Impact

Grinnell awards the equivalent of 70% of the annual endowment payout in student financial aid, compared to a national average of 42%. For the 2025-26 academic year, 92% of students receive financial aid.  Of the $79 million in institutional financial aid provided to students, $67 million is made possible by the annual payout from the endowment, and $12 million is provided by generous donors to the College.

Grinnell does not consider a student’s ability to pay as a factor in admission.  It is one of a small number of colleges in the United States to make that commitment, along with meeting 100% of each student’s calculated need without requiring loans as part of financial aid. Almost half of Grinnell students are in the high or very high need category and almost one third of the student body receives a full-tuition scholarship.