FAQs

Yes. Princeton is one of less than ten schools nationwide that does not limit the financial aid available to international students. Admission is offered to students regardless of their ability to pay, and the full need of every admitted international student is met just as it is for U.S. students.

Yes. Undocumented students, including students who have received deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals process, should apply for financial aid as international students by completing the Princeton Financial Aid Application.  The FAFSA is not required.  Princeton is one of less than ten schools nationwide that doesn't limit the financial aid available, regardless of citizenship status. Admission is offered to students regardless of their ability to pay, and the full need of every admitted undocumented student is met just as it is for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. While undocumented students are ineligible for federal financial aid, students can still receive aid from Princeton.  

Residents of the United States and Canada can enter their financial information into the Princeton Net Price Calculator to get an estimate of how much aid they may be qualified to receive. The Princeton Net Price Calculator is completely confidential and in no way affects your application for admission or financial aid. Please note the calculator is an estimate and not a guarantee of aid or admission.

After you submit the Princeton Financial Aid Application (PFAA), you will be able to upload the required documents. We do not accept documents via email. If you have supplemental information to send, you should use the 'other' documents option on the financial aid portal. Additionally you may use our secure fax number (609-258-0336) or postal mail. Visit Contact Us for our postal address. 

You will be asked to upload your parents’ tax return, or non-filer information, through the financial aid portal after you submit the Princeton Financial Aid Application (PFAA).  

Aid students who receive approval from the Office of International Programs for a semester or year abroad will be eligible for funding based on the cost of the program and amount of their family contribution. Princeton sponsored summer programs are not included since they have their own funds to support student costs. 

Learn More: Study Abroad Policies & FAQs

There is no minimum GPA requirement to remain on financial aid, but students must continue to maintain satisfactory academic progress.

For each year of attendance at Princeton, students must submit a new financial aid application.

When awarding aid, we require parental financial information for all students, with very few exceptions.

Learn More: Family Size & Household Status 

Yes. All documents must be officially translated into English for us to review them.

No. All financial aid awards are based solely on need. Learn more about how Princeton's aid program works.

Loans are available, and some students request an optional education loan to replace a shortfall in the expected student contribution or cover expenses not included in the standard student budget. Learn more about financing options. 

For students who choose to borrow, the average total indebtedness is about $9,600.

Learn More: Financial Aid by the Numbers

Prospective students: You should apply for financial aid by February 1st of the year you plan to enter college, or you may submit your application by November 1st if you are applying for Early Action. 

To learn more, please visit Apply for Financial Aid: Prospective Students.

Continuing students: You should apply for financial aid by May 1st. 

To learn more, please visit Apply for Financial Aid: Current Students.

Financial aid is awarded based on need only. We use the information you supply on your financial aid application and supporting documents to determine how much support we will provide.

You can check the status of your FAFSA online. You should allow one week for processing an online signature, and three weeks for processing a paper signature page.

Yes. Students can apply for aid at any point during their time at Princeton. An explanation of the change in circumstances may be required.

At Princeton, we are committed to meeting 100 percent of the calculated need of each aid applicant based on an individual evaluation by a financial aid counselor. We make this determination using the information you provide on your financial aid application. Learn more about aid awards in the Undergraduate Financial Aid Information and Application Instructions, which accessible through the Apply for Financial Aid page. You can also use the Princeton Net Price Calculator to see how much aid might be offered based on your particular situation.

We typically expect first-year students to work 9 hours per week, which allows them ample time for studies and extracurricular activities.

Our Student Employment site is continuously updated with available jobs, making it easy for students to find employment opportunities both on and off campus.

The food allowance included in the aid packages of juniors and seniors is based on the approximate average cost of an eating club board plan. This policy provides access to a variety of dining options for all aid students, including the eating clubs.

Yes. Princeton requires both parents to provide financial information in most cases. 

Learn More: Family & Household Status

The cost of attendance at Princeton includes tuition, housing, food, books, course materials, supplies, equipment, and personal expenses. Review the most current cost of attendance.

Outside/third-party scholarships reduce Princeton grant.  Students can use the amount of reduced scholarship toward the one-time purchase of a personal computer up to a pre-set amount by the financial aid office. 

View our outside scholarship policy for more information.

You should submit all documentation confirming income. Common documents include year-end wage statements and a letter from each employer stating annual income.

If your parents are unemployed and filed taxes, they should submit the requested tax return. If your parents did not file a return, you should submit all documentation of that year’s income, along with a parent non-filer statement. 

Download the non-filer statement from the Form Library.

Princeton’s Federal School Code for the FAFSA is 002627.

Federal Work-Study is a form of federal aid which pays student wages.

For Non-US tax residents, the University is required to withhold taxes on grant aid in excess of tuition each term. If you are a Non-US tax resident and your aid exceeds the cost of tuition, a tax charge will be posted to your student account each semester. You will also be required to file a U.S. Non-Resident income tax return each year and may be eligible for a partial or full refund of taxes collected.

In some cases, students may be eligible for a tax treaty exemption. Please contact Global Financial Services via email: globalfin@princeton.edu if you have questions about your possible tax treaty eligibility.

If you receive financial aid, your award will include Princeton grant and federal work-study if eligible, as well as any outside scholarships you earn. 

Learn More: Types of Aid 

If you are admitted to Princeton and have applied for aid, you will receive a financial aid offer along with your offer of admission.

No. There is no disadvantage whatsoever in the admission process for financial aid applicants. Princeton has a need-blind admission policy, ensuring equality of opportunity for students who cannot afford the full cost of attendance. This policy covers all admission applicants, including international students. Learn more about how our aid program works.

More than 20 years ago, Princeton eliminated student loans from financial aid offers, replacing them with grants. Since then, no Princeton student has been required to borrow as part of a basic aid offer. 89% of recent Princeton seniors graduated debt free.

It is our policy to meet every student’s full demonstrated need 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.