Financial Aid Timeline

New Student Timeline

Start your Teachers College application for admission as soon as possible in the Fall. Remember to opt in to be considered for institutional aid. Learn more about types of institutional aid or applying for institutional aid.
If you are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after it opens. Typically, the FAFSA opens on October 1st each year, however, the 2025-2026 FAFSA opened on December 1, 2024. Learn more about types of federal aid or applying for federal aid.

Submit your Teachers College application by the priority deadline for your program.
- Doctoral programs: December 1
- Master’s programs: January 15
Check your TC Pathways Portal for admissions and aid decisions starting in February.

Pay your enrollment deposit by April 15 to secure your spot in your program

Register for classes
Accept your aid in the myTC Portal and on the StudentAid.gov website, as appropriate
Complete your Entrance Counseling, Master Promissory Note, and other requirements for loans and other aid by the stated deadlines
Make arrangements to pay the balance of your Teachers College bill by the payment deadline, or make arrangements with the Office of the Bursar to participate in the installment payment plan.

Check for a federal loan refund check, if you expect to receive one. Our Office of Financial Aid does not process refund checks. Contact the Office of the Bursar if you have questions about your loan refund.

Continuing student timeline

If you are a current or continuing student at Teachers College, you may need to complete some financial aid tasks, such as application renewals, to be considered for financial aid in subsequent academic years.

If you are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after it opens. Typically, the FAFSA opens on October 1st each year, however, the 2025-2026 FAFSA opened on December 1, 2024. Learn more about types of federal aid or applying for federal aid.

Check your myTC for your aid decisions in late May/early June.

Accept your aid in the myTC Portal and on the StudentAid.gov website, as appropriate
Complete your Entrance Counseling, Master Promissory Note (if not previously submitted), and other requirements
Make arrangements to pay the balance of your Teachers College bill by the payment deadline, or make arrangements with the Office of the Bursar to participate in the installment payment plan

When Your Aid is Applied

Your financial aid is applied to your bill at different times, depending on the type of aid. New and continuing students receive aid according to the following schedule:

If you receive a scholarship, those funds will be applied to your bill on the first day of class for each class term.
If you receive federal loan money, your loan funds will be applied to your bill after the add/drop period ends for the term.
If you are due a federal loan refund check, the check will be issued within 14 days from the date of disbursement.
If you attend school during the summer, you will see the disbursements split between the two summer terms. If you plan to attend school for either summer term, you may request financial aid through your myTC portal once you are registered at least half-time (or the equivalent).