As you begin to research financial aid, it is important to understand that our practices include:
Need-blind admission: For citizens and permanent residents of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This means admissions decisions are not affected by a family’s ability to pay.
Need-aware admission: For international applicants, non-citizens, and non-permanent residents of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This means a family’s ability to pay does factor into admissions decisions. Please visit financial aid for International students for more information.
All Penn aid is need-based. Penn, like all other Ivy League schools, doesn’t award merit-based or athletic scholarships. Instead, all aid is devoted to helping families who need financial assistance to meet Penn’s cost of attendance.
Penn financial aid packages include grants and work-study jobs. About one-third of undergraduates find it necessary to secure a loan at some point in their academic careers.
Grants: Grants do not require repayment and are provided by Penn, the federal government, and some states. Learn more about Penn's grant-based financial aid.
Work-study jobs: As part of your financial aid package, on- or off-campus work-study jobs allow students to apply their earnings to college expenses.
Penn commits to meeting full demonstrated need for four years or eight semesters for all admitted students. If your family’s financial circumstances remain the same, financial aid remains similar; if circumstances change during the year (such as a parent losing a job), your financial aid package may be adjusted. Students must reapply for financial aid each academic year.
Admitted students are assigned financial aid counselors at Student Financial Services to help navigate this process. Prospective students can also connect with Student Financial Services as they begin the financial aid application process. The following resources are available on their website:
Contact SFS: Speak to knowledgeable SFS staff about your financial aid questions
SFS Parent Corner: Information for Parents and Families
Financial Aid Resources