Early Decision I Deadlines | Early Decision II Deadlines | Regular Decision Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions Application Due | November 15 | January 15 | January 15 |
| CSS Profile | November 15 | January 15 | January 15 |
| FAFSA | January 15 | January 15 | January 15 |
| 2023 Federal Tax Forms submitted to IDOC (after CSS Profile is filed) | November 15 | January 15 | January 15 |
| Notification of Financial Aid decisions | Released with Admission decision | Released with Admission decision | Released with Admission decision |
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Visit the FAFSA website
FAFSA Deadlines
Early Decision I: January 15
Early Decision II: January 15
Regular Decision: January 15
College of the Holy Cross - federal school code: 002141
An official, valid FAFSA is required of all students who intend to apply for federal or institutional financial aid.
Make sure you include Holy Cross' federal school code (002141) on the FAFSA to ensure that we receive your data. It is recommended that you file the FAFSA online, or you may acquire a paper FAFSA by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID and submitting it via mail to the processing agency.
Federal Verification
If your FAFSA is selected for Federal Verification, we will be in contact with you and your family on specific additional requirements as needed.
You are required to submit the 2025-2026 Verification Worksheet. This worksheet must be completed, signed by the student and parent, and submitted along with all other documents to IDOC. Please be advised that your application for financial aid will be considered incomplete until we receive this and all requested documents necessary to complete the verification process.
College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile)
Visit the CSS Profile website
CSS Profile Deadlines
Early Decision I: November15
Early Decision II: January 15
Regular Decision: January 15
College of the Holy Cross - CSS code number: 3282
This application is required if you wish to be considered for Holy Cross need-based grants and scholarships.
You can begin the online application process by creating a College Board account (if you don't already have one). You may then complete the entire CSS Profile in one sitting, or you may choose to save it and return to it later.
The CSS Profile is free for all domestic undergraduate students whose family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is $100,000 dollars or less.
If your parents are separated, divorced, or never married and NOT living together, both of your biological/adoptive parents will complete their own CSS Profile. Each parent will access the CSS Profile with different log-in credentials. The noncustodial parent will need to create a College Board account before providing their information. It's highly recommended that the student and custodial parent complete the CSS Profile first, as the noncustodial parent cannot submit information until the student selects a school that requires the submission of noncustodial parent information.
In cases of special circumstances, when you are unable to have the CSS Profile completed by your noncustodial parent, you may submit a Noncustodial Parent Waiver Request Form directly to our office. With your custodial parent, please complete this form to the best of your ability and provide any necessary documentation that will support your request for a waiver. Submitting this request to our office does not automatically guarantee that we have waived the noncustodial parent requirement. You will be notified in writing within one week of receipt of your request if your waiver has been approved.
International Students
Holy Cross meets 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted international students. Funding is limited, so financial aid for international applicants is very competitive.
To apply for financial aid, please complete the CSS Profile for International Students found on the College Board’s website and carefully follow the directions for submission. If the fee for submitting the CSS Profile is a financial burden, an applicant may request a fee waiver. Due to the volume of requests for CSS Profile fee waivers, the Financial Aid office will only consider applicants who have fulfilled all the requirements for international applicants indicated by the Office of Admission.
Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC) - 2023 Federal Tax Forms
Complete copies of actual federal tax returns (i.e. 1040 Form), including all schedules, W-2 wage statements, all business tax returns (i.e. partnership, s-corporation, corporate), schedules, and K-1s must be submitted for the parent(s) (custodial and noncustodial) and the student to the College Board's Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC) by Nov. 15 for Early Decision I applicants and by Jan. 15 for Early Decision II and Regular Decision applicants.
You will receive instructions after you have completed the CSS Profile application online on how to submit your documents to IDOC.
If either you and/or your parent(s) do NOT file a federal tax return, you must download, complete, and submit to IDOC a Non-Tax Filer's Statement (PDF). In addition, except for dependent students, confirmation of non-filing from the IRS or other relevant tax authority dated on or after Oct. 1, 2024 is required. Please visit the IRS.gov website to request a Verification of Non-filing Letter.
Notification of Financial Aid for Early Decision I Applicants
For accepted Early Decision I students, we will notify you of your estimated financial aid offer on Dec. 15 upon your acceptance to the College, provided that all required financial aid applications and documents have been received.
Notification of Financial Aid for Early Decision II Applicants
For accepted Early Decision II students, we will notify you of your estimated financial aid offer on Feb. 15 upon your acceptance to the College, provided that all required financial aid applications and documents have been received.
Notification of Financial Aid for Regular Decision Applicants
If you submit a complete financial aid application, the release of your estimated financial aid offer will coincide with the release of your Admission decision.