From Swarthmore
Affordability Overview
Swarthmore’s commitment to financial aid and access is at the core of our educational mission. Fifty-one percent of our student body received need-based Swarthmore Scholarship aid in 2022-23 from an overall financial aid budget of nearly $48 million. We have three distinctive commitments:
- We practice need blind admissions for all U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented/DACA students graduating from a U.S. high school. This means we make an admissions decision independent of financial decisions.
- Swarthmore meets 100% of determined financial need for all eligible admitted students.
- Swarthmore’s financial aid is loan-free. Our financial aid awards consist of grants (which do not need to be repaid) and include the expectation that students will work in a part-time campus-based job.
Beyond financial aid, we work to reduce the hidden fees of college. There are no “additional fees” at Swarthmore. Nearly everything is included in the annual activity fee, so things like movie nights, laundry, printing, and athletic events are free to all students. The Textbook Affordability Initiative provides funds to support students’ textbook purchases in the Swarthmore Campus & Community Store. All students receive an $800 allowance each year to cover the cost of required course materials.
Scholarships Overview
From Swarthmore
The majority of aid awarded at Swarthmore is need based aid and we meet 100% of determined need for all eligible admitted students. We do offer one merit based scholarship, the Thomas B. McCabe ’15 Achievement Award and all applicants are automatically considered.
Costs
The sticker price at Swarthmore is $75,793. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
Using State Grants at Swarthmore
Pennsylvania students considering Swarthmore should be sure to look at Pennsylvania state grant programs. Two of the biggest educational grant programs in PA are PHEAA and TIP. PHEAA offers funding for Pennsylvania students who are enrolled at least half-time in an institution and program approved by PHEAA. Students must meet certain academic and financial criteria in order to qualify. TIP, also known as PA-TIP, offers funding to students pursuing a degree in a field that the state designates as high-demand. Here are those fields in 2024:
- Energy
- Health
- Advanced Materials and Diversified Manufacturing
- Agriculture and Food Production
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Pennsylvania scholarships
Swarthmore College Questbridge Scholarships
Swarthmore is a member of Questbridge, which is a prestigious scholarship program that supports high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. Students who are “matched” to Swarthmore College through Questbridge receive a four year, full ride scholarship to the school. If you are interested in learning more about Questbridge, you can check out our Questbridge Scholarship guide.
No Loan Policy at Swarthmore
Swarthmore is a no-loan school, which means that their financial aid packages offer students grants and scholarships in place of the federal loans that are typically part of a package. This means that their financial aid is more generous than most, and they help bridge the gap between cost and student need. Some no-loan schools offer this policy for all accepted students while others only extend it to students below a specific income level, or to in-state students. Be sure to check Swarthmore's website for details on their No-Loan policy.
Swarthmore College Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Swarthmore need to submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA), as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA opens up on October 1st, and students should apply as soon as they can! The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Swarthmore is 003370 and the CSS Profile Code is 2821.
It should be noted that while the FAFSA is free, the CSS Profile does require an application fee. However, students can qualify for a CSS Profile application fee waiver if the cost will present a financial hardship for the students’ family.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
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Pell Grants at Swarthmore College
21% of students at Swarthmore College receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Swarthmore College.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Swarthmore students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources: