How to Apply

• Step 1: Submit the online 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (enter the Extension School federal code, E00209, in the school section of the FAFSA). Please allow 3-5 business days for processing before proceeding to Step 2.​
  • Please note: parental information with electronic signature is required for dependent students
  • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students only: if you do not have a valid Social Security Number, please contact Student Financial Services at StudentFinance@Extension.Harvard.edu for further guidance.
• Step 2: Review your Financial Aid Portal for any outstanding requirements. From MyDCE, choose the “hamburger” menu in the top right corner and follow the prompts to enter the Financial Aid Portal.
  • You may be required to verify information you provided on your financial aid application by submitting additional supporting documentation (for example, proof of citizenship or verification worksheet) before your application is considered complete. For this reason, you are encouraged to apply before the priority deadline.
  • You may view your application status in the Financial Aid Portal at any time. Student Financial Services will contact you if additional documentation is required.
• Step 3: Submit the optional Application for Institutional Aid in the Financial Aid Portal

  Submitting the institutional application by the priority deadline allows you to:

  • Be considered for institutional aid
  • Provide enrollment and housing information to ensure a more accurate aid review

The priority application deadline for the summer term is March 1, 2025.

If you submit your completed application after a priority deadline, we will determine your eligibility for federal loans and grants on a rolling basis.

Requested documentation must be received by Student Financial Services no later than 30 days prior to the last day of a term. If documentation is not received by this deadline, financial aid funds may not be awarded for that term.

You should receive your financial aid notification within four to six weeks from the priority deadline, or the date when the application is completed, whichever is later.

• Step 1: Submit the online 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (enter the Extension School federal code, E00209, in the school section of the FAFSA). Please allow 3-5 business days for processing before proceeding to Step 2.​
  • Please note: parental information with electronic signature is required for dependent students
  • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students only: if you do not have a valid Social Security Number, please contact Student Financial Services at StudentFinance@Extension.Harvard.edu for further guidance.
• Step 2: Review your Financial Aid Portal for any outstanding requirements. From MyDCE, choose the “hamburger” menu in the top right corner and follow the prompts to enter the Financial Aid Portal.
  • You may be required to verify information you provided on your financial aid application by submitting additional supporting documentation (for example, proof of citizenship or verification worksheet) before your application is considered complete. For this reason, you are encouraged to apply before the priority deadline.
  • You may view your application status in the Financial Aid Portal at any time. Student Financial Services will contact you if additional documentation is required.

Priority deadlines
Submit your financial aid application by the priority deadline to be notified of your financial aid eligibility prior to the payment deadline for the term

• June 1 for the fall term
• November 1 for the spring term

If you submit your completed application after a priority deadline, we will determine your eligibility for federal loans and grants on a rolling basis.

Requested documentation must be received by Student Financial Services no later than 30 days prior to the last day of a term. If documentation is not received by this deadline, financial aid funds may not be awarded for that term.

You should receive your financial aid notification within four to six weeks from the priority deadline, or the date when the application is completed, whichever is later.

• Step 1: Submit the online 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (enter the Extension School federal code, E00209, in the school section of the FAFSA). Please allow 3-5 business days for processing before proceeding to Step 2.​
  • Please note: parental information with electronic signature is required for dependent students
  • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students only: if you do not have a valid Social Security Number, please contact Student Financial Services at StudentFinance@Extension.Harvard.edu for further guidance.
• Step 2: Review your Financial Aid Portal for any outstanding requirements. From MyDCE, choose the “hamburger” menu in the top right corner and follow the prompts to enter the Financial Aid Portal.
  • You may be required to verify information you provided on your financial aid application by submitting additional supporting documentation (for example, proof of citizenship or verification worksheet) before your application is considered complete. For this reason, you are encouraged to apply before the priority deadline.
  • You may view your application status in the Financial Aid Portal at any time. Student Financial Services will contact you if additional documentation is required.
• Step 3: Submit the optional  Application for Institutional Aid in the Financial Aid Portal.
  • Submitting the institutional application by the priority deadline allows you to:
    • Be considered for institutional aid
    • Provide enrollment and housing information to ensure a more accurate aid review

Priority deadlines
Submit your financial aid application by the priority deadline to be notified of your financial aid eligibility prior to the payment deadline for the term

• June 1 for the fall term
• November 1 for the spring term

If you submit your completed application after a priority deadline, we will determine your eligibility for federal loans and grants on a rolling basis.

Requested documentation must be received by Student Financial Services no later than 30 days prior to the last day of a term. If documentation is not received by this deadline, financial aid funds may not be awarded for that term.

You should receive your financial aid notification within four to six weeks from the priority deadline, or the date when the application is completed, whichever is later.