Financial Aid Process and Requirements: First-Year Students

Fill out the Common Application correctly. You must include your correct social security number, name as listed on your social security card, and birth date; all of which must be accurate and match what you entered on the FAFSA. This information must also match the data entered on your Common Application in order to be considered for institutional, federal, and state need-based aid. You can refer to the admission website for more information on application deadlines and requirements.

Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the priority deadline.

• October 15 - Spring Admission
• December 15 - Early Action Fall Admission
• February 15 - Regular Decision Fall Admission

Completed FAFSA applications received after this date may not be eligible for institutional need-based aid. The FAFSA is required to be eligible to receive university grants, Cal Grant, Federal Direct Loans, Federal Grants, and Federal Work Study.

FAFSA on the Web allows you to complete and submit your FAFSA information on-line. Apply for a FSA ID right away so you can sign and submit your FAFSA electronically. Dependent students must have one of their parents get a FSA ID to be able to complete and sign the FAFSA. You may contact the Federal Processor at (800) 433-3243, if you need additional information.

The FAFSA school code for Pepperdine University is 001264.

After submitting your application, you will receive access to the Pepperdine Application Portal, where you can track the status of your required application materials. Please refer to the admission website for additional information about application requirements. 

Once you are enrolled at Pepperdine, you can refer to your WaveNet "To Do List" for a list of forms/documents that you are required to submit to the Office of Financial Assistance. Please do not submit documentation that has not been requested.

Failure to submit all required verification documents by the priority deadline may cause delays or cancellation of disbursement of federal and state awarded financial assistance. Finance charges accrue daily on past due balances. If financial assistance is delayed or cancelled it is the students/parents responsibility to find other resources to pay all charges prior to the due date in order to avoid finance charges. Federal aid cannot disperse until these items are received, which will result in finance charges to the account.

All California residents should apply for the Cal Grant by completing and submitting a GPA Verification and FAFSA form. These forms must be completed by the April 2 deadline to be considered for Cal Grant eligibility. Mail your completed GPA Verification form via certified or registered mail directly to the California Student Aid Commission as indicated in the instructions.

A non-U.S. citizen with U.S. permanent residency must submit a clear, enlarged photocopy of the front and back of his/her green card. Verification of all documents submitted will be completed with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Non-U.S. citizens without U.S. permanent residency are not eligible to receive financial assistance.