Princeton In Brief

Princeton’s no-loan financial aid program assists all qualified applicants with generous need-based grants, making the University affordable to low- and middle-income families. Committed to ensuring economic diversity within the student body, Princeton provides grants — which are like scholarships and do not have to be repaid — and campus jobs to meet the full demonstrated need for all students offered admission. These policies apply to both domestic and international applicants.

Under Princeton’s admission policy, need for financial aid is not in any way a disadvantage. Princeton welcomes applications from talented students of diverse economic backgrounds. Princeton’s financial aid application is free and available online. Admitted students who have applied for aid receive award notices at the same time as admission decisions.

Fifty-five percent of Princeton’s Class of 2012 is receiving a need-based grant directly from the University.

• Tuition — $34,290
• Room and board — $11,405
• Estimated miscellaneous expenses (books, supplies, laundry, telephone, recreation, etc.) — $3,495
• Estimated total — $49,190

• Grant dollars for all undergraduates — $87 million
• Grant dollars for the Class of 2012 — $23 million
• Average grant for the Class of 2012 — $33,000

See the chart below to learn how Princeton’s financial aid program is assisting families of the Class of 2012.

* For families whose assets (not counting the family home and retirement funds) do not exceed the average reported amount of $100,000.
** A grant does not have to be repaid. Sometimes grants are referred to as “scholarships” or “gift aid.”
*** Tuition = $34,290; room + board = $11,405
**** Most who qualify have 2 children in college.

Students submit their family’s information on the Princeton Financial Aid Application.

Every application is reviewed individually and many factors other than income are considered.

The chart above shows the average grant awarded by income range. However, families within each income bracket qualify for a range of grant amounts.

Some families receiving larger-than-average grants have:

• three or more children
• more than one child in college at the same time
• significant expenses such as medical, dental, private school, child care, elder care, or other special concerns

Some families receiving smaller-than-average grants have:

• family assets (other than home and retirement funds) that exceed the average reported level of $100,000
• complex income situations in which the tax return is not an accurate reflection of a family’s financial position
• divorced or separated parents, when a contribution from the non-custodial parent is expected

Students interested in learning more about Princeton’s financial aid program may contact the Undergraduate Financial Aid office.

Undergraduate Financial Aid Office
Princeton University
Box 591
Princeton, NJ 08542-0591
Tel 609-258-3330
faoffice@princeton.edu

“Princeton’s financial aid program is one of the best in the country for low- and middle-income families. Since 2001, it has been possible for Princeton students to graduate debt-free.” — Robin Moscato, Director of Undergraduate Financial Aid

Students can estimate their eligibility for a specific amount of financial aid by using the Financial Aid Estimator. www.princeton.edu/aid.