You're putting in the work to earn the college education of your dreams, and we want to help you receive the maximum amount of aid for which you're eligible. The first step is applying for financial aid by completing all required forms and submitting them by the proper deadlines.
Students Applying for Admission to Mills | Continuing and Returning Mills Students
Don't worry—your potential need for financial aid won't affect our admission decision. We select applicants on a "need-blind" basis and more than 90 percent of our undergraduate students receive some form of financial assistance.
We're here to help you navigate the financial aid process. Use the Connect with a Counselor form to reach out to your admissions counselor with any questions you may have. Your counselor can also connect you with a Mills financial aid specialist, if needed.
Don't wait until you've been admitted to Mills to apply for financial aid. Priority for financial aid will be given to students who meet the published deadlines for the fall and spring semesters. Even students who do not believe that they need financial assistance are strongly encouraged to submit their completed application materials by the appropriate deadlines.
To apply for financial aid, students must complete the required financial aid forms—usually the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and, for California residents only, the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form—and submit them by the published deadlines.
When completing the FAFSA, you should use estimated income and estimated tax figures for the previous year if your family’s tax returns are not yet completed. Financial aid awards will be adjusted later if the actual income and taxes paid differ significantly from the estimates.
Some students may be selected for financial aid verification. Visit our Completing Your Financial Aid Verification web page to learn how to complete this process.
The Financial Aid Office makes financial aid decisions each spring for first-year and transfer students who are admitted for the upcoming fall semester. Financial aid decisions for the spring semester are made later in the year. When your financial aid award is ready to be viewed online, you will receive an email notification prompting you to log into myMILLS via the Mills Resource Portal.
If you are applying for admission as a first-year student, you automatically will
be considered for a Mills academic merit scholarship if you submit your admission
application and required materials by the published early action or regular decision deadlines. Since these merit scholarships do not meet the total cost of education and living
expenses, you will need to meet these remaining costs with your own funds.
Unfortunately, international students are not eligible for need-based financial aid
at Mills. Our transfer scholarships require both demonstrated financial need and academic
achievement, so international transfer students are not eligible for Mills scholarships.
For additional questions, please contact your admission counselor using our Connect with a Counselor form or call +1.510.430.2135.
Mills College works with undocumented, AB 540, DREAMer, and DACA students to help you apply for financial aid that can help make your college dreams a reality. Visit the Applying for Financial Aid section of our Information for Undocumented Students web page for detailed application instructions.
Mills College works with students who are or have been in foster care to help you navigate the college admissions and financial aid journey. Please review the US Department of Education's resources for current and former foster care youth and the financial aid information on this website. Contact your admission counselor using our Connect with a Counselor form or call 510.430.2135 for additional guidance.
As a Mills student, you may continue to receive aid as long as you maintain satisfactory academic progress. With need-based financial aid, if there is little change in your family’s financial circumstances from year to year, you can expect to be offered a similar level of aid for each of your undergraduate years as long as you meet the College's published application deadline. For questions, we encourage you to contact the M Center to speak with a financial aid specialist.
To be considered for all financial aid opportunities that are administered by Mills, you must submit all applicable forms by the published deadlines for the fall or spring semester. Even students who do not believe that they need financial assistance are strongly encouraged to submit their completed application materials by the appropriate deadlines.
To apply for financial aid, continuing and returning students must complete the required financial aid forms—usually the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and, for California residents only, the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form—and submit them by the published deadlines.
When completing the FAFSA, you should use estimated income and estimated tax figures for the previous year if your family’s tax returns are not yet completed. Financial aid awards will be adjusted later if the actual income and taxes paid differ significantly from the estimates.
Some students may be selected for financial aid verification. Visit our Completing Your Financial Aid Verification web page to learn how to complete this process.
The Financial Aid Office reviews financial aid applications from continuing and returning undergraduates once spring grades have been submitted to ensure that students have met the required satisfactory academic progress standards. When your financial aid award is ready to be viewed online, you will receive an email notification prompting you to log into myMILLS via the Mills Resource Portal.
For students participating in a Mills-affiliated international visit (study abroad) or domestic visit program, federal and state sources of financial aid will transfer to assist with program costs. The amount of your federal and/or state aid available for this purpose will be determined by the Financial Aid Office. Federal and/or state sources of financial aid will be adjusted according to the costs of the program in keeping with federal and state regulations.
Institutional scholarships (merit and need-based Mills scholarships) cannot be transferred toward the cost of a study abroad or domestic visit program.
Travel costs usually are not included in published program fees and are the responsibility of the participating student.
Continuing international students do not need to resubmit financial information unless they experience a significant change in finances or a change in circumstances that could affect their visa eligibility. If you find yourself in either of these situations, contact your International Student Advisor at intl_stud@mills.edu or 510.430.2130.
Mills College works with undocumented, AB 540, DREAMer, and DACA students to help you apply for financial aid that can help make your college dreams a reality. Visit the Applying for Financial Aid section of our Information for Undocumented Students web page for detailed application instructions.
If you have additional questions, we encourage you to contact the Office of Financial Aid to speak with a financial aid specialist.