How to Apply for Financial Aid

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We want to make the financial aid application process smooth, transparent, and simple for you.

Students must apply for need-based financial aid every year.

Students who receive financial aid must be in good academic standing and continue to make Satisfactory Academic Progress toward obtaining their degree or certificate.

Undergraduate Students

Prospective Students
Current Students

Graduate Student Aid

Most Johns Hopkins students who are U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens can receive some form of federal aid from the U.S. government. We strongly encourage all U.S. applicants to apply for federal financial aid, regardless of what you think you might receive. There is no income cut-off to qualify for federal student aid.

Steps to Apply for Federal Aid

1. Submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online.

  • Include the school code of the JHU school to which you are applying. 
  • The FAFSA can be completed prior to or after being admitted to the university. 
  • Use estimates if you have not filed your tax return yet. 
  • Reapply each academic year. When you fill out the FAFSA, you are applying for aid for a specific year. To receive aid the next year, you’ll need to submit that next year’s form.

2. Refer to your To Do List in your JHU SIS Self-Service account.

Additional documents may be required and will be noted here. Access SIS Self-Service with your guest account or your Hopkins JHED. 

3. Complete Loan Requirements. 

If you are applying for federal student aid for the first time at Johns Hopkins University, you will need to complete: 

  • Master Promissory Note, a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education 
    • Grad PLUS loan borrowers must complete both the MPN for Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans and the MPN for Direct PLUS Loans 
  • Entrance Counseling, which ensures you understand the terms and conditions of your loan and your rights and responsibilities. 

Remember to select the correct school code. We are unable to retrieve your records if they are sent to another Hopkins division. 

4. Research additional funding options, if desired. 

Additional need-based and merit-based funding options may be available at your school or program. Check if separate applications are required. 
What Happens Next?

Graduate Financial Aid Deadlines 

Priority financial aid deadlines vary by school. Learn more about important financial aid dates. 

If you miss the deadline, it’s not too late. Applications for graduate federal aid are accepted on a rolling basis. We recommend you apply at least one month before the start of the semester to ensure you receive funds before classes begin. 

Late financial aid applications are always accepted and processed as quickly as possible. However, late applicants should be prepared to pay tuition when the initial bill is due and then receive reimbursement if aid is awarded subsequently. 

Maryland residents must complete the FAFSA no later than March 1 for state aid consideration. 

In this section
2025-26 FAFSA Form

The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid form is now available.

Priority financial aid deadlines vary by school. Learn more about important financial aid dates.