Applying to Duke: Cost & Financial Aid

OUR PHILOSOPHY

At Duke, we recognize that a college education is often one of the single largest investments a family makes. In our view, cost should not be a barrier to enrollment; that's why we are fully committed to our need-based financial aid program. In fact, nearly half of our undergraduates receive some form of financial assistance.

We admit U.S. citizens and permanent residents without regard to their financial circumstances or aid eligibility, and we meet 100 percent of demonstrated need for these students throughout their undergraduate enrollment. We also meet the full demonstrated financial need for a limited number of foreign citizens, but applying for financial aid does affect the admissions decision for these students because financial resources available to foreign citizens are limited.

FINANCIAL AID

We view our financial aid program as an investment in students and their futures. We seek a diverse student body and are committed to ensuring that all students can take full advantage of the Duke experience.

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

To apply for both federal and institutional need-based aid, U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents must complete and submit two financial aid applications: the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA) and the CSS PROFILE application. After students submit the CSS Profile, they will receive instructions from the College Board about submitting a copy of their family's most recently filed tax forms and any other supplemental forms that may be required. Students who are interested in applying only for federal student assistance may submit only the FAFSA. These forms should be filed by March 1. Students failing to meet the March 1 deadline may have to make a decision on the offer of admission prior to receiving notification of financial aid.

Students applying for financial aid as part of their Early Decision application should file the PROFILE with the College Scholarship Service by November 15.

Foreign Citizens

There are two applicant pools for foreign citizens: those not applying for financial aid who will be considered for admission along with U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents, and those applying for financial aid who will be considered in a separate process for a limited number of places in the entering class. Also, foreign citizens who do not apply for financial aid initially may not subsequently apply for financial aid during their time at Duke unless they become U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Foreign citizens who are not U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents applying for financial aid must submit the College Board Profile Application online. In addition, copies of the family's most recent national tax forms or income information should be submitted to the College Board's IDOC services. Instructions on how to submit documentation to IDOC will be sent to the applicant once the Profile has been submitted. These forms should be filed by March 1.

International students living with their families in the United States should submit the same financial aid materials Duke requires for U.S. citizens except the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

For more information about financial aid, please visit the Financial Aid Office Web site.