Child Support Paid

You indicated child support paid on your CSS Profile. Submit a signed statement indicating the total amount of child support paid for the applicable tax year. Child support paid is applicable when a student's biological parents divorce/separate. It is not simply financial support provided to the student. These are payments made due to divorce, separation, or a legal requirement or agreement is reportable.

DD214 Form

This form may be requested to confirm whether you are or will be a qualifying veteran. The form can be requested from the Department of Veterans Affairs at www.va.gov/records/get-military-service-records.

Death Certificate

This may be requested due to a recent death of a parent. Please submit a copy of the death certificate.

Disinterested Third Party Letter

A statement from an individual providing information on the student/parent's situation. Most commonly, this is requested for students pursuing Unusual Circumstances (dependency status change), to confirm dependency status reported on their FAFSA, or Noncustodial Parent Waiver supporting documents. Typically, statements are provided by a teacher/faculty member, school counselor, academic advisor, medical authority, member of the clergy, prison administrator or government agency/court.

Divorce/Separation Documentation

If you (or your parent) have experienced a recent divorce/separation, then you are required to submit documentation that confirms the divorce/separation. This may include one of the following:

• Legal Separation/Divorce Decree Document: Submit a copy of your divorce decree/certificate.
• Document to Demonstrate Separation: Submit documentation that shows the individuals (parents) are no longer living together and maintaining separate lives. An example could be copies of mortgage/rental agreements that show the individuals are living/maintaining separate households.

FAFSA Release Authorization

The Department of Education requires all institutions to ensure the consistency of data related to a student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Before disbursing Federal Student Aid funds, all data discrepancies and conflicting information must be resolved. If you received a request for either a parent or student FAFSA Release Authorization, we have found conflicting information between your FAFSA and supporting documentation.

Please log in to My Student Aid to authorize Carnegie Mellon University to adjust FAFSA data in order to resolve the conflicting information between the FAFSA and other supporting documentation submitted to the university.

Parents or guardians who cannot access the authorization through My Student Aid may submit a PDF copy of the FAFSA Release Authorization: 

• 2025-2026 Parent of Guardian FAFSA Release Authorization (pdf)
• 2024-2025 Parent or Guardian FAFSA Release Authorization (pdf)

Printed forms may be completed, signed (handwritten), and submitted directly to CMU through My Student Aid or to thehub@andrew.cmu.edu (returning/enrolled students) or admission@andrew.cmu.edu (newly admitted students). 

Loss of Income Documentation

If you have submitted a Special Financial Circumstance request for loss of income in 2025, then you are required to submit documentation that confirms your loss of income. This may include a recent pay stub, unemployment statement or termination letter from your employer. See below for more information on each document.

• 2025 Recent Pay Stub: Submit a copy of a pay stub/statement from a pay period in 2025 (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) that's provided by your employer. 
• 2025 Unemployment Statement: Submit a statement that shows you've received unemployment benefits for 2025. 
• 2025 Termination Letter: Submit a statement from your previous employer that shows you are no longer employed/your position has ended. This statement should include a final employment date.

Maintenance of a Second Household

If you have submitted a Special Financial Circumstance request for the maintenance of a second household, then you are required to submit documentation that supports this request. This may include rental agreement/mortgage statement and utility bills. All statements should have dates listed.

Medical & Dental Expense Documentation

This may be requested if an amount of unreimbursed medical/dental expenses are listed on your CSS Profile or if you submitted a Special Financial Circumstance for medical/dental expenses. Please submit copies of paid medical/dental receipts with dates that are not covered by insurance. These do not include insurance premiums. Any documentation supplied should show proof of payment, not just billed or owed.

Non-U.S. Tax Documentation

Did you file taxes with a U.S. territory or commonwealth or a foreign central government? 

If yes, please submit a signed copy of your tax statement.

If not, please submit both of the following:

• Wage statement(s) that confirm income earned from work from your employer.

• Documentation from your taxing authority that confirms taxes were not filed. If this documentation is unavailable or unable to be obtained, you may complete the Non-Tax Filer Statement (see below).

Please note: Submit copies of your original tax or wage document(s) AND include a translation of the document(s) to English & U.S. dollars using the current currency exchange rates.

Non-Tax Filer Statement

If you are not required to and did not file taxes in the U.S. or any other country, please use this form to report your income from any/all sources. If that amount is zero, then please check the applicable box on the form.

Complete, sign (handwritten), and submit directly to CMU through My Student Aid or to thehub@andrew.cmu.edu (returning/enrolled students) or admission@andrew.cmu.edu (newly admitted students). 

• • [Returning Students] 2025-2026 Non-Tax Filer Parent (pdf)
  • [Incoming Students] 2025-2026 Non-Tax Filer Parent (pdf)
  • [Returning Students] 2025-2026 Non-Tax Filer Student (pdf)
  • [Incoming Students] 2025-2026 Non-Tax Filer Student (pdf)
  • 2024-2025 Non-Tax Filer Parent (pdf)
  • 2024-2025 Non-Tax Filer Student (pdf)

One-Time Distribution

If you submitted a Special Financial Circumstance request for a 2023 one-time income distribution, then you are required to submit documentation that confirms this income. This may include a one-time salary bonus/severance statement or a 2023 1099-R for retirement distributions.

Parent/Student Form 1040-X

Submit a signed copy of your Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return (Form 1040-X) for the applicable tax year. 

Parent/Student Form 1099

Submit a copy for the applicable tax year through My Student Aid or to thehub@andrew.cmu.edu (returning/enrolled students) or admission@andrew.cmu.edu (newly admitted students). 

Parent/Student Verification of Non-Filing Letter

This may be required if selected for federal verification. If confirmation of non-filing status is required, we recommend requesting an IRS tax transcript online. (View detailed instructions.)

Parent/Student Tax Returns and/or W-2s

Submit these directly to CMU through My Student Aid or to thehub@andrew.cmu.edu (returning/enrolled students) or admission@andrew.cmu.edu (newly admitted students). 

Please note that only the first two pages of your 1040 are expected, and handwritten signatures and dates are required on page 2 of each Form 1040. See the screenshot below for reference:

If you filed taxes in a U.S. Territory, please submit your territory return. If you filed taxes and/or earned income in a country outside the U.S., please see Non-U.S. Tax Documentation (above). 

Parent/Student Tax Return Transcript

This may be required for dependent students if selected for federal verification. If required, we recommend requesting a transcript online (view detailed instructions).

CMU Perkins Replacement Loan Packet

Visit My Student Aid and select the CMU Perkins Replacement Loan Application Packet, and follow the on-screen instructions. Student log-in (Andrew ID and password) is required for this form.

Reaffirmation Letter

If you exceed your aggregate or annual federal loan borrowing limits (find limits at studentaid.gov), you may no longer be eligible for any form of federal financial aid until you can reestablish your eligibility. To reestablish your eligibility, you can either repay the excess loan amount in full, or make repayment arrangements with your Federal Loan Servicer (a process called Reaffirmation). In either case, you must provide Student Financial Aid with a letter from your Federal Loan Servicer confirming that you have made arrangements to reestablish your eligibility. 

Schedule A

This may be requested if an amount of unreimbursed medical/dental expenses are listed on your CSS Profile or if you submitted a Special Financial Circumstance for medical/dental expenses. Please submit a copy of your Schedule A corresponding to the appropriate tax year when the expenses incurred. For the 2025-2026 award year, the Schedule A would be from 2023. If you submitted a Special Financial Circumstance for medical expenses in 2024, then you'd submit your 2024 Schedule A.

Schedules 1, 2, 3, B, C, D, E, F and K-1

Submit these tax schedules directly to CMU through My Student Aid or to thehub@andrew.cmu.edu (returning/enrolled students) or admission@andrew.cmu.edu (newly admitted students). Learn more about schedules 1, 2 and 3, or learn more about all other schedules.

Sibling Educational Expense

If you submitted a Special Financial Circumstance request for a sibling’s educational expenses, then you are required to submit receipts for these expenses. These requests are typically for a sibling with disabilities or special needs. Please note: This is not for a request to consider another sibling enrolled in college.

Unsubsidized or Parent PLUS Loan Only Form

Complete the form, sign (handwritten), and submit directly to CMU through My Student Aid or to thehub@andrew.cmu.edu (returning/enrolled students) or admission@andrew.cmu.edu (newly admitted students).

U.S. Citizenship Documentation

Submit an original copy of U.S. Citizenship Documentation (i.e., U.S. Passport, Certification of Naturalization) in person to the HUB. If you are unable to appear in person, complete the U.S. Citizen/Eligible Non-Citizen Authentication of Documentation From below and submit it through My Student Aid or to thehub@andrew.cmu.edu (returning/enrolled students) or admission@andrew.cmu.edu (newly admitted students).

• [Returning Students] U.S. Citizen/Eligible Non-Citizen Authentication of Documentation form (pdf) 
• [Incoming Students] U.S. Citizen/Eligible Non-Citizen Authentication of Documentation form (pdf) 

Verification of Household Information

Based on a review of your financial aid application materials, you are required to verify your household information, which also includes information about any household members enrolled in a degree-seeking or certificate program at a college or university. To complete the form, please visit My Student Aid and select the Verification of Household Information. Student log-in (Andrew ID and password) is required for this form.

Yeknik Student Loan Packet

Please visit My Student Aid, select the Yeknik Student Loan Application Packet, and follow the on-screen instructions. Student log-in (Andrew ID and password) is required for this form.

Default Clearance Letter

If you are in default on one or more federal student loans, you are not eligible to receive additional federal student aid until your defaulted loans have been resolved. You may log into NSLDS to review your official loan history at https://studentaid.gov/, to see which loan is defaulted. To regain eligibility for financial aid, you need to submit a letter from your lender indicating that your loan is no longer in default either because it has been paid in full or because satisfactory payment arrangements have been completed to remove the loan from a defaulted status.

CSS Profile

If applying for institutional financial aid programs, complete the CSS Profile online at cssprofile.org. If you do not have a College Board online account, you will need to create one in order to complete your CSS Profile application. Carnegie Mellon receives your Profile data electronically from CSS. Carnegie Mellon's CSS College Code is 2074. 

FAFSA

Complete your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. 

Carnegie Mellon Federal School Code: 0003242

A Department of Education Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID is required. View FSA ID instructions.

FAFSA Federal Tax Information Approval & Consent

New for 2024-2025: Students and contributors (typically parents, for dependent students; and spouses for independent students) will need to provide approval and consent for their Federal Tax Information (FTI) to be utilized for their FAFSA to be processed. If this approval/consent is not provided, then your FAFSA cannot be processed. If students and/or contributors don’t already have an FSA ID, they may begin that process on the Federal Student Aid website.

FAFSA Signature

If you and a parent (for dependent students) do not sign your FAFSA, then it cannot be processed. Please visit this website for instructions on how to sign your FAFSA.

Federal Master Promissory Note (MPN) and/or Entrance Counseling

Complete online at https://studentaid.gov. 

If you do not wish to borrow Federal Direct Loans, please complete a Loan Adjustment (pdf) form and email it to thehub@andrew.cmu.edu (returning/enrolled students) or admission@andrew.cmu.edu (newly admitted students).

Financial Aid Terms and Conditions

When you login to Student Information Online (SIO), you may be prompted to acknowledge and agree to the financial aid terms and conditions before accessing the site, regardless of whether you receive financial assistance. For the most recent copy of these terms, visit our website.

Parent CSS Profile

All parents complete a CSS Profile application at http://cssprofile.org. In the case of divorced or separated parents, each parent will complete their own CSS Profile application with different College Board accounts/login credentials. Carnegie Mellon receives your Profile electronically from College Board.

Parent PLUS Loan Application

Apply online at https://studentaid.gov by selecting 'Parent' and 'Apply for a Parent PLUS Loan'.

Parent PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN) and/or Entrance Counseling

Complete MPN online at https://studentaid.gov by selecting 'Parent' and either 'Complete a Master Promisory Note for a Parent PLUS Loan' or 'Complete PLUS Credit Counseling'.

Provisionally Independent Student

Based on how you answered questions on your FAFSA, you may be identified as a Provisionally Independent Student. All Provisionally Independent Students must submit Carnegie Mellon's Unusual Circumstances Form and supporting documentation based on their situation. After review of these documents, the Student Financial Aid Office will determine the student’s dependency status.

SAVE Verification Process

If you indicated on your FAFSA that you are an eligible noncitizen and provided an A-number, identifying information is sent to the DHS for eligible noncitizen matching. If the match is unsuccessful, then you should check that the A-number listed on your FAFSA is correct; if incorrect, then make the correction to your FAFSA directly. If it is correct, we may request documentation to support your eligible noncitizen status. Acceptable documents may include, but are not limited to, I-94 Form, Permanent Resident Card, Resident Alien Card, I-94A Form.

Copy of Social Security Card

Electronic submission of Social Security information is discouraged. If you need to correct the Social Security Number on your FAFSA, please follow these instructions. If needed, Social Security Cards may be presented in person at The HUB. We will make a copy of the card, so there is no electronic submission.

Verification of High School Completion

Provide one of the following documents to indicate your high school completion:

• A copy of a high school diploma
• A copy of a final, official high school transcript that shows the date the diploma was awarded
• A copy of a General Education Development (GED) certificate or GED transcript
• An academic transcript that indicates you successfully completed at least a two-year program acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor's degree
• A copy of a secondary school completion credential for homeschool (other than a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent) if state law requires homeschooled students to obtain that credential
• A transcript or equivalent, signed by your parent or guardian, that lists the secondary school courses you completed and documents the successful completion of a secondary school education in a homeschool setting

Identity and Statement of Educational Purpose

This may be submitted using one of the following options:

1) Submit a valid government-issued photo ID and the Identity and Statement of Educational Purpose form (linked below) in person to The HUB or Office of Admission; or

2) If unable to appear in person, we may accept a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID and an original notarized Identity and Statement of Education Purpose form (linked below) mailed to The HUB (for enrolled/returning students) or Office of Admission (for newly admitted students), 5000 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213. We can only accept original notarized forms via mail; photocopied forms or those that are faxed or emailed cannot be accepted. 

• 2025-2026 Identity and Statement of Educational Purpose (pdf)
• 2024-2025 Identity and Statement of Educational Purpose (pdf)