Financial Aid Timelines

Please reference this timeline often as there are different deadlines for each admission plan. 

• October 1
  • The CSS Profile is open. Complete your CSS Profile at cssprofile.org
• November 1
  • Baylor's CSS Profile priority deadline for Early Decision and Early Action applicants
• December 2023
  • FAFSA open. Visit studentaid.gov for specific dates and announcements and complete FAFSA as soon as possible after application is open to avoid delays
• February 1
  • Final deadline to submit the CSS Profile for all admission plans* 
  • Initial Aid Summaries and Merit-Based Scholarship notifications will start to be released for all admission plans.**
• March 1
  • FAFSA priority deadline for all admission plans
• April 1
  • Financial Aid Offers (if both the FAFSA and CSS Profile have been completed and all requirements satisfied in BearWeb) will start to be released for all admission plans.**
• May 1
  • Priority date for all requested financial aid forms for the Fall semester
• Mid-May
  • Accept federal loan offers in BearWeb if needed
  • Complete Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note
  • studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans
• June 1
  • Priority date to apply for private loans
• July 31 
  • Financial obligation deadline for fall start
• August 
  • Financial Aid disburses to student account 10 days prior to classes beginning
  • Eligible credit balance refunds are initiated a few days before the start of classes. Students are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit through the E-Bill System to expedite refunds of any credit balance. 

*If you miss the final deadline, please submit an application as soon as possible to be considered for any remaining funds, but no later than February 1 of your incoming year.
**This is an ongoing process. Notification dates are subject to change.

Spring Transfer

As soon as possible: Complete your FAFSA at studentaid.gov/fafsa and CSS Profile at cssprofile.org for the current year (2023-24 for a Spring 2024 start) 

• Rolling
  • Admission decision and Scholarships sent
• November
  • Final Deadline to submit current year CSS and FAFSA
• December
  • Deposit Deadline for Fall Transfers 
  • Priority date to apply for private loans
  • Financial Aid Offer notification for Transfer 
  • Accept federal loan offers in BearWeb if needed
  • Complete Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note 
  • studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans
  • Priority date for all requested financial aid forms for the Fall semester 
• January 
  • Financial Aid disburses to student account 10 days prior to classes beginning
  • Eligible credit balance refunds are initiated a few days before the start of classes. Students are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit through the E-Bill System to expedite refunds of any credit balance. 
• January 31
  • Financial obligation deadline for spring starts

Fall 2024 Transfer

• October 1
  • The CSS Profile is open. Complete your CSS Profile at cssprofile.org
• December 2023
  • FAFSA open. See studentaid.gov for specific dates and announcements
• February 1 
  • Priority deadline to submit the CSS Profile
• March 1
  • FAFSA priority deadline
• Rolling
  • Admission decision and Scholarships sent 
• April
  • Financial Aid Offer notification for Transfer 
• May 1
  • Priority date for all requested financial aid forms for the Fall semester 
• Mid-May
  • Accept federal loan offers in BearWeb if needed
  • Complete Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note 
  • studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans 
• June 1
  • Priority date to apply for private loans
  • Final Deadline to Submit FAFSA and CSS 
• July 1
  • Deposit Deadline for Fall Transfers 
• July 31
  • Financial obligation deadline for fall start 
• August
  • Financial Aid disburses to student account 10 days prior to classes beginning
  • Eligible credit balance refunds are initiated a few days before the start of classes. Students are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit through the E-Bill System to expedite refunds of any credit balance. 

• Throughout the year 
  • Log into Scholarship Universe 
  • Apply for Outside Scholarships 
• December 2023
  • Complete your FAFSA, check studentaid.gov for specific dates and updates on availability of the application
• After your submit the FAFSA
  • Monitor BearWeb and BU email for updates 
  • Submit any requested financial aid documents/forms 
• February 1 
  • Committee Scholarships Open 
• March 1
  • Financial Aid Priority Deadline
• April 
  • Registration for Summer and Fall opens 
  • Meet with Baylor One Stop with questions about future financial aid 
• June
  • Financial Aid Offers available to view in BearWeb 
  • Priority date to apply for private loans
• July 1
  • Monthly billing begins for Fall term 
  • Accept federal loans and work study in BearWeb 
  • Complete Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note if not already completed in prior year
  • studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans 
• July 31
  • July 31st bill due 
  • Sign up for payment plan, confirm financial aid, or make payment before this date 
• August
  • Financial Aid disburses to student account 10 days prior to classes beginning
  • Eligible credit balance refunds are initiated a few days before the start of classes.  Students are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit through the E-Bill system to expedite refunds of any credit balance. 
  • Classes begin 

Below is a checklist for graduate students to use as a guide through the financial aid process and to help determine financial aid eligibility.  To be eligible for federal loans and some private loans you must be enrolled at least half-time each term. You must check your Baylor email regularly for important updates from Baylor One Stop. 

1.)  Complete the FAFSA - starting December 2023

The FAFSA for 2024-2025 will be available and open in December 2023.  Check studentaid.gov throughout the month for specific dates and updates. The FAFSA application is needed for each academic year you enroll. The academic year begins in the fall and goes through summer of the following year. Depending upon your graduate program, you may need to complete the FAFSA for multiple years.  Learn more at Completing the FAFSA.  

2.)  Explore Alternate Funding - 3 months prior to the semester due date

Does your employer provide tuition reimbursements? If so, inquire as to the process. Are you eligible for VA benefits? Connect with our VA Benefits group at baylor.edu/vabenefits.

3.)  Apply for Outside Scholarships - start early

This is an ongoing process.  Students should start early with their search and continue throughout their academic career for best potential matches and results.  Visit Baylor's Outside Scholarship webpage for tips on searching, winning, and reporting outside scholarships.  

4.)  Apply for Loans if Needed - 6 weeks prior to the semester due date

Visit our Private Loan page to access a preferred lender list to compare rates and terms if you plan to apply for private loans, or studentaid.gov if applying for the Direct Grad PLUS Loan.

5.)  Review Financial Aid Offer - prior to receiving bill  

Accept federal loan offers in BearWeb if needed. Complete Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note at studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans.

6.)  Fulfilling Financial Obligation for Term - on established due date

Balance must be covered with financial aid, personal resources, or you must have established a payment plan. Learn more at onestop.web.baylor.edu/paymentplans.

Note:  Students can also check with the graduate program to determine if there are any specific department scholarships that may be available for students to apply for.

7.) Receive Credit Balance Refunds for Term, if applicable

Once financial aid is applied to the student account, any eligible credit balance refund will be initiated a few days before the start of class for the term.  Students are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit through the E-Bill system to expedite refunds of any credit balance.