Renewing Financial Aid
2023-2024 Renewal of Financial Aid
Students wishing to apply for financial aid for the 2023-24 academic year may do so regardless of whether a student is currently receiving assistance from the college. Tax and W-2 information for 2021 should also be submitted via IDOC.
The 2023-24 application for renewal of financial aid due date is March 1, 2023.
All applications for aid must be received by the end of registration for the spring semester.
To apply for assistance from Amherst College for 2023-2024, students are expected to submit the following materials:
Amherst Application for Renewal of Financial Aid
Complete and submit the Amherst Application for Renewal of Financial Aid on-line. Please proceed to amherst.edu/go/faportal, and from the menu, select Apply On-Line to complete the renewal application. The same form is used by first-time applicants who will be in the upper three classes who are not currently receiving financial aid.
CSS/Financial Aid Profile for 2023-2024
Complete the CSS Profile with the College Scholarship Service (CSS) of The College Board and designate Amherst College to receive information. Amherst’s CSS code number is 3003.
Information about CSS Profile fee waivers can be found here.
If your parents are separated or divorced, both of the student's biological/adoptive parent(s) will complete their own CSS Profile. Each parent will access the CSS Profile with different log-in credentials. The non-custodial parent will need to create a College Board account before providing their information. It's highly recommended that the student and custodial parent start the CSS Profile first, as the non-custodial can't submit information until the student selects a school that requires the submission of non-custodial parent information.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2023-24
If you are a citizen, national, or permanent resident of the United States, its territories, or associated states (Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau), you must complete the FAFSA to be considered for federal financial aid. The FAFSA may be completed on-line. After you submit the FAFSA, the federal government will send you a Student Aid Report (SAR) with information about your eligibility for federal aid. Amherst’s FAFSA code number is 002115. All federal aid eligibility is determined by the results of your FAFSA.
Federal FSA ID
You and, if you are dependent, one of your parents must use an FSA ID to sign the FAFSA electronically. Each person must have a separate FSA ID. You may create an FSA ID on-line. You may also use your FSA ID to access federal financial aid records, to make revisions or corrections to the FAFSA, and to view and sign loan records if you borrow a federal student loan.
Two-step verification, a form of multi-factor authentication (MFA), helps protect your StudentAid.gov account. Each time you log in, you’ll be asked to provide a one-time code that is delivered to you via email, text message, or an authenticator app.
Data retrieval Tool to Access IRS Information
We strongly encourage you, when completing the FAFSA, to use the Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to bring information from your income tax return directly from the Internal Revenue Service to the FAFSA.
During completion of your FAFSA online you will be given the opportunity to link to the DRT:
- Enter your FSA ID and click ‘Link To IRS’ from the Parent Financial Information page. You may do the same from the Student Financial Information page. You will not be asked to enter your FSA ID if you entered one to begin your FAFSA.
- Your FAFSA will be saved and you will be transferred to the IRS Web site.
- On the IRS Web site, enter the requested information.
- For your protection, tax information is not displayed on the FAFSA. Questions populated with tax information will be marked “Transferred from the IRS.”
- If you transfer your IRS tax information, you should expect an email confirming that your tax information was accessed.
Using the DRT may decrease requests for additional documentation.
The DRT cannot be used by someone who is married and filing as “head of household”; by those filing as “married, filing separately”; by parents with a marital status of “unmarried and both legal parents living together”; or a resident of Puerto Rico or the associated states.
Canadian and other international students do not complete the FAFSA.
Income Documentation for 2021
Students Who Are Citizens, Permanent Residents of, or Reside in the United States
Submit income documentation through The College Board’s Institutional Documentation (IDOC) service. After you submit the CSS Profile, you will receive information from the College Board on behalf of Amherst College about submitting 2021 tax documents through the IDOC service.
Students Residing in the United States or Its Territories
Submit copies of all 2021 federal personal, corporate, and partnership tax returns, W-2 and 1099 forms, and federal verification forms associated with applying for financial aid. Please do not submit state tax returns.
Divorced or Separated Parents
If your parents are separated or divorced, both of the student's biological/adoptive parent(s) will complete their own CSS Profile. Each parent will access the CSS Profile with different log-in credentials. The non-custodial parent will need to create a College Board account before providing their information. It's highly recommended that the student and custodial parent start the CSS Profile first, as the non-custodial can't submit information until the student selects a school that requires the submission of non-custodial parent information.
The documents submitted through IDOC may include:
- A signed and dated copy of all pages of your 2021 income tax return (IRS Form 1040). You should also submit a copy of your 2021 Form(s) W-2 (or other wage statements), as appropriate, regardless of whether you filed or did not file an income tax return. Copies of Form(s) 1099 should also be submitted.
- A signed and dated copy of all pages of your parents’ 2021 income tax return(s) (IRS Form 1040), if you are dependent on your parents. Include a copy of your parents’ 2021 Form(s) W-2 (or other wage statements), regardless of whether an income tax return was or was not filed. Copies of Form(s) 1099 should also be submitted.
- If your parents own an interest in a business corporation, submit a copy of the 2021 corporate return (IRS Form 1120, 1120A, 1120-S, and/or Schedule K-1). If your parents have income from a partnership, submit a copy of the 2021 partnership return and/or a copy of the statement of partner’s share of income (IRS Form 1065 and/or Schedule K-1).
- If you or your parents did not and will not file a 2021 income tax return, submit the Non-Tax Filer Statement. Copies of any earnings statements (such as W-2 or 1099 forms) should still be submitted to IDOC.
U.S. Department of Education rules stipulate that you cannot receive federal student financial aid unless proper tax forms have been filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Because of the parity of treatment of all aid applicants, these rules also apply to institutional aid as well. For further information, see “Tax Filing Requirements and Proper Filing Status” on our website, under “Forms & Helpful Links."
Students Residing in Canada
Submit signed and dated copies of your and, if you are a dependent student, your parents’ 2021 Canadian federal income tax return(s), including T-4 forms directly to the Office of Financial Aid. If no return will be filed, submit the appropriate Non-Tax Filer Statement. Copies of any earnings statements (T-4 forms) should be included with the statement.
If you or your parents own an interest in a business or farm, submit copies of appropriate income tax returns for each business or farm.
International Students Residing Outside of the United States, Its Territories, or Canada.
International renewal applicants should upload original 2021 documentation of income and taxes paid/withheld for your parents, and employer-provided documentation of 2021 income and benefits to the Financial Aid Portal. Applicants from China should submit a Salary Certificate issued by the parents’ employer. Student income/tax documentation should be scanned and emailed or faxed (more secure) to the office.
All electronic documentation must be sent in .pdf format (images are not acceptable). All documentation should be in original foreign currency and your home language. All documentation and notations must be translated into English (it does not need to be a paid translation service; your own translation is sufficient).
Digital signatures are not accepted; original signatures are required on all forms.
If you or, if you are dependent, your parents own an interest in a business or farm, complete and submit an “International Business/Farm Supplement” for 2023-24 for each business or farm. Also submit copies of the most recent appropriate business income tax returns, if applicable, or other documentation of business or farm income and expenses and business or farm value and indebtedness.
State Scholarship or Grant Application
If appropriate, aid applicants who are residents of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont may be eligible for state scholarships or grants and are required to apply for them. In some instances, filing a FAFSA is all that is necessary to apply for a state scholarship or grant. Applicants should observe the specific application procedures and deadlines established by the various state agencies.
“Outside” Scholarships or Tuition Benefits
Amherst allows outside scholarships and employer benefits to replace self-help (work), rather than scholarship, in a financial aid award. Outside scholarships, grants, or employer benefits in excess of self-help/work reduce Amherst College Scholarship, but contact our office if your outside scholarship exceeds the work portion of your financial aid award. We can offer you suggestions to work with your scholarship sponsor to maximize the benefit of your outside scholarship. An outside scholarship or employer benefit cannot be used to replace the expected family contribution. Aid applicants who receive outside scholarships or tuition benefits are reminded that the Office of Financial Aid must be informed of any such awards, regardless of amount or source.
IF YOU WILL BE SEEKING ONLY U.S. FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID, such as a Federal Direct Stafford Loan or Federal Direct PLUS (parent) Loan, please submit the following:
- Free Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2023-24, which may be completed on-line. Amherst’s FAFSA code number is 002115.
If you have questions about financial aid at Amherst or the procedure for applying, please contact the Office of Financial Aid, B-5 Converse Hall – (413) 542-2296 by phone from off-campus, or extension 2781 from an on campus phone.
This page was last updated on May 9, 2023.