Financial Aid Office at Duke University: A Comprehensive Guide How to Apply for Financial Aid What Happens After You Apply Tips for Getting Financial Aid Why Financial Aid Matters How Financial Aid Benefits Students Common Mistakes to Avoid Effective Strategies Tables

Duke University is consistently ranked among the top universities in the United States, and its financial aid office is one of the most generous in the country. In 2021-22, Duke awarded over $150 million in financial aid to undergraduates, with an average award of over $42,000.

The financial aid office at Duke is committed to helping students and families finance their education. The office offers a variety of financial aid programs, including:

• Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded to students based on academic merit, financial need, or other criteria. Duke offers a variety of scholarships, including the A.B. Duke Scholarship, the Benjamin N. Duke Scholarship, and the Robertson Scholars Program.
• Grants: Grants are awarded to students based on financial need. Duke offers a variety of grants, including the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), and the Duke University Grant.
• Loans: Loans are borrowed money that students must repay after they graduate. Duke offers a variety of loans, including the Federal Direct Stafford Loan, the Federal Direct PLUS Loan, and the Duke University Alternative Loan.

To apply for financial aid at Duke, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is a form that collects information about your family’s income and assets. The FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for federal and state financial aid programs.

You can apply for financial aid at Duke by completing the FAFSA online or by mailing a paper FAFSA to the following address:

Duke University Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Box 90586
Durham, NC 27708-0586

The FAFSA deadline for the 2023-24 academic year is March 15, 2023.

Once you have submitted your FAFSA, the financial aid office will review your application and determine your eligibility for financial aid. The financial aid office will send you a financial aid award letter that outlines the types and amounts of financial aid you have been awarded.

If you have any questions about your financial aid award, you can contact the financial aid office by phone at (919) 684-3111 or by email at [email protected].

Here are some tips for getting financial aid at Duke:

• Apply for financial aid as early as possible. The FAFSA deadline for the 2023-24 academic year is March 15, 2023, but it is recommended that you apply as early as possible. The earlier you apply, the more time the financial aid office will have to review your application and determine your eligibility for financial aid.
• Complete the FAFSA accurately and completely. The FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for federal and state financial aid programs. It is important to complete the FAFSA accurately and completely to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of financial aid for which you are eligible.
• Submit all required documentation. The financial aid office may require you to submit additional documentation, such as tax returns or proof of income. It is important to submit all required documentation promptly to avoid delays in the processing of your financial aid application.
• Contact the financial aid office if you have any questions. The financial aid office is here to help you. If you have any questions about the financial aid process, please do not hesitate to contact the office by phone at (919) 684-3111 or by email at [email protected].

Financial aid can make a significant difference in your ability to attend Duke University. Without financial aid, many students would not be able to afford the cost of tuition, fees, and other expenses.

Financial aid can also help you to succeed in college. Students who receive financial aid are more likely to persist in their studies and complete their degrees. Financial aid can also help you to reduce your student loan debt and make it easier to pay for your education.

Financial aid can benefit students in a number of ways, including:

• Making college more affordable: Financial aid can help to make college more affordable by reducing the cost of tuition, fees, and other expenses. This can make it possible for students to attend the college of their choice without having to take on excessive debt.
• Increasing access to higher education: Financial aid can increase access to higher education by making it possible for students from all socioeconomic backgrounds to attend college. This can help to level the playing field and ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed in college.
• Improving student outcomes: Financial aid can help to improve student outcomes by reducing stress and anxiety about paying for college. This can allow students to focus on their studies and achieve their academic goals. Financial aid can also help students to graduate with less debt, which can make it easier to find a job and start a career.

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when applying for financial aid:

• Not completing the FAFSA. The FAFSA is the most important step in the financial aid process. If you do not complete the FAFSA, you will not be eligible for any federal or state financial aid.
• Submitting the FAFSA late. The FAFSA deadline for the 2023-24 academic year is March 15, 2023. If you submit the FAFSA late, you may miss out on some financial aid opportunities.
• Not completing the FAFSA accurately and completely. The FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for financial aid. It is important to complete the FAFSA accurately and completely to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of financial aid for which you are eligible.
• Not submitting all required documentation. The financial aid office may require you to submit additional documentation, such as tax returns or proof of income. It is important to submit all required documentation promptly to avoid delays in the processing of your financial aid application.
• Not contacting the financial aid office if you have any questions. The financial aid office is here to help you. If you have any questions about the financial aid process, please do not hesitate to contact the office by phone at (919) 684-3111 or by email at [email protected].

Here are some effective strategies for getting financial aid at Duke:

• Apply for financial aid as early as possible. The FAFSA deadline for the 2023-24 academic year is March 15, 2023, but it is recommended that you apply as early as possible. The earlier you apply, the more time the financial aid office will have to review your application and determine your eligibility for financial aid.
• Complete the FAFSA accurately and completely. The FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for federal and state financial aid programs. It is important to complete the FAFSA accurately and completely to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of financial aid for which you are eligible.
• Submit all required documentation. The financial aid office may require you to submit additional documentation, such as tax returns or proof of income. It is important to submit all required documentation promptly to avoid delays in the processing of your financial aid application.
• Contact the financial aid office if you have any questions. The financial aid office is here to help you. If you have any questions about the financial aid process, please do not hesitate to contact the office by phone at (919) 684-3111 or by email at [email protected].
• Be persistent. The financial aid process can be complex and time-consuming. It is important to be persistent and to follow up with the financial aid office if you have any questions or concerns.

Table 1: Types of Financial Aid

Table 2: Federal Financial Aid Programs

Table 3: State Financial Aid Programs

Table 4: Duke University Financial Aid Programs