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Important Alerts

Princeton will enhance its groundbreaking financial aid program

Most families with income up to $100,000 a year will pay nothing. Read the story.

How Aid Works

The Family Contribution

For families living in the United States, the family contribution is 25% of income over $100,000 and 5% of student and parent assets over $150,000. One family contribution is provided per student, even when the custodial and non-custodial parent information is reviewed separately.

For families living outside of the United States, the family contribution is adjusted based on cost of living.

Income, for Princeton University's financial aid eligibility review, includes but is not limited to:

  • Wages
  • Interest
  • Business or farm income
  • Rental income
  • Child support received
  • Annual contributions to retirement plans (e.g., 401K, IRA, SEP, SIMPLE)
  • Foreign income exclusion
  • Depreciation
  • Business and/or property losses
  • Net operating losses 

Assets, for Princeton University's financial aid eligibility review, include but are not limited to:

  • Cash (savings and checking)
  • Stocks
  • Bonds
  • College Savings Plans
  • Real estate equity (excluding the family's primary residence)
  • Business or farm net worth and/or value based on earnings

The Financial Aid Office may request additional information to accurately determine the student's need. The family contribution is meant to cover the billed expenses as well as non-billed transportation and miscellaneous expenses.