What if my parents are unemployed or did not file a tax return?
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…
Can I send my tax returns directly to you?
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).
When will I know if I will receive financial 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.
What kinds of funds will be included in my aid offer?
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
Will I need to take out loans?
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…
Does the “no loan” policy mean I would not be allowed to borrow if I wanted to take out a student loan?
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.…
For students who borrow, what is the average debt at graduation?
For students who choose to borrow, the average total indebtedness is about $9,600. Learn More: Financial Aid by the Numbers
If I qualify for aid, how much assistance will I receive?
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…
If my aid offer includes a campus job, how many hours per week will I work?
We typically expect first-year students to work 9 hours per week, which allows them ample time for studies and extracurricular activities.
Is it easy to find a student job on or near campus?
Our Student Employment site is continuously updated with available jobs, making it easy for students to find employment opportunities both on and off campus.
What is the Federal Work-Study Program (FWSP)?
Federal Work-Study is a form of federal aid which pays student wages.
What if I win an outside scholarship?
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…
What does it cost to attend Princeton for a year?
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.
Can I use financial aid to study abroad?
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…
Is it true that eating clubs for juniors and seniors are too expensive for aid students to join?
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…
Do I need to reapply for financial aid each year?
For each year of attendance at Princeton, students must submit a new financial aid application.
Will I receive the same amount of financial aid every year?
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…
Do I have to maintain a minimum GPA to remain eligible for financial aid?
There is no minimum GPA requirement to remain on financial aid, but students must continue to maintain satisfactory academic progress.
If I do not apply for aid my first year and my family circumstances change later, can I request aid after my first year?
Yes. Students can apply for aid at any point during their time at Princeton. An explanation of the change in circumstances may be required.
Budgeting
Why is budgeting important?The most common financial problem is spending more than you earn, and the easiest way to overspend is to not know how much money you have available. Tracking your…
Credit
Establish good credit now for future success.Credit is a vital component of any good financial plan. While it may seem intimidating, a healthy credit history will ensure your ability to…
Taxes
Two things in life are certain—taxes is one of them.If you plan to work and earn income, then you should plan to pay taxes. Navigating the federal tax code will be an important part of your…
Federal Verification
Federal verification is the process that ensures the information submitted on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is accurate. If your FAFSA is selected for verification by the…