Duke University application deadlines for Fall 2027

1. Financial aidNovember 2, 2026in about a month

   Duke financial aid applications (CSS Profile and FAFSA) for Early Decision applicants

   If you're applying Early Decision and want need-based aid, your CSS Profile and FAFSA are due the very same day as the application itself, not later. This matters more at Duke than at most schools because ED is binding, so this is your only chance to see an aid offer before you're already committed to enrolling. Duke says it provides your aid offer together with your offer of admission, but only if the aid paperwork is in. Do not treat the aid forms as a follow-up task after you submit the Common App.

   If you miss it: You would likely receive your binding admission decision without an aid offer attached, meaning you'd be committed to Duke before knowing what your family actually pays. Duke states your total eligibility won't shrink, but the offer gets delayed.

   Open the pageSource: Duke Undergraduate Admissions, Checklist and Deadlines
2. Early DecisionNovember 2, 2026in about a month

   Duke Early Decision application deadline

   Duke's Early Decision is binding, so if you get in you're committing to enroll and to withdraw your applications everywhere else. You'll apply through the Common Application or, if you're eligible, the QuestBridge Application, and your counselor submits the Early Decision Agreement alongside it. Only go this route if Duke is clearly your first choice, because you'll be committing before you can compare aid offers from other schools. Duke also wants your first quarter grades, which it will accept through November 20.

   If you miss it: If you miss this, ED is gone for the year and you'll have to apply Regular Decision by January 4, where the admit rate is substantially lower.

   Open the pageSource: Duke Undergraduate Admissions, Checklist and Deadlines
3. Financial aidNovember 15, 2026in about 2 months

   Duke supporting financial aid documents for Early Decision applicants

   This is the follow-up aid deadline that catches people out. Two weeks after your ED application and aid forms go in, Duke wants the backup paperwork, meaning your family's tax returns and similar income documentation. Keep checking your Duke applicant portal, because Duke requests additional documents there and the specific list varies by family. Ask your parents to pull the tax documents together in October so you're not chasing them in November.

   If you miss it: Your aid file stays incomplete, so Duke can't finalize an aid offer to send with your binding ED decision, leaving you committed without knowing the cost.

   Open the pageSource: Duke Undergraduate Admissions, Checklist and Deadlines
4. Regular DecisionJanuary 4, 2027in about 3 months

   Duke Regular Decision application deadline

   This is the standard, non-binding deadline, so you can apply here and still compare Duke against every other offer you get in the spring. You'll apply through the Common Application, and Duke charges an $85 application fee unless you request a fee waiver through the Common App. Duke is test-optional for this cycle, so you won't be at a disadvantage if you leave SAT or ACT scores off. Decisions come out in late March or early April.

   If you miss it: Duke does not accept late first-year applications, so missing this ends your chance of entering in fall 2027 as a first-year student.

   Open the pageSource: Duke Undergraduate Admissions, Checklist and Deadlines
5. Financial aidFebruary 1, 2027in about 4 months

   Duke financial aid applications (CSS Profile and FAFSA) for Regular Decision applicants

   If you're applying Regular Decision and need aid, both the CSS Profile and the FAFSA are due by February 1, which is about four weeks after your actual application. Duke meets full demonstrated need, so this form is what determines whether you pay full price or close to nothing. After you file, watch your Duke applicant portal, because Duke often requests extra documents such as tax returns and business records. This is also the deadline that governs any Duke scholarship requiring demonstrated financial need.

   If you miss it: Duke states your total aid eligibility won't be reduced, but your offer gets delayed and may not arrive with your admission decision, so you'd be deciding between schools in April without knowing Duke's real price.

   Open the pageSource: Duke Undergraduate Admissions, Checklist and Deadlines
6. CSS ProfileFebruary 1, 2027in about 4 months

   Duke CSS Profile deadline

   Duke requires the CSS Profile from every undergraduate aid applicant, on top of the FAFSA, because it's what Duke uses to decide its own institutional grant money. It asks for far more detail than the FAFSA, including home equity, business assets and non-custodial parent information, so give yourself real time with it. The date shown here is the Regular Decision deadline. If you're applying Early Decision, yours is much earlier, on November 2, 2026.

   If you miss it: Without the CSS Profile Duke cannot consider you for need-based institutional grant aid, which is the largest source of money at a school costing over $100,000 a year.

   Open the pageSource: Duke Undergraduate Admissions, Checklist and Deadlines

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