Financial Aid

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How can I speak with a staff member about my financial aid?
   A. The staff of the financial aid office remain accessible through email and phone (413-542-2296), as well as in-person events. We look forward to receiving your questions and speaking with you during the consideration of your enrollment decision.
   Admitted applicants can make an appointment to speak to a financial aid dean during the in-person Be A Mammoth days (April 10 and 18) or during virtual admitted student admission programming. These appointments can be scheduled through the Admission Status Portal.

2. How do I view my financial aid information?
   A. You may use our online Financial Aid Portal to review the status of your financial aid application (through the “Documents & Messages” link) and award (through the “Awards” link). Your secure Financial Aid Portal can be quickly accessed through a labeled button on your Admission Application Status Portal (newly admitted students) or at www.amherst.edu/go/faportal, using the same online credentials used to access your Application Status Portal. If you have any problems accessing your Financial Aid Portal or if you have any questions about your application or aid eligibility, please email us at finaid@amherst.edu.
   
   
3. When can I expect to receive the details of my financial aid if I have not already?
   A. We know how important it is to have your financial aid details in hand as you received the exciting news about admission! Our staff has been working tirelessly to review the financial aid details for over 80% of admitted applicants to Amherst. Not having a decision in hand is a reflection on the volume of our work and nothing problematic in the review of materials. Our approach is comprehensive and detail-oriented. We will send an email to the admitted student as soon as the details are available to be viewed on the Financial Aid Portal.
   
   
4. How does student employment work at Amherst?
   A. Student employment at Amherst College is open to all students regardless of financial aid eligibility. Approximately two-thirds of all students work on campus at some time during the academic year; students are responsible for finding their own jobs. To do this, you can view postings online (link above) after you have matriculated at Amhest. The major student employers include Dining Services, Frost Library, Mead Art Museum, Post Office, Campus Police, Athletic Department, Admission Office, Alumni Office, Music Library, and many academic offices.
   
   
5. How do I submit documentation for my financial aid file?
   A. After you submit your CSS Profile, you will be able to upload documentation via IDOC. International applicants should use the financial aid portal to upload income and tax documents, if applicable. More information for International students can be found at https://www.amherst.edu/offices/financialaid/international_students. 
   
   
6. My portal indicates that I am missing a student W-2 but I submitted a W-2 Substitute.
   A. If you listed wages on your aid application, we will need a copy of the 2020 W-2 issued to you by your employer. If you did not receive a W-2, please provide an explanation (paid in cash, etc.) via email at finaid@amherst.edu.
   
   
7. How do I apply for financial aid at Amherst College?
   A. Detailed instructions on applying for financial aid can be found on our webpage located at: https://www.amherst.edu/offices/financialaid/firstyear_transfer. Please choose the appropriate link on the left hand side of the page for more information.
   
   
8. How can I make corrections to my CSS Profile?
   A. We understand that the numbers on the Profile may be estimates; we will update them with your actual tax forms that you submit to our office. If you have major changes or corrections that are not found on your tax returns, you can update your application once by clicking “Correct Your CSS Profile” on your College Board Profile Dashboard.
   
   
9. What options exist to request reconsideration of the financial aid offered?
   A. You may ask us to review your financial aid award and the way we calculated your family contribution. Appeals must be submitted in writing. Because Amherst’s aid program is need-based, the appeal must provide us a basis for reconsidering your application that was not included in your initial aid application. For example, if your family’s 2021 circumstances have changed since the 2020 information was submitted, or you believe we’ve overlooked a particular situation, you should include this information in your letter. The letter (or financial aid appeal form) should address changes in circumstances, unusual expenses, special situations, or additional information not already presented in the financial aid application. The Financial Aid Appeal form is available in the “Forms and Helpful Links” section of the Office of Financial Aid website.
   
   
10. What options exist to request reconsideration for financial changes occurring in 2022?
    A. If your family’s financial situation has been impacted by Covid-19, you have the option of requesting review in January 2023 when you can provide a more complete picture of your calendar year 2022 finances. Your award is currently based on family income for 2020. If it is determined that there has been a year-long sustained decrease in income, any grant aid adjustment will include a full year of eligibility (the spring 2023 semester, as well as retroactively to include the fall 2022 semester).

The Office of Financial Aid is open in B-5 Converse Hall. Please feel free to be in touch with us by:

> Stopping in the office and saying hello,
> Phone at 413-542-2296 where a staff member will answer your call during business hours,
> Email us and we will reply to you as soon as possible,
> Current students can schedule an appointment to speak with a dean,

We are excited to see you and to assist you with your financial aid needs and questions.

If you have indicated an intention to apply for financial aid, the Office of Financial Aid will create a secure, personalized Financial Aid Portal (FAP) that will allow you to monitor the status of your financial aid application.

First year and Transfer aid applicants will receive an email with instructions to access your portal after your admission application is processed. You will access the Financial Aid Portal using the same username and password that you use to access your Admission Application Status Portal.

 If you never set up your user credentials or have forgotten your password, steps to access instructions are here.

Current students can check the status of their financial aid application, view award information and important messages through our online financial aid portal.