Need help paying for college? Follow the steps below to apply for financial aid.

YOUR FINANCIAL AID CHECKLIST

FIRST STEPS (October - January)

1. Apply for Admission if you are not already an enrolled student. Get started at https://www.guilford.edu/media/25211

2. Obtain your FSA ID. FSA ID’s for students and parents are used to complete the FAFSA and consent to transferring your IRS Tax information into the application. They are also needed to sign a promissory note for Federal Direct Loans.

3. Complete your FAFSA — every year at https://studentaid.gov/.

A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required each year to be considered for federal and state aid. The FAFSA will become available on October 1 each year and use federal tax information from 2 years prior to the start of the academic year (e.g. for the 2026-27 academic year you will need your 2024 tax data).

Guilford College’s priority date for filing the FAFSA is January 5.

4. North Carolina residents should complete a residency determination to review eligibility for the NC Need Based Scholarship (NCNBS). These funds are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis and use FAFSA information to determine eligibility. The earlier you file your FAFSA, the better your chances of obtaining the maximum aid available to you.

5. Search and apply for outside/private scholarships. Check out our website for additional external fund sources. Scholarship Universe is a repository of over 17,000 external scholarships and is a great place to begin! Use your single sign on credentials at guilford.scholarshipuniverse.com.

6. Once students are accepted for admission and we have a completed, valid FAFSA on file, award letters will be mailed to the student home address. Students who deposit will also gain access to BannerWeb to review their aid. Continuing students will receive their first award letter by mail at their home address and any changes will be visible on BannerWeb.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION (December - August)

7. VERIFICATION

The Department of Education or Guilford College may select any student’s FAFSA for a process called Verification. Selected students are required to complete a Verification Worksheet as well as providing selected documentation if needed. If this is required you will receive an email with the necessary documents. Upon completion, your financial aid counselor will review and let you know if there is any further action required on your part.

8. Other documents may be required such as citizenship verification, marriage licenses, or other documents to validate FAFSA information. Your financial aid office will let you know.

YOU’RE ALMOST HOME! (May - September)

9. Accept your student loans, if you are using them.

  • Sign into Banner Web.
  • Click the Financial Aid tab.
  • Go to Award.
  • Go to Award for Aid Year and select 2026-27.
  • Click on Accept Award Offer tab.
  • Click Accept All Offered Amounts or indicate the amount you would like to borrow in the available text box.

10. Complete Entrance Counseling.

  • Log on to studentaid.gov.
  • Select Grants and Loans
  • Select Loan Entrance Counseling.
  • Select Start Next to I am an Undergraduate Student
  • Follow the on-screen instructions.

11. Complete Federal Direct Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note.

  • Log on to studentaid.gov.
  • Select Grants and Loans
  • Select Master Promissory Note
  • Select Start Next to I’m an Undergraduate Student
  • Follow the on-screen instructions.

12. North Carolina Need Based Scholarship (NCNBS)

13. Do you still have a balance? Consider your options:  

  • Parent Plus Loan
    • studentaid.gov
    • Also requires completing Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling online
  • ELMSelect provide you the opportunity to compare and apply for private educational loans.
  • Guilford College Payment Plan: Contact the Office of Student Accounts for more information. This is the office that handles all inquiries regarding billing, invoices, payment plans, and the TouchNet system. They can be reached at 336.316.2354 or studentaccounts@guilford.edu.

14. Federal Work Study: Please note that even if you have Federal Work Study as part of your Financial Aid package, it is not guaranteed. All proceeds from working are paid directly to you, not applied to your student account. For more information, click here.