Princeton Financial Aid

About Princeton University

Established in 1746, Princeton is the fourth-oldest college in the country, and along with Harvard and Yale, is a member of the 'Big Three,' an informal term for the three most prestigious universities in the country. Research activity at Princeton is rivaled by only a handful of other universities, its faculty is extraordinary, and it has the largest endowment on a per-student basis, with just over 10,000 students (about 50-50 undergrad to grad) and an endowment of about $17.1 billion. Not only is Princeton an academic powerhouse, but also it has a beautiful campus. Located in the cozy town of Princeton, New Jersey, the campus is gorgeous and town-gown relations are strong. Student life is vibrant, which a large variety of social and academic clubs in addition to sports teams, with countless offerings allowingstudents tomakethe most of their college experience.

Budgeting and Princeton Financial Aid

Contrary to popular opinion, Princeton is affordable-while the sticker price is roughly an astronomical $51,000, the Princeton financial aid program is extremely helpful in making a Princeton education affordable to all who have significant merit. No student who is deemed to have financial need is required to take a loan to cover the costs of attending Princeton, though there are situations where Princeton may overestimate a family's ability to contribute towards the total figure of tuition, fees, and room and board. In 2010-11, Princeton awarded more than $100 million in grants to more than half of its student body.

Princeton Financial Aid Application Process

The process of applying for Princeton financial aid is relatively simple, and requires just two forms: the Princeton Financial Aid Application and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), both of which you can complete online. If you have any questions regarding anything at all about your aid application, you should feel free to contact the Princeton financial aid office the staff is very accommodating, and will be happy to help you with any questions you might have.

Princeton Financial Aid Packages

As noted above, Princeton financial aid packages are remarkable in that they consist of, on average, 95% grants/scholarships, and 5% on-campus jobs. Most Princeton students simply do not need student loans because of the strength of their financial aid program. However, in some cases, the Princeton aid office overestimates the contribution a family could make towards a college education, and for these students and families, federal, or sometimes private student loans become necessary to fill the financial gap. If you're in a situation like this, exhaust your federal options first, but if you're looking for a private student loan, use our Student Loan Comparison Tool to search, compare, and apply for a private student loan that best fits your financial need.