How to Apply for Aid

Financial aid eligibility is based on a combination of factors. Understanding these can help you set realistic expectations and plan ahead.

How Financial Need Is Calculated

Once a FAFSA is submitted, the federal government calculates the Student Aid Index (SAI)—an estimate of the family’s ability to contribute finances toward the Cost of Attendance (COA). The COA includes both direct costs billed by Emerson (i.e., tuition, mandatory fees, on-campus meal plan, and housing) and indirect costs (i.e., off-campus housing, books, supplies, travel, and personal expenses). Students who believe the COA does not accurately reflect their circumstances may submit a Cost of Attendance Appeal to the Office of Financial Aid.

Financial need is the difference between the COA and the SAI. Emerson uses this figure to develop a financial aid package.

General Eligibility Criteria

1. Meet all financial aid deadlines. Late applications may not be considered.
   1. Your financial aid application must be received before the end of the academic year in which you are seeking aid. For fall-only enrollment, submit at least one week before the last day of the fall semester. For full-year or spring-only enrollment, submit at least one week before the last day of the spring semester. In each case, contact the Office of Financial Aid to inform them of your FAFSA filing to ensure processing.
2. Be a matriculated, degree-seeking student. Many programs require full-time enrollment.
3. Federal aid requires U.S. citizenship, U.S. nationality, or eligible non-citizen status (e.g., Permanent Resident Card holders).
4. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as outlined in the Emerson College Undergraduate Student Handbook.
5. Not be in default on any federal educational loan or owe a refund on any grant.

Students who move off-campus may see a change in institutional award eligibility.

Need Additional Consideration?

In the event that a family’s financial situation has changed—job loss, medical expenses, divorce, or other unusual circumstances, a General Appeal can be requested through the Admission Portal. This would entail a financial aid administrator to review the appeal and additional documentation, then exercising Professional Judgment to potentially change the SAI.

Dependency Override

Students under 24 years of age are generally considered dependent on their parents for federal aid purposes. In limited circumstances, the financial aid office can change your status from dependent to independent. Circumstances that may qualify include:

• An abusive family environment
• Abandonment or estrangement by your parents
• Incarceration or institutionalization of both parents
• Parents cannot be located

The following do not qualify for a dependency override:

• Parents refuse to contribute to your education
• Parents are unwilling to provide FAFSA information
• Parents do not claim you as a dependent for tax purposes
• You are fully self-sufficient

Contact the Office of Financial Aid if you believe you may qualify. You will be asked to describe your circumstances to a Financial Aid officer and subsequently provide supporting documentation.

Submit the completed FAFSA as early as possible beginning October 1, 2026. Emerson College’s FAFSA school code is 002146. Enter this code to ensure your application is sent to the institution.

Federal Verification

The U.S. Department of Education selects some FAFSA files for a process called verification—a review to confirm the accuracy of the information submitted. If selected, the financial aid document checklist will be updated with the items needed to submit. Financial aid awards cannot be determined until the verification process is complete.

Emerson’s federal verification deadline is the end of the semester or academic year of enrollment, whichever comes first. Before classes begin, submit documents through the Admission Portal. After the first week of classes, submit through the SFS Portal.

How to Submit Documents

Upload documents through the uploader tool in the Admission Portal or mail them to:

Emerson College
Office of Financial Aid
120 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116

Our physical location is:

216 Tremont Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02116

Do not fax or email documents.

Your financial aid deadlines depend on how you applied for admission. Find your applicant type below.

Early Decision I Applicants

Financial aid packages for Early Decision applicants aDeadlinere tentative and estimated. Your package may change as additional requirements are received and verified. An official package will be available online once your application is complete.

* Supplemental documents only if requested by the Office of Financial Aid: signed federal tax returns, W-2 forms, Verification Worksheet, etc.

Early Action Applicants

Financial aid packages for Early Action applicants are tentative and estimated. Your package may change as additional requirements are received and verified. An official package will be available online once your application is complete.

* Supplemental documents only if requested by the Office of Financial Aid: signed federal tax returns, W-2 forms, Verification Worksheet, etc.

Regular Decision Applicants

Financial aid packages for Regular Decision applicants are tentative and estimated. Your package may change as additional requirements are received and verified. An official package will be available online once your application is complete.

* Supplemental documents only if requested by the Office of Financial Aid: signed federal tax returns, W-2 forms, Verification Worksheet, etc.

Transfer Applicants

Financial aid packages for Transfer applicants are tentative and estimated. Your package may change as additional requirements are received and verified. An official package will be available online once your application is complete.

* Supplemental documents only if requested by the Office of Financial Aid: signed federal tax returns, W-2 forms, Verification Worksheet, etc.

Our net price calculator helps you estimate your out-of-pocket expenses and explore your eligibility for financial aid.

The Emerson College Net Price Calculator

The Office of Financial Aid is here to help you understand your options and navigate the process. Reach out with questions about your application, your aid package, or anything else.

Office of Financial Aid

Physical Address

216 Tremont Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02116

Mailing Address

120 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116