When will I receive my financial aid award?
If you complete your financial aid application on time, you should receive your financial aid award shortly after you hear about admission.
If I am awarded an outside scholarship, will my financial aid package be reduced?
If you receive a need-based financial aid package, outside scholarships will not change the total amount of your financial aid package. But they will improve the nature of your aid package.
How can I learn more about my chances of receiving financial aid?
There are publications that can help families estimate their financial aid eligibility. The American College Testing (ACT) offers the Financial Aid Estimator, and the College Scholarship Service (CSS) offers the College Money Planner. These can be obtained from your high school college guidance office. Macalester's Financial Aid staff can help you interpret the information supplied by this process and assist you in planning to finance your college education.
Am I eligible for financial aid when on an off-campus program?
Students who participate in Macalester-approved programs may apply for and receive financial aid. Macalester is committed to providing aid so that students from all financial backgrounds can participate in off-campus programs.
What if I am unable to find a summer job to meet my student contribution?
Any student who does not find a summer job or works less than full-time should write the Financial Aid Office in early August, giving specific information. We can add additional work and/or loan to address the lack of summer earnings.
Is it possible to appeal my financial aid award?
If the student and parents' financial circumstances have changed since the time of the aid application, they may write a letter of appeal regarding the award. It is important to include specific information and data explaining how your situation has changed. The aid award cannot be increased unless justified by recognized financial aid methodologies.
Do I have to reapply for financial aid every year? Will my financial aid package change each year?
Yes. Eligibility for need-based financial aid will be re-evaluated for each year of enrollment at Macalester. The most common reasons for changes to need-based financial aid eligibility are siblings entering or leaving undergraduate study and significant changes in family income. Financial aid application materials are sent to currently enrolled students during the first month of spring semester.
How do tuition increases affect my financial aid package?
Generally, the grant portion of a student's financial aid package remains the same from year to year. A student's increased earning ability over four years may warrant a greater contribution from summer employment. Because upperclassmen are in a better position to borrow more, students usually are expected to take greater loans as they progress through college.
Are there special application instructions for divorced parents?
Federal and state regulations require that the custodial parent (and step-parent, if applicable) complete the application for federal and college financial aid. Macalester asks that the non-custodial parent complete the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Divorced/Separated Parents Form, which should be returned to Macalester.
How do I apply for financial aid as an independent student?
If you are considering filing for aid as an independent student, you must contact the Macalester Financial Aid Office before completing your financial aid application. All sources of financial aid at Macalester require students to be 24 years of age in order to be considered independent, with very few exceptions. Students entering Macalester as dependent will be treated in that manner by the college in succeeding years.
When will I receive a bill for tuition and fees?
Macalester bills twice a year, in July and December for the following term. Many families use a monthly payment plan. Information about the payment plan is included with the fall billing.
Additional questions may be sent to finaid@macalester.edu
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