Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Prospective Parent and Student Financial Aid FAQs

1. Will I receive the same financial aid package each year I attend Duke?
2. What do I have to do to continue to receive financial aid each year?
3. I am a merit scholar, is it necessary to re-apply for the scholarship each year?
4. Will my chances of admission be diminished if I apply for aid?
5. When will I receive a response to my aid application?
6. Does applying for Early Decision (ED) hurt my chances of receiving adequate financial aid?
7. I received a better financial aid award from another university. Will Duke match the other school's award?
8. If I don't qualify for aid, can I reapply as an upper class student?
9. I'm expecting to receive outside scholarships from my high school or other sources outside of Duke. How will these affect my financial aid award from Duke?
10. I notice my award letter says that my financial aid is contingent on receipt of additional documentation and information such as my parents' Federal Tax Returns. Does this mean my financial aid award could change?
11. I want to apply for financial aid as a Regular Decision applicant, , but my parents cannot complete their Federal Tax Returns by your application deadline. What should I do?
12. My family's circumstances have changed dramatically since we filed the CSS PROFILE and the FAFSA. Can Duke take these changes into consideration?
13. Can my parents find out in advance if they will qualify for a parent loan?
14. My parents are divorced. What information does Duke require from my non-custodial parent?
15. My parents own a business or a farm. Does Duke require additional information from them?
16. What can I do if my parents are unable to meet the parent contribution?
17. How did you determine my expected student contribution?
18. How will the Undergraduate Financial Aid Office communicate with the student?
19. Can parents request that our communications with students also be sent to parents, or be directed to parents instead?
    

Current Student Aid FAQs

1. How will my financial aid award be affected if I live off-campus?
2. How would having a car on campus affect my financial aid?
3. I am interested in being a Resident Advisor (RA). How will this affect my financial aid?
4. I plan to study abroad next semester. How does this affect my financial aid?
5. Is there financial aid available for summer school and how do I apply?
6. Where should I mail outside scholarship checks?
   

Student Employee FAQs

1. What is Duke Work-Study?
2. What is Federal Work-Study?
3. How do students qualify for work-study?
4. Can I work at Duke in the summer?
5. Can I work if I am under 18?
6. Can students use their academic year work-study allocation during the summer?
7. Can students work more than one job?
8. Do I have to earn my entire work-study allocation?
9. How do I find a job if I do not have work-study?
10. How are jobs posted and reviewed?
11. What do I do if my work-study allocation changes?
12. What taxes are taken from my student earnings?
13. Does the Financial Aid Office find or select a work study job for me?