Undergraduate Financial Aid Timeline

If you are expecting aid that is not listed on your semester bill, the checklist below will help you determine what you need to do to finalize your aid. Don't forget to also confirm your attendance on BearWeb by July 31 for fall and check the SFS Calendar for the spring due date in December.

1) Complete the FAFSA - Starting October 1

The FAFSA opens annually on October 1. The priority date for Early Decision and Early Action applicants is November 1. The priority date for Regular Admission applicants, Transfer applicants and current Baylor students is February 1.

2) Incoming students ONLY - Complete the CSS Profile - Starting October 1 

To be considered for university need-based grants and scholarships, complete the CSS Profile as early as possible. The CSS Profile opens annually on October 1. The priority date for Early Decision and Early Action applicants is November 1. The priority date for Regular Admission applicants and Transfer applicants is February 1. 

3) Accept your awards

If you have not accepted your awards, the awards cannot be deducted from your bill. Accept your awards in BearWeb, please note that some awards will require additional steps.

4) Register for classes

If you have not registered for all of your classes, you may not be registered for enough hours to be eligible for the awards you were originally offered. Once you add additional hours, your aid will disburse. If you have decided to enroll in fewer hours than previously indicated, your financial aid awards may have to be reduced. Contact our office at the email address below if you will take fewer hours than previously indicated.

5) Secure your Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan(s)

• New Student Borrowers - Complete by June 1

  This process includes three easy steps.

  1) Accept the loan(s). This can be done in BearWeb.

  2) Complete Entrance Counseling at studentloans.gov.

  You will need your FSA ID (username and password) to log in. Make sure you complete and submit entrance counseling. A page congratulating you on finishing the process will appear when you have actually completed your counseling session.

  3) Complete and electronically sign the Master Promissory Note (MPN) at studentloans.gov.

  You will need your FSA ID (username and password) to log in for this step also.

• Returning Student Borrowers (those where a Direct Subsidized/ Unsubsidized Loan was paid to your student account in a prior term)

  1) Accept the loan(s) in BearWeb.

6) Send us your Required Documents 

If notified to send verification or conflicting information documents, please send as soon as possible after notification.  For students starting in the fall semester, we strongly recommend sending your documents no later than May 1 to ensure all requirements are satisfied prior to financial settlement date.  Your financial aid will not be reflected on your bill unless you have completed all requirements with our office. Check BearWeb for your financial aid status.

7) Apply for an Alternative or Direct PLUS Loan 

If you plan to apply for an Alternative Loan, or your parent intends to apply for a Direct PLUS Loan, visit the Alternative Loan page or the Direct Plus page for more information.  We strongly recommend applying for any alternative or PLUS loans by June 1 to allow for lenders to review applications for approval, and fund the loans by settlement date.  

If you have questions about any of the above processes, or you do not understand why aid you were expecting is not on your bill, please email us at financial_aid@baylor.edu. A counselor will respond to your question and direct you as to your next steps.