President's message to prospective students
To all prospective students for the Class of 2013:In these times of economic stress I would like to assure you and your families that Grinnell College continues its firm commitment to an admission policy based solely on academic strength and promise of contribution, and not on the ability to pay.
Grinnell College is one of the very few institutions of higher learning in America committed to a "need-blind" admission policy, which means we award financial aid designed to meet fully an admitted domestic student's institutional demonstrated need using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Instructions and forms needed in applying for aid can be found on the Grinnell Office of Student Financial Aid website.
By removing financial barriers to a Grinnell education, our admission and aid policies are shaped to attract and enroll top students and to ensure they have the financial flexibility after their college education to pursue meaningful careers as responsible contributors to the greater good of the world.
Important points to remember:
- Grinnell College meets the full demonstrated financial need of all admitted domestic students.
- Need-based loans for all loan eligible students are capped at $2,000 per year. This helps ensure minimal indebtedness at graduation. We also forgive some of these loans based on performance and need at graduation.
- The College believes that it is not socially responsible to make the resources and value of a Grinnell education free to those with ample means to afford it. As an investment in ownership of a Grinnell education, students and families are asked to make appropriate contributions to the cost of attendance.
- The College continues to award some scholarships based on academic merit without regard to need.
We hope you will apply because this is, beyond our financial aid policies, an excellent place to receive an undergraduate education and find a vocation.
Sincerely,
Russell K. Osgood
President