Financial Aid Timelines

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

• October 1
  • The FAFSA & CSS Profile are open. Complete your FAFSA at studentaid.gov/fafsa and CSS Profile at cssprofile.org
• November 1
  • Baylor's FAFSA & CSS Profile priority deadline for Early Decision 1 and Early Action applicants
• January 15
  • Scholarship & Financial Aid Package notification for Early Decision 1 applicants
• February 1
  • Final deadline to submit the CSS Profile for all admission plans* 
  • Scholarship & Financial Aid Package notification for Early Action applicants
• March 15
  • Scholarship & Financial Aid Package notification for Early Decision 2 applicants
• April 10
  • Scholarship & Financial Aid Package notification for Regular Admission applicants
• May 1
  • Priority date for all requested financial aid forms for the Fall semester
• Mid-May
  • Accept direct 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 alternative loans: baylor.edu/sfs/alternative
• July 31 
  • Financial obligation deadline for fall start

Fall Transfer

• October 1
  • The FAFSA & CSS Profile are open. Complete your FAFSA at studentaid.gov/fafsa and CSS Profile at cssprofile.org 
• February 1 
  • Priority deadline to submit the CSS Profile and FAFSA 
• Rolling
  • Admission decision and Scholarships sent 
• April
  • Financial Aid Package notification for Transfer 
• May 1
  • Priority date for all requested financial aid forms for the Fall semester 
• Mid-May
  • Accept direct 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 alternative loans
  • Final Deadline to Submit FAFSA and CSS 
• July 1
  • Deposit Deadline for Fall Transfers 
• July 31
  • Financial obligation deadline for fall start 

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 alternative loans
  • Financial Aid Package notification for Transfer 
  • Accept direct 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 31
  • Financial obligation deadline for spring start 

• October 1
  • Complete your FAFSA
• After you submit the FAFSA 
  • Monitor BearWeb and BU email for updates 
  • Submit any requested financial aid documents/forms 
• Beginning January 
  • Log into Scholarship Universe 
  • Apply for Outside Scholarships 
• February 1 
  • Financial Aid Priority Deadline 
  • Committee Scholarships Open 
• April 
  • Registration for Summer and Fall opens 
  • Meet with Baylor One Stop with questions about future financial aid 
• June
  • Financial Aid Packages available to view in BearWeb 
  • Priority date to apply for alternative loans
• July 1
  • Monthly billing begins for Fall term 
  • Accept federal loans and work study in BearWeb 
• July 31
  • July 31st  bills due 
  • Sign up for payment plan, confirm financial aid, or make payment before this date 
• August
  • 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 alternative loans you must be enrolled at least half-time each term. You must check your Baylor email regularly for important updates from Student Financial Services. 

1.)  Complete the FAFSA - starting October 1st 

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, opens annually on October 1.  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 Alternative Loan page to access a preferred lender list to compare rates and terms if you plan to apply for alternative loans, or studentaid.gov if applying for the Direct Grad PLUS Loan.

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

Accept direct 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.