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Admission and Aid

Opportunity for all.

Welcome to a place that thrives on individuality and diverse perspectives. As you explore and begin to find yourself in your own college experience, you'll find your ways of shaping the Grinnell community.

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Less debt. More direction.

In response to the financial hardship that many families are experiencing because of the pandemic, Grinnell College is eliminating student loans in need-based financial aid packages and replacing them with scholarships.

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    Why Grinnell

    Discover Grinnell, and then define it for yourself.

    It’s something more than a place, much bigger than an idea. Grinnell is a way of being and seeing. An unwavering commitment to your journey of discovery, both in everything you want to do and everything you want to become.

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    Application Process

    It begins by telling us about yourself.

    Grinnell is highly selective, but don’t let that intimidate you. “Selective” just means we get more applicants than we have space for in our classes.

    No single factor guarantees admission at Grinnell — we consider each applicant as a complete individual. We don’t require standardized test scores from our applicants, which means one less thing to stress about! Our goal is to create a diverse, well-rounded class that includes students from many different backgrounds and with diverse points of view.

    Tell us your story — we’re ready to listen! We’ll tell you what documents you’ll need, connect you to resources, and help you with any questions you have along the way.

An unlikely place to start an unforgettable journey.

Location is one important aspect of your college decision. Looking at the website is a good start, but we suggest keeping an open mind and making it a point to visit so you can experience the people, culture, and campus firsthand.

For many students, the moment they step on campus is when they know they’ve found the perfect fit. When you visit, you’ll also be able to talk to current students who could be your new peers. Who knows more about a college than the students who are already there?

Grinnell’s location on the Iowa prairie has given rise to generations of extraordinary experts, change-makers, and original thinkers. Come and experience our unique combination of environmental, economic, and political ecosystems — a visit to Grinnell will call into question everything you thought you knew about Iowa.

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Explore the Campus

Join Sophie the Squirrel as she shows you everything you need to know about Grinnell.

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    Tuition and Aid

    We're here to help.

    If you’re a Grinnellian, you belong at Grinnell. It’s that simple. So we’re right here with resources and answers about funding your Grinnell education.

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    For Counselors

    You may have a Grinnellian in your midst.

    If you are a counselor for a high school, a college adviser for a Community-Based Organization (CBO), an educator, or an independent counselor, this is the page for you. 

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    Hello There

    Meet people pleased to meet you.

    Your personal Grinnell experience starts from the moment you first discover our name. As you learn more, our dedicated team is ready to provide everything you may need to find your way here.

1,700 students
We're a small but powerful community.
3,000 internship opportunities
That's more opportunities than enrollees.
500+
Free Events, Lectures, Performances, and Symposia Each Year

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