FitzRandolph Gate and central walking leading to Nassau Hall

Affordable For All

Overview

We are committed to making a Princeton education affordable to all. Our financial aid program for undergraduates is recognized as one of the most generous in the country. We provide financial aid in the form of grants that do not need to be repaid. This means undergraduates can graduate from Princeton debt free. Graduate students also benefit from generous support while studying at Princeton. Princeton guarantees funding for its regularly enrolled, degree-seeking Ph.D. candidates for all years of regular program enrollment, contingent upon satisfactory academic performance.

Undergraduate Applicants

Our financial aid program is designed to encourage all qualified students — regardless of financial circumstances — to consider applying for admission to Princeton. Our generous financial aid has ensured the continued and growing enrollment of a diverse group of undergraduates from low and middle-income backgrounds.

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Grants, Not Loans

Financial aid covered 100 percent of tuition, room and board for students in the most recent freshman class whose families earn up to $65,000 per year, which will increase to $100,000 starting in fall 2023. This aid was provided in the form of grants, which do not have to be repaid. Princeton was the first university in the country to eliminate loans from its financial aid package.

 

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Zero Debt

Our generous aid program enabled 83 percent of recent seniors to graduate debt free. 

 

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Meeting Your Needs

Financial aid is awarded solely based on a student's need. Each student's aid award is determined individually based on family resources. For the most recent freshman class, 100 percent of families with incomes up to $180,000 qualified for financial aid.

 

Aid for Domestic and International Students

Princeton is one of only a handful of schools in the country that do not limit financial aid available for international students. The full need of all admitted international students is met the same as it is for students from the United States.

Current Undergraduates

Current undergraduates must apply for financial aid each year. It is our policy to meet students' full demonstrated need based on student's circumstances each year. Award amounts may vary from year to year, based on changes in a family's financial circumstances and Princeton's cost of attendance.

You can learn more about applying for aid through the Undergraduate Financial Aid website.

Funding & Support for Graduate Students

Graduate students sitting indoors and talking

We recognize that the decision to pursue graduate study requires a significant commitment of time, energy and resources. Princeton guarantees funding for its regularly enrolled, degree-seeking Ph.D. candidates for all years of regular program enrollment, contingent upon satisfactory academic performance.

Support for Ph.D. students to pursue scholarship and research may come in the form of fellowships, assistantships, external funding, travel grants, loans and assistance, and Federal Work Study.

The funding for master's candidates varies by department. Master's students also are eligible for assistantships in research and instruction.