Scholarships & Aid
There are many ways to make a Baylor education fit your family's budget. Very few students pay the full tuition "sticker price" and are able to fund their education through various scholarships, financial aid, loans and payment plans. Our financial aid counselors will help you explore these options.
BASED ON
- Academic record & Baylor application file
REQUIREMENTS
- No additional application required
- Automatic consideration; includes test optional
DETAILS
- Apply to Baylor by 11/1 or 2/1
- Award amounts vary; notification date based on decision plan
- More information in your goBaylor account
- Merit-based scholarships are final upon admission.
BASED ON
- Individual and/or family financial circumstances
REQUIREMENTS
- Complete the FAFSA* and CSS Profile**
- Determines federal & university need-based aid
- * FAFSA for U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizens
- ** A separate need-based scholarship application may be required for some students
DETAILS
- Priority Deadlines:
CSS Profile - 11/1 or 2/1*
FAFSA - 2/1 - Award amounts vary; notification date based on decision plan
- *Priority deadline based on decision plan
BASED ON
- Student interests, activities and/or academic record
REQUIREMENTS
- Varies for each award
- May require separate application and/or event participation
DETAILS
- Deadlines vary by award
- Awards are often renewable and can be substantial based on type
- i.e. Scholarship Events, Department, Military etc.
BASED ON
- Resources via local business or organizations
REQUIREMENTS
- Separate applications typically required
- For Accepted Students: Explore your options with Scholarship Universe
DETAILS
- Deadlines vary by scholarship
- Apply now as some deadlines are soon!
OPTION 1: MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS
Your comprehensive academic record and a full review of your completed Baylor application file determine your eligibility for a Baylor merit-based scholarship. No additional application is required. All applicants are considered for merit-based scholarships when they apply, including students who apply as test optional. Very few students pay the full cost-of-attendance “sticker price” and over 84% receive merit-based scholarships. Merit-based scholarships are final upon admission.
OPTION 2: NEED-BASED FINANCIAL AID
To be considered for the maximum amount of need-based financial aid, you must submit BOTH of the following applications:
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) - Baylor's FAFSA® code is 3545
- CSS Profile - Baylor's CSS Profile code is 6032
2025-2026 Academic Year
To be considered for the maximum amount of financial aid, students must submit both the 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and the CSS Profile. The CSS Profile opens October 1 and the FAFSA opens later in December. Both applications should be submitted by the priority deadline to be considered for the most available funds.
- Freshman Early Decision and Early Action Priority Deadline – November 1
- Final Deadline to submit the CSS Profile for all Freshman & Transfer Admission Plans – February 1
If you miss the final deadline, please submit an application as soon as possible to be considered for any remaining funds.
PLEASE NOTE: Once you submit the FAFSA® and CSS Profile, it may not be reflected in your goBAYLOR account until a few weeks later as files are processed. You can check the status of your CSS Profile here, and as long as it is considered "Submitted," there is no further action for you to take. Likewise, you can check the status of your FAFSA® here, and as long as it is considered "Processed Successfully," there is no further action for you to take. Upon acceptance to Baylor, if any information from either the FAFSA® or CSS is still pending, there will be an update in your goBAYLOR account that will explain the pending information.
The FAFSA® will determine your eligibility for these programs:
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Includes Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans and Alternative Loans
-
Eligible students have priority the first 3 weeks of the fall semester to find a campus job. Students who do not qualify for FWS can apply for jobs after this priority period.
-
Includes Pell, Supplemental Educational Opportunity and Tuition Equalization grants
The CSS Profile will determine your eligibility for institutional, need-based aid.
Net Price Calculator
This tool helps undergraduate students estimate their eligibility for financial aid and out-of-pocket college costs.
It’s designed to support informed planning and give a clear picture of your options and costs, whether you're applying soon or just beginning to explore college options.
OPTION 3: SPECIALTY BAYLOR AWARDS
Baylor offers a variety of “specialty” scholarships for students who meet specific qualifications.
Be sure to explore these opportunities:
The various team coaches in Baylor Athletics award athletic scholarships in accordance with NCAA guidelines. Students interested in seeking an athletic scholarship should contact Baylor Athletics at (254) 710-1234 for the name of the contact person for each sport.
There are many scholarships available for students who are active in a Baptist church, pursuing a career in the church or whose parent is a Baptist minister or missionary.
Many department scholarships are only available to upperclassmen, however, there are a few departments that do have scholarships for incoming freshmen. Even if your department doesn’t have incoming freshman scholarships, we encourage you to explore what is available and start planning early for all 4 years of your Baylor education.
Baylor awards Sibling Scholarships* in the amount of $3,000 each on a first-come, first serve basis to undergraduate students who have one or more dependent siblings concurrently enrolled at Baylor (at least one must be an incoming freshman). Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and CSS Profile and demonstrate financial need. Each sibling must be admitted and subsequently, enroll at Baylor. For consideration, please email scholarships@baylor.edu. Use "Sibling Scholarship" in the email subject line and include each sibling's name and Baylor student ID number (send one email per family). Renewal of this scholarship is contingent on the siblings maintaining financial need, full-time undergraduate enrollment, and a minimum 2.5 cumulative Baylor GPA. Renewal eligibility ends when fewer than two siblings are enrolled as undergraduates at Baylor.
Baylor will also help you process VA Education Benefits and participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
*Those with an asterisk denote scholarships that are for incoming freshmen only.
OPTION 4: OUTSIDE SCHOLARSHIPS
We recommend you apply for as many outside/private scholarships as possible. These are usually offered by local businesses and service/religious organizations. Your high school counselor should be able to assist you in determining what is available in your community.
OPTION 5: INSTALLMENT PAYMENT PLANS
Baylor offers an installment plan that allows you to pay your out-of-pocket cost each semester in five monthly payments.