Cost & Aid

How Princeton's Aid Program Works

When awarding aid, we are guided by the following principles:

  1. Admission is need-blind for all applicants, including international students. Need-blind admission means that applying for aid is not in any way a disadvantage in the admission process, ensuring equality of opportunity for low- and middle-income students. 
  2. Princeton financial aid is awarded solely based on need; there are no merit scholarships. We consider an applicant's talents and achievements only in relation to admission. Academic and athletic merits are not considered when awarding aid.
  3. Need is determined through a careful review of each family's individual financial circumstances. Personal attention is given to every admitted student's aid application, taking into account special circumstances and professional judgment in determining aid awards.
  4. The full need of every admitted student is met through grants. The following table provides the average grant awarded to students admitted to the Class of 2023:
Gross Family Income Percent Qualified Average Grant What It Covers
$0–65,000 100% $71,340 Full tuition, college fee, room + board
 
$65,000–85,000 100% $65,620 Full tuition, college fee, 75% room + board
 
$85,000–100,000 100% $62,800 Full tuition, college fee, 58% room + board
 
$100,000–120,000 100% $58,780

Full tuition, college fee, 35% room + board​​​​​
$120,000–140,000 100% $56,400 Full tuition, college fee, 21% room + board
 

$140,000–160,000

 100% $52,210 Full tuition

$160,000–180,000

 100% $47,470 91% tuition

$180,000–200,000

 93% $41,900 81% tuition

$200,000–250,000

 82% $35,185 68% tuition

$250,000 and above
(most who qualify have
2 children in college)

 34% $25,430 49% tuition

Tuition = $51,870  Residential college fee = $930
Room and board = $17,150
Shown above are average grant figures for students whose families reside in the United States. Your grant may vary from the above averages based on the Financial Aid Office's evaluation of your individual family's resources, including assets other than the family home or retirement funds.