Need-Blind Admission

Our highest priority as a top-tier educational institution is to admit you, a bright and promising student--regardless of your financial background. That's why Grinnell College practices need-blind admission. We offer admission to applicants who are qualified intellectually rather than economically.

Admitted students with demonstrated financial need receive generous aid packages usually including grant assistance, long-term low-interest loans, and campus employment. Currently, about 85 percent of Grinnell students receive financial aid.

Costs

The 2010-11 comprehensive fee is $46,362 (tuition & fees, $37,482; room and board, $8,880). When determining eligibility for assistance, annual allowances are made for the following expenses:
Books & Supplies $900
Personal Expenses $1,100
Travel Expenses $200-1,800 depending upon home state/country.

Applying for Financial Aid

Grinnell College offers both merit-based and need-based financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and loans. We also offer many on-campus employment opportunities, as well as federal work-study.

  • Submit the Application For Financial Aid and Scholarships
    • by November 15 for Early Decision I
    • by January 2 for Early Decision II
    • by February 1 for Regular Decision
    • by December 1 for Spring Transfer
    • by May 1 for Fall Transfer
  • Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 1 (all applicants)
    **To avoid delays, be sure to list Grinnell College on the FAFSA.
    **Our Title IV school code is 001868.
  • Submit your and your parents' signed federal tax return, including all schedules and W2's by February 1 to receive a final award with your admission decision. Note: A preliminary award will be made if tax forms are not yet available.
  • For more information on financial aid, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Limiting Student Debt

  • Grinnell College meets 100 percent of demonstrated institutional need for all admitted domestic students. The College is moving to meet the full demonstrated institutional need of select international students, who historically were eligible to receive an aid package covering up to 85 percent of their need.
  • As part of the culture of alumni support, the College also raises specific funds from alumni to reduce, at the time of graduation, the indebtedness of seniors who have demonstrated a solid work ethic both academically and co-curricularly.
  • Beginning in the 2007-08 academic year, eligible students may designate one summer devoted to either an approved Grinnell College sponsored internship or summer research at Grinnell College. In return, the expected summer earnings contribution of $2,500 will be eliminated for that one summer only.
  • For students entering Grinnell in the fall of 2007 or later and receiving any non need-based aid, the College will index the merit aid award at the same percentage as the comprehensive fee increase - providing the student remains in good standing and fulfills the academic standards of the merit award.
  • Beginning with the 2008-09 academic year and continuing for 2009-10, the College limited or capped the amount of loan used to meet a student's institutionally determined need at $2,000. Need-based grants and work make up the remainder of the packages which meet the full demonstrated institutional need of all admitted students. The College remains committed to a need-based loan cap with modest annual increases due to increasing costs and current economic conditions.

Special Scholarships for Iowa High School Students

A list of scholarships exclusively for Iowa high school students is available here: Iowa Scholarships.