914.395.2570—Westlands, first floor
Undergraduate Procedures
Returning students may apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available each October 1 and must be submitted no later than January 1 for consideration for Sarah Lawrence resources the following academic year. While completing the FAFSA, all families are strongly encouraged to use the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Data Retrieval Tool (DRT). Once the Office of Financial Aid receives the FAFSA, your Financial Aid Application Checklist will populate.
Copies of parents’ and students’ tax returns used to complete the FAFSA must be received by the Office of Financial Aid no later than January 1. For students whose parents are separated or divorced, both parents are required to submit their tax returns.
Applications submitted after the deadline may reduce institutional aid eligibility.
Notification of the following year’s awards will begin in early May. Merit scholarships are automatically renewed as long as the Committee on Student Work determines that the student is making satisfactory progress toward a degree. Merit scholarships from Sarah Lawrence will be forfeited if a student is suspended for any reason or if they do not meet satisfactory academic progress (SAP). Merit awards will not be reinstated. Review the college’s SAP Policy.
Students who, at the time of admission, are considered dependent upon parental resources remain so for Sarah Lawrence Need-Based Grant purposes throughout their undergraduate studies.
In the event that information used to determine a student’s financial aid eligibility changes or ability to continue studies at Sarah Lawrence comes into question, the student should immediately contact the Office of Financial Aid in Westlands. Please see our Guide to Financial Aid or visit the Financial Aid page of MySLC.
International Students
Only students who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States are eligible for federal aid. International students are advised to visit their Financial Aid Application Portal to review their checklist for required documents. International students are also encouraged to investigate other financing opportunities offered by their governments or by private institutions.
Graduate Procedures
The Office of Financial Aid awards scholarships to graduate students on the basis of need and merit at the time of admission. We process federal student loans for students who request them.
Students apply for need-based scholarships by signifying on the admission application that they are applying for financial aid. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for those scholarships with a need component and for federal student loans. International students need only send documentation of their income for the year requested. Admitted students with a completed application are automatically considered for all merit aid resources administered by Sarah Lawrence College. Scholarship decisions hold for the duration of the student’s enrollment (although some awards are for one year only) as long as the student is making, as well as maintaining, satisfactory academic progress toward a degree. Continuing students must reapply for need-based aid and student loans each year.
Scholarships and student loans comprise the two elements of a Sarah Lawrence financial aid package. Every financial aid package includes a student loan award for eligible students. Students are not required to accept a student loan in order to receive a Sarah Lawrence College scholarship.
Students are encouraged to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) on the FAFSA. IRS Data Retrieval allows the Department of Education to request income and tax information directly from the IRS. If DRT is not used on the FAFSA, students must upload a copy of their federal tax return to their application portal. Please see our Graduate Guide to Understanding Financial Aid or visit the Graduate Financial Aid section of MySLC.