Prospective and New Students
Deadlines
| DEADLINES FOR EARLY DECISION I APPLICANTS | |
| 2025-2026 Fall Admission | |
| CSS Profile deadline (Claremont McKenna College School Code: 4054) | November 8 |
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) deadline If possible, use the Data Direct Exchange (FA-DDX) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for most efficient processing (Formerly known as the IRS-DRT). Do not change the data once it is transferred to the FAFSA. Once you have submitted your FAFSA, the data will not be sent to CMC from the Department of Education until late March. We appreciate your patience. (Claremont McKenna College School Code: 001170) | March 1 |
| Financial Aid Verification Information (signed copy of your parent and student federal tax return and W2s) are to be submitted to the College Board IDOC service | You will be notified if you are required to upload 2023 federal tax information and other documents through the IDOC service. This is to be completed within two weeks of the notification. |
Please note: If you are applying as an Early Decision applicant then you will not receive a financial aid package until the admission decision is completed and you are accepted. If you are accepted, then you will receive a preliminary financial aid package within a few days of the acceptance letter. However, it is important that you subsequently provide accurate and official information as soon as possible to finalize your award. You are not guaranteed financial aid if you miss any deadlines. For more detailed information on applying as an Early Decision applicant, please see the admission page or contact the Admission Office. | |
| DEADLINES FOR EARLY DECISION II APPLICANTS Please note: The Merit Scholarship admission application deadline is December 1 | |
| 2025-2026 Fall Admission | |
| CSS Profile deadline (Claremont McKenna College School Code: 4054) | January 17 |
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) deadline If possible, use the Data Direct Exchange (FA-DDX) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for most efficient processing (Formerly known as the IRS-DRT). Do not change the data once it is transferred to the FAFSA. Once you have submitted your FAFSA, the data will not be sent to CMC from the Department of Education until late March. We appreciate your patience. (Claremont McKenna College School Code: 001170) | March 1 |
| Financial Aid Verification Information (signed copy of your parent and student federal tax return and W2s) are to be submitted to the College Board IDOC service | You will be notified if you are required to upload 2023 federal tax information and other documents through the IDOC service. This is to be completed within two weeks of the notification. |
Please note: If you are applying as an Early Decision applicant then you will not receive a financial aid package until the admission decision is completed and you are accepted. If you are accepted, then you will receive a preliminary financial aid package within a few days of the acceptance letter. However, it is important that you subsequently provide accurate and official information as soon as possible to finalize your award. You are not guaranteed financial aid if you miss any deadlines. For more detailed information on applying as an Early Decision applicant, please see the admission page or contact the Admission Office. | |
| DEADLINES FOR REGULAR DECISION APPLICANTS Please note: The Merit Scholarship admission application deadline is December 1 | |
| 2025-2026 Fall Admission | |
| CSS Profile deadline (Claremont McKenna College School Code: 4054) | January 17 |
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) deadline If possible, use the Data Direct Exchange (FA-DDX) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for most efficient processing (Formerly known as the IRS-DRT). Do not change the data once it is transferred to the FAFSA. Once you have submitted your FAFSA, the data will not be sent to CMC from the Department of Education until late March. We appreciate your patience. (Claremont McKenna College School Code: 001170) | March 1 |
| Financial Aid Verification Information (signed copy of your parent and student federal tax return and W2s) are to be submitted to the College Board IDOC service | You will be notified if you are required to upload 2023 federal tax information and other documents through the IDOC service. This is to be completed within two weeks of the notification. |
| EARLY DECISION I DEADLINES FOR UNDOCUMENTED APPLICANTS | |
| 2025-2026 Fall Admission | |
| CSS Profile deadline (Claremont McKenna College School Code: 4054) | November 8 |
Dream Act Application deadline (For California residents only) (Claremont McKenna College School Code: 001170) | November 8 |
| Financial Aid Verification Information (signed copy of your parent and student federal tax return and W2s) are to be submitted to the College Board IDOC service | You will be notified if you are required to upload 2023 federal tax information and other documents through the IDOC service. This is to be completed within two weeks of the notification. |
| EARLY DECISION II DEADLINES FOR UNDOCUMENTED APPLICANTS Please note: The Merit Scholarship admission application deadline is December 1 | |
| 2025-2026 Fall Admission | |
| CSS Profile deadline (Claremont McKenna College School Code: 4054) | January 17 |
Dream Act Application deadline (For California residents only) (Claremont McKenna College School Code: 001170) | January 17 |
| Financial Aid Verification Information (signed copy of your parent and student federal tax return and W2s) are to be submitted to the College Board IDOC service | You will be notified if you are required to upload 2023 federal tax information and other documents through the IDOC service. This is to be completed within two weeks of the notification. |
| REGULAR DEADLINES FOR UNDOCUMENTED APPLICANTS Please note: The Merit Scholarship admission application deadline is December 1 | |
| 2025-2026 Fall Admission | |
| CSS Profile deadline (Claremont McKenna College School Code: 4054) | January 17 |
Dream Act Application deadline (For California residents only) (Claremont McKenna College School Code: 001170) | January 17 |
| Financial Aid Verification Information (signed copy of your parent and student federal tax return and W2s) are to be submitted to the College Board IDOC service | You will be notified if you are required to upload 2023 federal tax information and other documents through the IDOC service. This is to be completed within two weeks of the notification. |
| EARLY DECISION I DEADLINES FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS | |
| 2025-2026 Fall Admission | |
| CSS Profile (Claremont McKenna College School Code: 4054) | Not required (or upon request) |
| Financial Aid Supplement Form (found in applicant portal) | November 8 |
Financial Aid Verification Information (signed copy of your parent and student tax return and wage statements) are to be submitted to the College Board IDOC service. The tax information should be officially translated and converted to U.S. dollars. | You will be notified if you are required to upload 2023 tax information and other documents through the IDOC service. This is to be completed within two weeks of the notification. |
| EARLY DECISION II DEADLINES FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS Please note: The Merit Scholarship admission application deadline is December 1 | |
| 2025-2026 Fall Admission | |
| CSS Profile (Claremont McKenna College School Code: 4054) | Not required (or upon request) |
| Financial Aid Supplement Form (found in applicant portal) | January 17 |
Financial Aid Verification Information (signed copy of your parent and student tax return and wage statements) are to be submitted to the College Board IDOC service. The tax information should be officially translated and converted to U.S. dollars. | You will be notified if you are required to upload 2023 tax information and other documents through the IDOC service. This is to be completed within two weeks of the notification. |
| REGULAR DECISION DEADLINES FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS Please note: The Merit Scholarship admission application deadline is December 1 | |
| 2025-2026 Fall Admission | |
| CSS Profile (Claremont McKenna College School Code: 4054) | Not required (or upon request) |
| Financial Aid Supplement Form (found in applicant portal) | January 17 |
Financial Aid Verification Information (signed copy of your parent and student tax return and wage statements) are to be submitted to the College Board IDOC service. The tax information should be officially translated and converted to U.S. dollars. | You will be notified if you are required to upload 2023 tax information and other documents through the IDOC service. This is to be completed within two weeks of the notification. |
| DEADLINES FOR TRANSFER APPLICANTS | ||
| Spring Admission | Fall Admission | |
| CSS Profile deadline (Claremont McKenna College School Code: 4054) | October 22 | February 22 |
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) deadline If possible, use the Data Direct Exchange (FA-DDX) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for most efficient processing (Formerly known as the IRS-DRT). Do not change the data once it is transferred to the FAFSA. Once the FAFSA is complete, there will be a delay in the Office of Financial Aid being able to access your FAFSA. Please wait until February to contact the Office regarding your FAFSA. (Claremont McKenna College School Code: 001170) | October 22 | February 22 |
| Financial Aid Verification Information (signed copy of your parent and student federal tax return and W2s) are to be submitted to the College Board IDOC service | You will be notified if you are required to upload 2023 federal tax information and other documents through the IDOC service. This is to be completed within two weeks of the notification. | You will be notified if you are required to upload 2023 federal tax information and other documents through the IDOC service. This is to be completed within two weeks of the notification. |
| DEADLINES FOR UNDOCUMENTED APPLICANTS | ||
| Spring Admission | Fall Admission | |
| CSS Profile deadline (Claremont McKenna College School Code: 4054) | November 1 | March 15 |
Dream Act Application deadline (For California residents only) (Claremont McKenna College School Code: 001170) | November 1 | March 15
|
| Financial Aid Verification Information (signed copy of your parent and student federal tax return and W2s) are to be submitted to the College Board IDOC service | You will be notified if you are required to upload 2023 federal tax information and other documents through the IDOC service. This is to be completed within two weeks of the notification. | You will be notified if you are required to upload 2023 federal tax information and other documents through the IDOC service. This is to be completed within two weeks of the notification. |
| DEADLINES FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS | ||
| Spring Admission | Fall Admission | |
| CSS Profile deadline (Claremont McKenna College School Code: 4054) | February 22 | October 22 |
| Financial Aid Verification Information (signed copy of your parent and student tax return and wage statements) are to be submitted to the College Board IDOC service | You will be notified if you are required to upload 2023 tax information and other documents through the IDOC service. This is to be completed within two weeks of the notification. | You will be notified if you are required to upload 2023 tax information and other documents through the IDOC service. This is to be completed within two weeks of the notification. |
Applications/ Processes
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Claremont McKenna College FAFSA code is: 001170
Date available: December 2024
- This is the only financial aid form required to file for federal and most states' financial assistance.
- Complete the FAFSA with 2023 federal income tax information.
- The new FAFSA is student driven, which means the student's answers on their section will determine who will be a contributor (in addition to the student).
- A contributor is anyone who is asked to provide information on an applicant's FAFSA including:
- The student
- The student's spouse (if applicable)
- A biological or adoptive parent; or
- The spouse of the remarried parent who is on the FAFSA - the stepparent
- Students will need the contributor's name, date of birth, Social Security Number (SSN), and email address to invite them to complete the required portion of the FAFSA.
- All contributors are required to have an FSA ID in order to provide personal and financial information on their section of the FAFSA.
- It is strongly recommended that you utilize the FAFSA DDX Data Direct Exchange.
- Be sure to enter your correct Social Security Number on the FAFSA or it will cause delays.
Claremont McKenna College CSS Profile code is: 4054
Date available: October 1
- This form is used in addition to the FAFSA in awarding need-based institutional assistance.
- Review the College Board's instructions for completing the CSS Profile.
- Students with divorced/separated parents- Both parents will complete their own CSS Profile application. Each parent will access their CSS Profile with different College Board log-in credentials.
- To maintain confidentiality, the student and the custodial parent will need to ensure that the noncustodial parent does not know the student's College Board account password.
- Once submitted, you will receive an email from the College Board with further instructions about the IDOC process, if you are required to submit an IDOC packet.
- Make sure to use your correct Social Security Number on the CSS Profile application or it will not be processed in a timely manner.
You will be notified if you are required to upload 2022 federal tax information and other documents through the IDOC service. Upon notification, you must complete the steps listed below:
Send your IDOC packet.
- Include copy of the student and parent(s) 2022 federal tax Return or Non-Filer Statement.
- For tax return filers, include all schedules and W-2 forms.
- For non-filers, include all 2022 W-2 forms and the 2024-2025 Parent(s) Non-Filer Statement.
- For international tax return filers, include a converted to U.S. dollars/translated copy of the return and wage statements
- Signed by parent and student – 2024-2025 Verification Worksheet
- Business Tax Return (if applicable)
- Corporate/Partnership Federal Income Tax Return, and K-1 Schedule(s) for any corporation(s)/partnership(s) in which you or your parent(s) have investments.
California Dream Act Application
Claremont McKenna College Federal code is: 001170
Date available: October 1
According to the State of California, students may apply for financial aid through the California Dream Act (AB 540) if they meet ALL of the following criteria:
- They have attended a California high school for at least three years or graduated early from a California high school with the equivalent of three or more years of credit.*
- They have graduated from a California high school or have passed the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE), or have obtained a Certificate of General Education Development (GED).
- They will register or enroll in an accredited and qualifying California college or university.
- If applicable, they have completed an affidavit to legalize immigration status as soon as they are eligible.
* If you graduated early from high school under this provision, you must have also attended other California schools (elementary and secondary) for a cumulative total of three or more years.
Students meeting all of these requirements should visit the California Dream Act website or contact our office for more information.
The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) awards Cal Grants on the basis of academic achievement and financial need. CMC requires all students seeking financial assistance who are also California residents to apply for a Cal Grant. To be considered for a Cal Grant, you must submit a GPA Verification Form that has been certified by a high school or college official no later than March 2 to CSAC. Forms may be obtained at your high school or college.
Students who do not apply for or do not receive need-based financial aid upon admission are not guaranteed they will receive financial aid or be considered for financial aid in future years while enrolled at Claremont McKenna College. Each year financial aid consideration will be determined based on the availability of funds.