Princeton will enhance its groundbreaking financial aid program
Most families with income up to $100,000 a year will pay nothing. Read the story.
For quick reference, we’ve compiled the answers to our Frequently Asked Questions.
Yes
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Yes. Students can apply for aid at any point during their time at Princeton. An explanation of the change in circumstances may be required.
There is no minimum GPA requirement to remain on financial aid, but students must continue to maintain satisfactory academic progress.
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.
For each year of attendance at Princeton, students must submit a new financial aid application.
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.
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.
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.
In 2022-23, outside scholarships from private sources are used to reduce the student contribution. Once the student contribution is fully replaced, the Princeton grant is reduced to make room for the remaining scholarship in the award. Students can then 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. Learn more about how outside scholarships impact the financial aid award in the Undergraduate Financial Aid Information and Application Instructions, available on the Apply for Financial Aid page.
Federal Work-Study is a form of federal aid which pays student wages.
Our Student Employment site is continuously updated with available jobs, making it easy for students to find employment opportunities both on and off campus.
We typically expect first-year students to work 9 hours per week, which allows them ample time for studies and extracurricular activities.
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 Financial Aid Estimator to see how much aid might be offered based on your particular situation.
For students who choose to borrow, the average total indebtedness is about $8,500.
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.
More than 15 years ago, Princeton eliminated student loans from financial aid awards, replacing them with grants. Since then, no Princeton student has been required to borrow as part of a basic aid package. 84% of recent Princeton seniors graduated debt free.
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. More information about these types of aid is available in the Undergraduate Financial Aid Information and Application Instructions, which can be found on Apply for Financial Aid.
If you are admitted to Princeton and have applied for aid, you will receive a financial aid award along with your offer of admission.
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).
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. Please visit Additional Aid Application Requirements to download the non-filer statement.
You should submit all documentation confirming income. Common documents include year-end wage statements and a letter from each employer stating annual income.
When awarding aid, we require parental financial information for all students, with very few exceptions.
Yes. Princeton requires both parents to provide financial information in most cases. Please review the Additional Aid Application Requirements for more information.
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.
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.
Princeton’s Federal School Code for the FAFSA is 002627.
Yes. All documents must be officially translated into English for us to review them.
After you submit the Princeton Financial Aid Application (PFAA), you will be able to upload the required documents. If you have supplemental information to send, you should use our secure fax number (609-258-0336) or postal mail. Visit Contact Us for our postal address.
You should apply for financial aid by Feb. 1 of the year you plan to enter college, or you may submit your application by Nov. 1 if you are applying for Early Action. To learn more, please visit Apply for Financial Aid.
No. All financial aid awards are based solely on need. Learn more about how Princeton's aid program works.
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.
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.
Residents of the United States and Canada can enter their financial information into the Princeton Financial Aid Estimator to get an estimate of how much aid they may be qualified to receive. The Princeton Financial Aid Estimator is completely confidential and in no way affects your application for admission or financial aid. Please note the estimator is an estimate and not a guarantee of aid or admission.
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.