Applying for Financial Aid

Please keep in mind that applicants who do not apply for need-based financial aid during the admission process will not be able to apply for need-based financial aid later as a student at Denison.

We meet 100% of all demonstrated need

Denison works to be affordable for all students.

Use a financial aid calculator

Applying for Financial Aid

We know that the college admission and financial aid application processes can be daunting, but we are committed to make this process as easy (and painless) as possible. Simply follow the four steps below and know that we are here to help you along the way!

For international students, the financial aid process is a little different. Learn More »

Step 1: Check the box!

When you apply for admission to Denison, check the box that says that you intend to apply for financial aid.

Step 2: Complete the FAFSA

When applying to Denison for the fall of 2025, it is important to submit the CSS Profile, Asset and Family Verification form, and parent 2023 wage and income statements to Denison. You can verify the statuses of these forms in your Financial Aid Checklist through your applicant portal. This information is required to determine your aid eligibility.

Additionally, please submit the FAFSA as soon as possible once it becomes available. If admitted, we will need to receive your FAFSA before we can finalize your financial aid package and disburse aid for the fall semester.

The 2025-26 CSS Profile will be available Oct. 1, 2024, for the upcoming academic year.
The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be available in Dec. 2024 for the upcoming academic year.
Use the code 003042 to designate Denison University.
Prior to completing the FAFSA form, prospective students and all of their parents/guardians and/or contributors must obtain a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID). This can be done at the FSA ID site. Please retain this information as you will need it each year you attend Denison.
After you file your FAFSA, you will receive the FAFSA Submission Summary from the Department of Education that provides you with the submitted FAFSA information. Please review to ensure this information is correct.
The FAFSA needs to be completed each year a student is enrolled at Denison.

Applicants who are considered independent for federal aid, based on federally defined criteria, do not have to submit parental information or have a parental signature on the FAFSA.

Step 3: Complete the CSS Profile

The College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile charges a $25 fee for the first school and $16 for each additional school. For families with an AGI of less than $100,000 dollars, there is no cost.
Use the code 1164 to designate Denison University.
If your parents are divorced/separated/never married, etc., each of your parents will complete their own CSS Profile. You and your primary parent (the parent who provided you with the most financial support) will complete your CSS Profile using your College Board account/log-in credentials. In addition, your other parent will need to create a College Board account if they don’t currently have one (this parent should not use the student’s College Board account).
The CSS Profile only needs to be completed once: at the time the student is applying to Denison.

Step 4: Submit Earnings Statements & Asset and Family Verification

Primary parents are required to upload financial documents to Denison through IDOC — a College Board service that securely collects family financial documents and distributes them to institutions on behalf of the student. There is no cost for IDOC service.
For most families, commonly required items include the 2023 W-2 forms or 1099 forms. All documents should be sent individually through IDOC to prevent delays in processing or document rejection. For security purposes, earnings statements will only be accepted through IDOC. Please do not mail, email, or fax these documents to Denison.
All students applying for financial aid must submit the Asset and Family Verification Worksheet through your applicant portal.

Financial Aid Deadlines

Prospective Students

The deadlines for financial aid are the same as admission application deadlines. A student applying for financial aid must complete their FAFSA and CSS Profile by the following dates:

Early Decision 1: November 15
Early Decision 2: January 15
Regular Decision: January 15

Returning Students

The FAFSA form must be resubmitted each year that you are enrolled at Denison. Returning students must complete a renewal FAFSA online by April 1 of each academic year for aid in the following academic year. Failure to submit a renewal FAFSA by April 1 will jeopardize financial aid eligibility at Denison.

Types of Financial Aid

Scholarships (merit-based)

All students who submit an application for admission are considered for merit-based scholarships, which range from $5,000 per year to full tuition. Scholarships are awarded at the time of admission. Review our comprehensive list of merit scholarships.

Financial Aid (need-based)

You’ve read it on this page three times already, but Denison meets 100% of demonstrated financial need! We are committed to making Denison affordable for ALL of our students. Denison will determine your financial need from both the FAFSA and CSS Profile information. At Denison, need-based aid is offered through a variety of grants and loans. Learn more about types of need-based aid.

Loans (self-help)

The decision to invest in a Denison education is one of the most important decisions a family will make. Education is an investment in yourself, your career, and your financial future. Federal, institutional, and private loans are all excellent sources to assist in funding a Denison education. Learn more about loan opportunities.

Award Letters

An award letter, containing information about scholarships, grants, and offered loans, will be first sent to admitted students in their admitted student packet in addition to being available in the student’s applicant portal.

Returning students are notified via email that their award details for the next academic year are available in their My Financial Aid portals through MyDenison. These notifications start in April and continue as FAFSA forms are received.

More information about Award Letters & Next Steps

Still have questions? Check out our Financial Aid FAQ