Current Students

Please use the navigation links at left to find the information you need, like details about financial aid programs for summer activities or study abroad.  If you prefer to search, you can use the search bar in the upper right corner of this page. 

Our monthly newsletter has lots of information about financial aid for upcoming programs and deadlines.  You can check it out by clicking the links under "Deadlines & Announcements" below the navigation links to the left.  If you need tips for financing your education, you can find more information in our Parent section. You may also want to check out our current students' Top 5 FAQs, below:

 

Top 5 FAQs

1. How do I access my financial aid funds for books and travel?
2. I need more aid.  Can I get additional loans or work study?
   
3. Do I have to reapply for aid each year?
4. Does being an RA affect my aid?
5. I'm going to live off campus... how will my aid change?

1. How do I access my financial aid funds for books and travel?

Duke does not issue stipends for books, travel expenses, or any other included expenses.  You should notice that your Bursar charges at the beginning of each semester will be for an amount less than your EFC for that semester.  This is because we are expecting part of your family contribution to cover other expenses not listed on your bill such as books, travel to Duke, and pocket money.  Your work study earnings are paid directly to you in the form of a paycheck and should also be used to cover these personal expenses.  You can review your financial aid award and financial aid budget at any time via your ACES account.

You do not have to purchase your books from Duke.  However, if you do buy from Duke, you have the option of using your Duke Card’s prepaid debit account, which we call your FLEX account.  You have to put money on your FLEX account in order to use it.  You can do this directly (with cash or a debit or credit card), or you can add funds to your FLEX account by charging your Duke student account.  Doing the latter adds money to your FLEX account, but also adds the same charge to your bill.  If there are any outstanding charges on your bill, they will need to be paid.

 

 

2. I need more aid.  Can I get additional loans or work study?

Maybe... and finding out is as easy as sending an email.  Loans and work study are both based on federal financial aid eligibility, which is determined by the FAFSA.  If you're interested in additional funding, you should let us know by going to the Financial Aid tab of your ACES account and clicking the "email your counselor" button that's in the upper right corner of your financial aid screens.  Your financial aid counselor will review your account and post all additional loans and/or work study funding available to you.  You'll automatically receive an email notifying you of the change to your award, and you'll be able to accept the additional funding via your ACES account.

 

3. Do I need to reapply for aid each year?

Yes.  Find out more.

 

4. Does being an RA affect my aid?

Yes.  If you are an RA, the value of the free room, meal allowance, and stipend is factored in like an outside scholarship, replacing loans and work-study first before reducing any Duke grant.  Being an RA does not reduce your family contribution.

 

5. I'm going to live off campus... how will my aid change?

When determining the amount of financial aid you're eligible to receive, we always include the cost of Dining Plan D for your meals, regardless of what - if any - dining plan you actually have.  If you live on campus, we include the exact cost of whatever dorm you live in for your housing.  When you live off campus, we include the cost of a standard double on Central Campus. 

Duke does not issue stipends for off-campus housing, meals, books, travel, or any other included expenses.  You should notice that your Bursar charges at the beginning of each semester will be for an amount less than your EFC for that semester.  This is because we are expecting part of your family contribution to cover other expenses not listed on your bill such as books, travel to Duke, personal expenses, housing if you live off campus, and additional meals if your dining plan charges are less than Dining Plan D.  Your work study earnings are paid directly to you in the form of a paycheck and should also be used to cover these personal expenses.  You can review your financial aid award and financial aid budget at any time via your ACES account.

In the case that your scholarships and loans are more than your charges for the semester, the Bursar's Office provides a refund of the difference to pay for other things like books, travel, personal expenses, off-campus housing, and additional meals.  Refunds are issued by direct deposit to your bank account.  Please complete a direct deposit authorization form and send it to the Bursar's Office to ensure your refund reaches you.  The Bursar's Office will be able to help you with questions about refunds.