An acceptance letter is a college’s formal invitation for you to enroll in their programs as a student. Depending on the type of admission you applied for, letters will be delivered from December through April. Once received, you have the option to accept or decline the offer.
Financial aid offer letters may look similar to an acceptance letter, but differ in key points. Financial aid offer letters, also known as award letters, will outline financial aid (if any) and a summary of the cost of attendance. Generally, an acceptance letter and an offer letter are sent together. In some cases, though, offer letters may be sent after acceptances.
Read on to learn more about what an acceptance letter is, what an offer letter is, when to expect an acceptance letter, and how to respond to an acceptance letter.
Basic Definition of an Acceptance Letter
Acceptance letters will generally contain the three following components:
1. A university’s offer to enroll and reasons the applicant stood out.
2. Details about on-campus events for prospective students.
3. Important deadlines and information on ancillary documents, such as a financial offer letter.
Students who apply for regular decisions generally receive their decision letters in March and April, but early decision and early action decision letters may be sent as soon as December.
Offer Letter vs Acceptance Letter for College
As mentioned, an acceptance letter details whether or not a student has been admitted into a specific college. Financial aid offer letters, also known as financial aid award letters, break down the tuition cost, scholarships and grants awarded, work-study programs offered, and federal student loan options available.
In order to apply for federal financial aid, students are required to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA®, annually. The information provided on the FAFSA helps determine the types of aid, and aid amounts, that students qualify for.
Scholarships and grants are funds awarded to students that do not need to be repaid. Loans are either provided by the government or a private entity and are repaid by the borrower, though only federal student loans would be included as a part of a student’s federal aid package. Work-study is a federal program that offers employment to students who qualify and have filed a FAFSA.
Furthermore, colleges use the information provided on the FAFSA to determine awards based on needs and merit.
In cases when federal aid isn’t enough to pay for college, students may consider private student loans to help fill in funding gaps. Keep in mind, though, that private student loans aren’t necessarily afforded the same borrower protections as federal loans — things like income-driven repayment plans or deferment options. That is why private student loans are generally only considered after all other options have been depleted.
| College Acceptance Letter | College Offer Letter |
|---|---|
|
• Formal acceptance into college program • Excludes Cost of Attendance (COA) info • Shares details of optional prospective student campus events • Contains important deadlines, usually the date to accept/decline the offer to enroll |
• Sent with or after acceptance letter • Outlines Cost of Attendance (COA) • Shares details of scholarships and grants awarded, as well as suggested loans • Contains deadline to accept/decline financial offer |
College Acceptance Letter Dates
College application deadlines vary by college and so will college acceptance letter dates. Furthermore, acceptance letters are sent out on dates depending on the type of application you submitted: regular, early action, restrictive early action, or early decision.
Applying for college early is one way prospective students can complete the application and acceptance process on an early timeline. It can be a path for those who have researched colleges thoroughly and want to get into a specific college.
Early action gives you a chance to apply to several colleges at once. Restrictive early action typically allows you to apply early to a single college, with the exception of public universities. Applicants who choose these routes are not obligated to accept their offer if admitted.
Early decision applicants apply to one school early decision and, if accepted, are required to commit. If an early decision applicant is accepted, they must withdraw their application from all other schools.
Additionally, some schools offer a more flexible rolling admission process. Instead of waiting to evaluate applications after specific deadlines, schools review applications as they are submitted (on a rolling basis). Generally, they’ll continue accepting applications until all of the open slots in their program are filled.
This table provides an overview of the types of applications, their general deadlines, and information on when students may accept a decision. Keep in mind that these dates are broad guidelines, and students should confirm all deadlines with the schools of interest.
| Application | Application Deadline | Decision Dates (General) |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Decision | December, January, February | March-April |
| Early Action | November | December-January |
| Restrictive Early Action | November | December |
| Early Decision | November 1-15 (some December and January) | December-January |
| Rolling Admission | Varies by school | Typically within four to six weeks of submitting an application |
When Do College Acceptance Letters Arrive?
Depending on the type of application, your college acceptance letter will arrive between December and April. Financial aid offer letters will be sent with or may follow acceptance letters.
What Does a College Acceptance Letter Say?
A college letter of acceptance will share the admission decision and may offer a list of upcoming events, such as when orientation will take place. It will also contain a deadline for you to submit a final decision.
The Decision
The first paragraph gets straight to the point: you’re in! It may also detail why you stood out from other applicants.
Prospective Student Events
Your letter may contain information on upcoming event dates and inform you on incoming ancillary documents, such as your financial offer letter.
Acceptance Deadline
The last portion of your letter will have important deadlines, including the date to accept the college’s offer. May 1st has become widely known as the deadline for students to make decisions about the college they’ll enroll in. Keep in mind that while this is a popular date for decision deadlines, colleges may have their own deadlines and applicants who applied early may have an earlier deadline.
Recommended: 7 Tips to Prepare for College Decision Day
How to Respond to College Acceptance Letter
Colleges inform students electronically, both online and by mail, or by mail only.
Some colleges will send forms to formally decline or accept their offer. Others may have you submit your decision via an online portal.
Be sure to educate yourself and stay connected to your top choice colleges’ admissions offices on how to respond to their college acceptance letter and to prevent missing important communications.
1. Weigh Your Options
College tuition is rapidly increasing — and can play a major role in your decision.
Compare financial offer letters to determine the best deal. If a college offers more aid, but has a substantial cost, then another college with less aid and a smaller price tag might impact your decision.
There are no standard offer letter forms, so cross-checking their website with your offer letter and getting advice can be helpful. You can also follow up with college admissions offices with your questions.
2. Choose Which College You Want to Attend
Of course, other factors will weigh into your decision-making. According to publisher Princeton Review , students are split nearly down the middle on how they choose colleges: 40% say they choose a college based on “best for their career interests,” and 40% say they choose a college that is the “best overall fit.”
You can break down your decision even further with the following questions:
• How strong is the academic rigor of the program I’m pursuing? Is the program a fit for me?
• How important is the location to me?
• What stands out to me about the campus culture?
• Is this institution the right fit for my financial situation?
• Does it have strong career preparation programs and resource offices?
Choosing a college will take time. But with research and guidance, you can have more confidence in making your final decision.
3. Find Funding for the School You Choose
Financial aid from schools, private entities, and the government may help put an expensive college within reach. If your top choice is not fully covered by out-of-pocket finances and other sources of financial aid, applying for a private student loan is an option.
Also, getting a job during the summer or working while in school can help with tuition and daily needs.
Recommended: How to Pay for College
4. Decline Other College Acceptance Letters
Once you’ve accepted a school offer, be sure to notify other colleges that accepted you right away. This enables them to offer your spot to waitlisted prospective students.
The Takeaway
Your college admission acceptance letter and financial aid offer letter are key to deciding your next steps. From as early as December until April, you may receive college decision letters. Unless you applied early decision, waiting to receive all college acceptance letters can help you evaluate your options.
Funding your education will be one of the most important decisions you make. Compare your financial aid offer letters to determine which school offers the best value. Most colleges will give you until May 1 to accept or decline their offer and financial aid package (if any).
If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.
Photo credit: iStock/Adene Sanchez
SoFi Private Student Loans
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