The Office of Financial Aid administers need-based aid. International students may apply for the Berklee International Grant. Domestic students: your financial assistance is evaluated based on the results of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

How to Apply for Financial Aid (Domestic Students)

Download the Instructions and Information Booklet for detailed instructions. The financial aid calendar is as follows:

Between January 1 and February 14, you should complete the FAFSA. (If you miss these dates, you should still apply, but eligibility for some funds is determined by these deadlines). Entering students should complete the FAFSA once they have applied for admission in order to meet these deadlines. You do not need to have completed your tax return in order to complete the FAFSA. The Office of Financial Aid recommends that you complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov; however, the paper form is available from your high school guidance office or from the Office of Financial Aid.

Approximately four weeks after you have submitted your FAFSA to the Department of Education, the Office of Financial Aid will receive an analysis of your FAFSA from the federal processor. You may be asked by the Office of Financial Aid to submit additional documentation (such as signed copies of federal income tax returns or the Berklee Verification Worksheet).

Simultaneous to the Office of Financial Aid receiving your FAFSA results, you should receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Department of Education. Review you SAR for accuracy. If corrections are necessary, follow the instructions on the form.

After You Apply

When you have been admitted to Berklee, your financial aid counselor will review the results of your FAFSA and determine an award of need-based financial aid. You will receive a Financial Aid Award Letter detailing the amount of need-based aid that you have been offered. We begin to notify entering students of their financial aid awards in early April. Continuing students will be reviewed in the order that their FAFSA was received, beginning in mid-April. Upon receipt of the Award Letter, the student should review it, sign it, and return one copy to the Office of Financial Aid.

Need-based funds are limited and often do not cover the cost of attendance. If the amount of your financial aid combined with your and your family's resources requires you to seek additional funds, supplemental loan options are available. See the Loan Comparison Charts (at Forms for Download) for more information. Additionally, the Office of the Bursar administers a monthly payment plan through Tuition Management System (TMS).

For Further Information

Please read Eligibility for Assistance.