We will meet 100% of the demonstrated need of all admitted financial aid applicants.
What is Need?
Cost of Attendance − Family Contribution = "Need"
Cost of Attendance includes direct and indirect expenses. Direct expenses are tuition, fees, food, and housing. Indirect expenses are travel costs, books, supplies, laundry, etc. Although students do not receive a bill from Campus Billing for these expenses, we do consider an average amount per student when determining aid eligibility.
Family Contribution consists of a parent and student contribution. Students who receive assistance are expected to contribute a minimum amount annually, which should come from leave term earnings, as well as a percentage of the student's assets. Leave term earnings expectations range from $1,000 to $2,500 per year.
Dartmouth meets this "Need" with a combination of work and scholarships. Financial aid packages will not include a student loan.
Zero Parent Contribution for Families with Annual Income up to $125,000
To ensure that students from low- to middle-income backgrounds can afford a Dartmouth undergraduate education, students from families with a total annual income below $125,000 USD with typical assets can expect a financial aid package without the expectation of a parent contribution.
A qualifying student will be expected to meet the cost of attending Dartmouth via a student contribution from summer (or leave-term) earnings, a part-time, on-campus job during the school year and/or from personal savings.
Families with Income Above $125,000
A family earning between $125,000 and $175,000 USD with typical assets can expect a scholarship and/or grants that cover the full cost of tuition per year.
There is no income cut off for scholarship consideration at Dartmouth.
Dartmouth's financial aid staff evaluates each aid application for aid on an individual, annual basis, and it is College policy to meet the full, demonstrated need for all students, regardless of citizenship or entry round.
For all undergraduates, Dartmouth meets 100% of demonstrated need without a required student loan.
Regardless of income level, any student who qualifies for need-based financial aid will receive an aid package that never includes a required student loan. All demonstrated need will be met with scholarship or grant funding as well as student employment. However, a student and/or parent may choose a loan to finance the calculated family contribution or additional expenses such as health insurance or a computer. Any such loan is at the discretion of the family.
A family that does not qualify for need-based aid may explore financial assistance options such as parent loans, private alternative loans, and financing options.