How to Apply for Financial Aid

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The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is Guilford College’s official application for need-based financial aid including federal grants, low-interest loans, and federal work-study opportunities. Information from your admission application is used to award merit-based aid.

Every student is encouraged to complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov.  Guilford College uses the FAFSA results to award all forms of financial aid.

Please note the following:

  • Guilford’s Federal School Code is 002931.
  • The FAFSA is available every year beginning October 1. You can save time by using the data-retrieval tool to transfer tax information directly from the IRS. Check out this video content from the U.S. Department of Education — How to Fill Out the FAFSA.
  • Guilford’s priority date for filing the FAFSA is February 15 of every year, but you should apply early to improve your chances for getting the maximum federal aid for which you are eligible.

Guilford’s financial aid counselors are eager to help. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 336.316.2354.

Photo of the front of Guilford College's New Garden Hall and Office of Admission
Contact the Financial Aid Team

Students are assigned to counselors by the first letter of their last name. You can also visit the Financial Aid Office in the lower level of New Garden Hall, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 336.316.2354 to make an appointment.

Two students sit on the steps of King Hall.
Your Financial Aid Checklist

Do you need help paying for college but aren't sure where to start? Check out the Financial Aid Checklist, which gives you step by step instructions on how to apply for financial aid.

File Today, Don't Delay!

Guilford uses the FAFSA to help award scholarships, grants, and work study opportunities. Did you know that 100% of Guilford students who file the FAFSA receive additional aid? File now to maximize your rewards at FAFSA.gov. Include Guilford’s school code of 002931.

Filing Your FAFSA

The 2023-24 FAFSA Opens October 1

Students apply for aid by submitting their FAFSA each year. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2023-24 academic year opens Oct. 1 at fafsa.gov. The aid application process is annual, and students must reapply for financial aid each year. Students should submit the 2023-24 FAFSA if they will be enrolled for the fall 2023 and/or spring 2024 semesters. Guilford's School Code is 002931.

Applying for Aid

Guilford College has a priority FAFSA filing deadline of February 15 of every year! However, due to the high number of FAFSA applications received, grant funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis; therefore, it is important to submit the FAFSA and any other requested information as soon as possible. Students may be required to submit information in addition to the FAFSA. This additional documentation, if required, must be submitted in order to be considered for financial aid. The FAFSA and additional documents should be submitted as early as possible in order to optimize aid eligibility.

Tax Data

The 2023-24 FAFSA requires 2021 tax and income data. The most reliable way to complete the FAFSA with accurate tax information is by using the online IRS Data Retrieval Tool within the FAFSA application. As an added security measure, when linking to the IRS website from the FAFSA website, applicants will not be able to see the tax data on the DRT web page, nor will it be visible on the FAFSA website when transferred into the FAFSA form.

Verification

The Department of Education or Guilford College may select any student's FAFSA for a process called verification. About one-third of students are selected to complete the verification process. Students who are selected are required to complete an online worksheet along with additional documentation. If you are selected, you will receive an email with a link to our verification portal. You will need to set up an account that will allow you to complete the verification process. Our verification link is at guilford.verifymyfafsa.com.