How to Apply for Aid

You first want to complete the CSS PROFILE to apply for Babson’s need-based grants and scholarships. Babson’s CSS PROFILE deadline is November 15 for Early Decision and Early Action candidates and February 1 for Regular Decision candidates (full deadlines for incoming students are below).

Here are things to keep in mind when filling it out:

• Be sure to include Babson College (#3075) on your list of schools.
• For students whose parents are self-employed or own a business or farm: You will be asked about the income, expenses, assets, and liabilities of your business. After submitting the CSS PROFILE, please upload a copy of the most recent year’s business tax return to the College Board’s Image and Documentation Service (IDOC). Step 4 has further information.  

For students whose parents are separated or divorced: You and your custodial parent (referred to as “Household A”) should complete the CSS PROFILE. Under “Additional Parent Application,” please provide an email address for your noncustodial parent (referred to as “Household B”), and the College Board will forward information on how your noncustodial parent should complete his/her section of the CSS PROFILE. If you already have submitted the CSS PROFILE and need to add another parent, you also can add this information on the applicant’s dashboard. Babson College believes that the primary responsibility for paying for college lies with the student and family. In the case of divorced or separated parents, we expect each parent to complete the CSS PROFILE. However, if there are extenuating circumstances related to your family, you may submit a CSS Profile Waiver Request for the Noncustodial Parent. Submission of the waiver request doesn’t guarantee it will be approved.  Review the instructions on page one and upload the waiver and any supporting documentation to the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC). Upon receipt, we will review the information provided and follow up with you via email.

Note: Applicants for Early Decision I and Early Action should submit the 25-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as it is available.  We anticipate it will be available as of 12/1. In the interim, we will use the 25-26 CSS PROFILE data to estimate any eligibility for federal funds. 

After your CSS Profile is all set, you want to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov. Citizens and permanent residents of the U.S. must complete the FAFSA to apply for federal aid. 

What you need to know about the FAFSA:

• Be sure to list Babson College (#002121).

You must create a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID), made up of a username and password. Your FSA ID identifies you as someone who has the right to access your personal information on the Department of Education websites, such as the FAFSA and Federal Student Aid sites. Parents of dependent students also will need to create their own FSA IDs in order to electronically sign the FAFSA. Find more information about the FSA ID at studentaid.ed.gov​.

We offer a number of merit- and need-based scholarships at Babson. Review the list of scholarships at Babson that have additional application requirements and decide if you wish to apply. The scholarships with additional requirements will have their own pages with application instructions.

You also will want to research and apply for scholarships outside of Babson (both local and national options are available to a variety of students).

In order to finalize your financial aid package, you will need to upload all verification documents to the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC) no later than April 1. Access to IDOC will be provided to you by the College Board based on receipt of your PROFILE application. For issues or assistance with IDOC, please contact the College Board at 866-897-9881. 

Here are the documents you need to upload:

• 2023 Signed Parent Federal Tax Return and schedules
• 2023 Parent W-2s or 1099 forms
• 2023 Signed Student Federal Tax Return and schedules
• 2023 Student W-2s or 1099 forms
• 2025-26 Verification Statement - Dependent Student (It’s available for download from the College Board)