Stanford | Financial Aid Office | Current Undergraduates

Frequently Asked Questions for Currently Enrolled Students

If you have further questions after reading the information below and reviewing the Financial Aid Handbook, please feel free to contact the Financial Aid Office.

Q. There have been changes in my parents' circumstances since filing the financial aid application. Can Stanford reduce the parent contribution based on this fact?

A. We want to be helpful, but we do not want to be unrealistic in regard to the University's ability to revise the financial aid award. In order for the FAO to consider revising your award, you and your parents should submit a Request for Revision.

Q. What if our family circumstances do not fit any of the reasons for a revision, but the parent or student contribution is too high for my family to meet?

A. If there are no changes in circumstances on which to base a revised financial aid award, you and your parents will need to consider your ability to pay based on your income, assets, and ability to borrow. A frequently used program is the Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS). It may also be possible for you (the student) to borrow through the Federal Stafford Loan Program to help meet the family contribution. Since this loan is sometimes considered as a resource to meet your demonstrated financial need, it may not be available to help reduce the family contribution. For those with partial or no Stafford loan included in their financial aid award, you may contact the Financial Aid Office to determine if you can secure this resource.

Q. I have student loan(s) included in my financial aid award. How do I apply for these funds?

A. Please refer to the Loan Processing section of this site.

Q. I am asking for a revision to my financial aid. Should I still apply for my loans now?

A. Yes, begin the processing of your loans now. Additional loan funds, if any, can be added later.

Q. What if my award has decreased significantly from last year?

A. Your award letter will include a brief explanation of the reason(s) for any major changes. The most common reasons for decreases in demonstrated need and, therefore, eligibility for aid are: an increase in the parent's income or assets, fewer family members in the household, fewer family members enrolled in college or graduate school.

Q. I have job eligibility as part of my financial aid award. Am I eligible for Federal Work Study or departmentally funded jobs?

A. Eligibility for Federal Work Study funds is indicated on your award notice. Your wages will be paid from Federal Work-Study funds. Review the Employment section of our website for detailed information about Federal Work Study. Students with "Academic Year Earnings Expectation" in their packages will be paid from the hiring department's own funds, not federal funds. Students eligible for either type of funding should use the Cardinal Careers job search website.

If you are on financial aid and are interested in working for pay at a nearby non-profit organization in the community, contact the Haas Center for Public Service at 723-0992. If you have any questions about student employment, contact the Career Development Center at 723-3963. If you have questions about the Federal Work Study program, email federalworkstudy@lists.stanford.edu

Q. What if the student contribution from income listed on my award notice is too high considering my summer circumstances?

A. After the autumn quarter begins, when you can provide figures for your actual summer income and expenses, you may submit a Student Contribution Revision Request after you arrive on campus. In most cases, the self-help (job/loan) portion of your award can be increased to cover the shortfall.

Q. I am attending a Stanford overseas center or the Stanford-in-Washington center during the upcoming academic year. Does my financial aid award cover the additional costs of attending this program?

A. An allowance has been added to your budget to acknowledge additional costs associated with attending an overseas or Washington program. All students receiving University scholarship funds are considered for an Overseas Grant and additional loan consideration to meet the increased expense.

Q. Have my outside scholarship funds been incorporated into my financial aid package?

A. All outside scholarship funds for the year will appear as a single total amount of "Expected Outside Awards" on your award letter. When funds arrive and are applied to your University bill, those funds will be changed to "Outside Awards Applied to Bill." If you have received new outside awards for the coming year or need to correct your award amount, please notify the FAO at financialaid@stanford.edu.

Q. What are good reference sources for taking care of my financial aid business?

A. Our website is an excellent source of information with links to other important sites. In AXESS you may view your unofficial information along with a list of requirements you must complete in order to receive your aid. Please note that your official award notification is available in .pdf format in Axess, under the Finances tab, select View Award Letters.

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