Types of Aid
³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all accepted students. Aid packages can include ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ grants, ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ scholarships, government grants, work-study, and zero or low student loans, depending on total family income. If awarded, your package will re-offered annually to ensure your need is met all four years and can be appealed if your circumstances change.
For more information, be sure to also review our FAQs, visit our Financial Aid website, or estimate your aid with our cost calculators.
Financial Aid 101
What's gift aid? What's government aid? Is this a loan? Let us walk you through it with our playlist of Financial Aid 101 videos. We cover information applicable to all college as well as ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ specifics.
³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ grants and Scholarships
Your ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ grant or scholarship is a form of aid that does not need to be repaid. ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ awards grant aid based on demonstrated need.
- How to apply: Complete your CSS profile by the ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ application deadline.
Less than 1% of ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ's aid is based on merit, offered through two selective programs, independent of need-based aid. Both programs award $20,000/year for a total of $80,000.
The Filene Music Scholarship (4-6 awarded annually):
For questions, email Artist in Residence Michael Emery.
- How to apply: Apply to ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ and complete the Filene application by January 15. Four to six students will be invited to perform at the Filene Music Competition.
Porter/Wachenheim Presidential Scholarships ( approximately 45 awarded annually):
For questions, email Professor of Psychology Rebecca Johnson.
- How to apply: Check the Porter/Wachenheim Scholarship option on your application. After you submit your application to ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ, log into your applicant portal and
upload a PDF document that lists any extra-curricular science and math activities
you have been involved in (e.g., school clubs, academic teams, tutoring, relevant
volunteer work, shadowing/internship experiences, independent studies, summer research
programs, etc.) and any awards/honors you have received (e.g., science fair competitions,
science or math Olympiad medals, high testing, etc.). This can include anything in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Sciences, Geosciences, Health
and Human Physiological Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics, Neuroscience, Physics,
or Psychology. Then underneath the list, write a brief essay discussing:
- your interests in science and/or mathematics,
- how the activities you list above have helped you grow as a scientist and/or mathematician, and
- how you hope to pursue your scholarly interests at ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ.
Government Grants
The U.S. Department of Education offers a variety of federal grants to college students. Federal grants generally do not have to be repaid. These include and
- How to apply: Complete your FAFSA before June 30 in the year you plan to enroll.
Student employment
³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ's student employment programs enables all students to work part-time to contribute to their educational costs, including those who qualify for federal work-study. These funds are paid through ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ payroll and can be applied to expenses such as textbooks or travel. These funds are not meant for tuition. All students with demonstrated need will have work-study recommended as part of their aid package, but it is up to students to apply for campus positions each year and work enough hours to earn the total budgeted amount (approximately $4,000).
Visit student employment website
loans
Loans are aid that you borrow and repay. They can be in the student's or parent's name and are available from the U.S. Department of Education and private lenders. It's typical for students to have one or more of these loans as part of their package, but ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ is committed to recommending low levels, ensuring you don't pay more than you can afford.
Loan information on FINANCIAL AID WEBSITE
Outside scholarships
³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ students are welcome to pursue outside scholarships from public or private foundations, religious institutions, civic service organizations, and more. These scholarships are awarded separately from your ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ, federal, or state aid.
Our Financial Aid staff is eager to help with any questions you may have. From understanding your award to loan counseling, tips, advice and more, we want to do everything we can to help make a ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ education accessible to all at an affordable cost.