Frequently Asked Questions

• 1. When is my financial aid file complete?

  "Complete" can mean different things at different times.

  Admitted Students

  If you decide to enroll, by May 5 you will need to submit tax and verification forms to the Office of Financial Aid. Also, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by May 1 at the latest. (Please be sure to utilize the "IRS Data Retrieval" option on the FAFSA.)

  If large income discrepancies exist between the tax returns and the information you reported on your CSS PROFILE, please be aware that your award eligibility may change.

  If you did not complete the CSS PROFILE by our deadline, you will be considered late and we cannot guarantee aid availability.

  See our online instructions to make sure you have completed everything on time.

  Note: We do not download FAFSA information into our system until the end of March, so we cannot check to see if we have received it until then.

  Current/returning Students

  If you are applying to renew your financial aid, please see the instructions on our website.

   

• 2. What is the verification process for first-year students and why do I have to submit tax return documentation for it?

  In our spring verification process, we review the figures on your tax returns, W-2 forms and verification forms to make sure that you are still eligible for the original aid package that we awarded to you. 

  Aid changes will result when the actual income from the tax return is substantially higher than what was reported on the CSS PROFILE, or if there is a decrease in the number of children enrolled at least half-time in undergraduate degree-seeking programs. In these cases, we will inform you as soon as possible and ask for any additional information that you may have.

  For returning students, we do the awarding and verification process at the same time, as we need tax return documents in order to determine aid eligibility.

   

• 3. What does it mean if I am selected for federal verification?

  After you complete the FAFSA, you may be notified by the Department of Education that your file was selected for a process called federal verification. 

  For Bucknell's verification process, we need copies of tax returns, W-2s and our verification form, but the Department of Education's verification process is a little different. You will need to use the "IRS Data Retrieval" option of the FAFSA so that your tax information will automatically fill in the appropriate FAFSA questions. If you do not use the "IRS Data Retrieval" process, then federal regulations may require you to order a "tax transcript" from the IRS, which could take time and delay timely disbursement of financial aid in the fall.

  We will inform you by email if you are selected for verification, and if so, we will tell you exactly what you need to do in order to complete the process.

   

• 4. Is financial aid guaranteed in future years?

  We cannot guarantee need-based aid for future years because your eligibility can change. 

  Our policy is to try to maintain your Bucknell Need-based Grant at the same level for each of your four years here, while adhering to institutional and federal financial aid policies and regulations regarding financial need. It is important to be aware that if your parents' income increases, or if the number of children in the household enrolled at least half-time in first undergraduate degree-seeking programs decreases, then your need-based grant will decrease.

  We will review your application materials and try to award as much aid as we can. Please know that we are unable to award additional funds to cover tuition increases from year to year. Merit awards will automatically be renewed each year, as long as students meet the specific requirements for each program.

   

• 5. May I request additional aid because of special circumstances?

  If you and your parents feel that your family has special financial circumstances, you and your parents may send a letter of appeal to the Office of Financial Aid. We only accept appeal letters from you and your parents, since you know the most about your own family's situation. Please clearly explain the situation in writing, including as many facts and figures as possible, and send the letter to the attention of the Director of Financial Aid.

  Your file will be reviewed, and a determination will be made to see if you may be eligible for additional assistance. This process can take a bit of time, especially if your situation is complicated or we need to ask you for additional information.

  Please be aware that Bucknell's financial aid resources are limited, and increases in Bucknell Need-based Grants are rare. In most cases, the only additional aid we can suggest will be loans.

  Finally, please note that we expect you to borrow the maximum in Federal Direct Loans (both subsidized and unsubsidized) for which you are eligible before you may be considered for additional aid from University sources.

   

• 6. How do I apply for aid if my parents are divorced?

  The student's custodial parent must complete the CSS PROFILE, including spousal financial data. 

  In addition, the non-custodial parent (and spouse) must complete the Bucknell University Non-Custodial Parent Form.

   

• 7. Is financial aid available for study abroad?

  Yes, we do offer need-based aid for qualified students who wish to study abroad. Bucknell University and the Office of Financial Aid are committed to making study abroad a reality for students who otherwise could not afford to participate.

  Read more

   

• 8. How does satisfactory academic progress work?

  Bucknell University students who receive federal financial aid are required to be in good academic standing and to be achieving satisfactory academic progress toward their degrees. (Please be aware that satisfactory progress for federal financial aid eligibility is separate from the University's academic progress policy.) The academic progress of financial aid recipients will be reviewed by the Office of Financial Aid at the end of each semester.

  Read more

   

• 9. What if I think I am “independent?”

  Important Topics Regarding Dependency Status:

  1. According to federal regulations, an unmarried undergraduate student under age 24 will be considered dependent unless you:

  • Are a veteran or on active duty for purposes other than training,
  • Are an orphan,
  • Are a ward of the court or in foster care,
  • Are an emancipated minor or in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of residence,
  • Have dependents of your own,
  • Are determined to be an unaccompanied youth who was homeless by your high school/director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by HUD/director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program.

  2. We are aware that certain serious circumstances can qualify for a dependency override. These can include the following:

  • An abusive family environment (e.g. sexual, physical, or mental abuse or other forms of domestic violence),
  • Abandonment by parents,
  • Incarceration or institutionalization of both parents,
  • Parents' whereabouts are unknown or parents cannot be located.

  In order for Bucknell to consider a dependency override for one of the above circumstances, we require detailed written explanatory statements from you as well as two adults (such as high school counselor, clergy) who have known you for several years and know the details of your situation well.

  3. Please be aware that Bucknell does not offer institutional aid to students who simply consider themselves to be independent but do not qualify for one of the above conditions. The Office of Financial Aid receives very few requests for independent status since the circumstances are so serious, and approval is rare.

  4. Circumstances that do not warrant a dependency status change include, but are not limited to:

  • Parents refuse to contribute to educational costs.
  • Parents are unwilling to provide information on the CSS Profile, FAFSA or for verification purposes.
  • Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes.
  • Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency.

   

• 10. May I receive financial aid for summer study?

  Summer aid is only available on the basis of demonstrated need through the Office of Financial Aid. To be eligible, you must be an undergraduate student receiving a Bucknell need-based grant for the immediately preceding fall/spring semesters. Bucknell merit aid is not offered in the summer.

  Read the full details here

   

• 11. Is financial assistance available for graduate study at Bucknell?

  Some graduate grant assistance is available. Contact the Office of Graduate Studies, 209 Marts Hall, Bucknell University, 570-577-1304, for more information.

  Graduate students may borrow up to $20,500 in unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan. Students may also be eligible for the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. For more information regarding graduate student loans, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.

   

• 12. When are bills available, and when are they due? How will my aid appear on them?

  If you enroll, you will find the exact due dates in B-bill, your Bucknell billing account accessible through your myBucknell login.

  Fall semester billing statements are made available by Bursar Services in mid-July, and fall semester payments will be due the first week in August.

  Spring semester bills are made available the first week in December, with payments due the first week in January.

  Scholarships or loans awarded by other agencies may be deducted from the billing statement amount and the balance paid to the University. Please be aware that if your financial aid file is not complete by the time you receive your first billing notice in July, any previously awarded financial aid may be rescinded, and it is possible that Bursar Services may charge late fees to your student account.

  Also, if you still owe a balance for the previous academic year, you will not receive financial aid for the upcoming year until your previous balance is paid. Bucknell charges a late fee of 1% of the unpaid balance at the end of each month for accounts with outstanding balances due to the non-receipt of scholarships or loans.

  If you have specific questions about your bill, you may contact Bursar Services at 570-577-3733 or bursar@bucknell.edu.

   

• 13. Where do I receive my 1098-T form for tax reporting purposes?

  Your 1098-T form may be found in your myBucknell account, or you may contact Bursar Services at 570-577-3733. 

   

• 14. How will I be informed if my financial aid package is revised?

  If we have revised your original financial aid package because of additional aid, outside scholarships, etc., we will email you at your Bucknell student email account with instructions to check Financial Aid Self Service for the changes. 

  Please be sure to share this information with your parents.

   

• 15. Does my parents’ income have to be at a certain level for me to be eligible for aid?

  Because so many variables (parent and student income, parent and student assets, number of family members in the household, number of children enrolled at least half-time in undergraduate degree-seeking programs) are included in the calculation of financial need, there is no specific income cutoff in the determination of financial aid eligibility.

   

• 16. Do I need to be enrolled full-time at Bucknell in order to receive aid?

  You must be enrolled full-time to be eligible for Bucknell grants and scholarships.

  For federal or state aid, you must be enrolled at least half-time.

   

• 17. Do I have to apply for aid every year?

  Yes. Because your eligibility can change from year to year, you will need to reapply for aid each year during your time at Bucknell. 

  Returning students must submit all documents by Feb. 15. (However, you will only need to complete the CSS PROFILE in the first year you are applying for financial aid.)

  You can expect a similar need-based aid package each of your four years at Bucknell if:

  • Your family's financial situation stays relatively the same (income, assets, number in the household, number of children in the household enrolled at least half-time in first undergraduate degree-seeking programs).
    • Be aware that one of the factors that affects need-based aid eligibility the most is this number in college. If this number decreases, your need-based grant will decrease as well, and we do not want for this to be a surprise to you in a future year. A decrease from two in college to one in college will result in your need-based grant decreasing significantly, but please understand that this amount can vary due to the many variables involved.
  • You continue to demonstrate financial need as determined by Bucknell's Office of Financial Aid.
  • You adhere to application deadlines.
  • You maintain satisfactory academic and social standing.

   

• 18. What happens to my financial aid if I withdraw from school?

  The timing of your withdrawal from the University may result in outstanding financial obligations. Until the withdrawal process is completed by the Registrar's Office, no refunds, if applicable, can be initiated.

  You can find the details of the University's Credit and Refund Policies, including guidance on the return of Federal Student Aid requirements published in the Finances and Financial Aid section of the University catalog. Questions regarding potential financial obligations and refunds should be directed to Bursar Services at 570-577-3733 or bursar@bucknell.edu.

  If you are a current financial aid recipient, please understand that if you withdraw before 60% of the semester has passed, federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to calculate the percentage of the semester you completed and determine whether we must return any of your federal financial aid to the federal government and/or Bucknell financial aid to the University.

  If a refund of federal aid is required, the order is the following:

  • Federal Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loans (other than PLUS loans)
  • Federal Subsidized Direct Stafford Loans
  • Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan
  • Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
  • Pell Grant
  • Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant for which a return of funds is required
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG) for which a return of funds is required
  • Federal Teach Grant for which a return of funds is required

  In addition, please be aware that federal loans that you have borrowed will go into repayment six months after you drop below half-time enrollment, unless you are in an approved leave of absence status as defined by the federal government for Title IV financial aid purposes.

  The federal Title IV leave of absence definition is more stringent than the Bucknell leave of absence definition, so they are not the same thing.

  In the vast majority of cases, Bucknell leave of absence does not qualify as a federal Title IV leave of absence, so your official status to the federal government must be reported as a withdrawal. If you will be returning to Bucknell after a voluntary withdrawal, health withdrawal, or leave of absence, please be aware that you must re-apply for financial aid each year. Although we cannot make any guarantees, if you are eligible, we will do our best to provide financial aid to you.

  Our deadline for returning students is Feb. 15, so please be sure to complete your financial aid file by this date. If you have questions as to what documentation is required, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.

   

• 19. Does Bucknell participate in the Yellow Ribbon program?

  Yes. The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher education in the United States to enter voluntarily into an agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to fund tuition expenses that exceed the VA cap for private schools. The Department of Veterans Affairs determines eligibility for benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill® including the Yellow Ribbon Program. Only individuals entitled to the 100% maximum benefit rate (based on service requirements) may receive Yellow Ribbon Program funding. Your Certificate of Eligibility will indicate whether you meet the requirements for the Yellow Ribbon Program. 

  (GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about educations benefirs offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill)

  If you are a prospective student interested in the Yellow Ribbon program at Bucknell, please be sure to submit your Certificate of Eligibility to the Office of Financial Aid no later than Jan. 15 of your senior year in high school. (This is the same date as our deadline for admissions and financial aid applications.)

  Bucknell's Yellow Ribbon contribution will be from institutional financial aid sources, including merit aid sources. For example, if we have previously awarded a $10,000 merit scholarship to you, this $10,000 is part of what we will use for the Bucknell Yellow Ribbon contribution. If the VA prorates their VA Yellow Ribbon match, we will prorate our amount as well. Federal Pell grants, state funding and/or outside grants may decrease Bucknell's contribution if the amount exceeds our tuition and student activity fee charges.

  Please be aware that you will be responsible for room and board costs. Typically, the VA will award a monthly stipend to assist with these expenses.

  Upon being selected to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program at Bucknell, you will remain eligible as long as Bucknell continues to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, you remain in good academic standing, and you still have remaining VA entitlement.

  If you have more questions about the Yellow Ribbon program at Bucknell, please contact the Office of Financial Aid for further information.

   

• 20. What happens if I apply for financial aid past the deadline?

  If you miss our filing deadline but wish to apply for financial aid late, you may still do so. However, it it is important to be aware that Bucknell Need-based Grant funds are limited. Therefore, it is possible that this funding will not be available if you should apply late.

  We will award federal aid in accordance with your eligibility. For prospective students, our financial aid application deadline is Nov. 15 for ED1 and Jan. 15 for ED2 and RD. These dates are during your senior year in high school.

  If you apply late, we will try to award what we can, but the funding will be limited. For returning students who have received Bucknell Need-based Grant aid in the previous year, our financial aid application deadline is Feb. 15. If you apply late, we will try to award what we can, but the funding will be limited. If you do not complete your financial aid file until after the deadline, please know that we will not be able to award the same amount of grant as in the previous year.

   

• 21. What happens to my aid if I receive an outside scholarship?

  Federal regulations and Bucknell policy stipulate that the total gift aid from any source (grants, scholarships, stipends, educational awards, tuition benefits, VA benefits and any other funding for educational expenses that is free money and not required to be repaid) cannot exceed Bucknell's cost of attendance. Included in our cost of attendance are tuition, a student activity fee, housing, a meal plan, and allowances for books, supplies and incidentals. If this cost is reached with total gift aid, Bucknell aid (need-based and/or merit-based) will be reduced dollar for dollar to prevent an award surplus. Based on actual determined financial need, federal/state/other aid may need to be adjusted as well.

  Read full details here

   

• 22. What happens if my package includes work-study but I feel that I will not have time to work?

  Some students feel that they need time to adjust to college life and their studies. If this is the case, then you are not obligated to work. We can assist you by suggesting additional loan programs; however, additional need-based grant will not be awarded to replace any work-study funds that you may decline.

   

• 23. Does Bucknell admit and provide financial aid to undocumented students?

  Bucknell is currently not "need-blind" for international and undocumented students. A family's financial contribution toward a student's educational costs at Bucknell is part of the admissions review process, along with the other factors such as academic achievement, standardized test scores, leadership and service, unique perspectives and character qualities, special talents and geographic background. 

  Undocumented students who wish to apply for financial aid, must complete the following process:

  1. If you have a valid social security number, complete the most current FAFSA application at fafsa.gov. If you do not have a valid social security number, move to step 2.
  2. Complete the most current College Board CSS Profile at collegeboard.org (make sure you complete the domestic version of the CSS Profile. If you are DACA eligible, please indicate that in the “notes” section of the CSS Profile.
  3. If your parents have filed a U.S. federal tax return, please upload that document (including all schedules and W-2s).

   

• 24. How do I accept/decline any aid that was awarded to me?

  If you are accepted to Bucknell, we assume that you will accept any need-based aid. (See your admit letter for how to accept merit scholarships.) If you would like to decline work-study, please email the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@bucknell.edu. You will be required to actively accept or decline the loan(s) on myBucknell.

   

• 25. Is it possible to be awarded a merit scholarship after the first year?

  No. Our merit scholarships are only awarded at the time of admission.

   

• 26. How do named or endowed funds work?

  If you are selected to receive a named endowed or annual fund, please be aware that it will fund a portion of the Bucknell aid that you have already been awarded. Endowed funds are not in addition to previously awarded funds.

  Scholarships that are listed in the Bucknell catalog are predominantly need-based awards that were established by donors for special philanthropic purposes.

  Your completion of the online Student Disclosure Survey will help us to award these named funds appropriately. Complete this form in myBucknell.

  Recipients have an opportunity to meet donors or representatives of named endowed or annual funds at Bucknell's annual Scholarship Day celebration during the spring semester. You may receive notification from the office of Donor & Volunteer Relations asking you to send a thank-you note to a donor. We strongly suggest you do this, as it will let the donor know how much you appreciate their generosity.