Financial Aid as a First Year
Smith College welcomes and supports qualified students from all economic backgrounds. As part of the college’s commitment to access, affordability and equity, Smith has eliminated loans from its undergraduate financial aid packages for those students receiving institutional need-based aid, replacing those funds with institutional grants. The college will meet the full documented need, as determined by college policy, of all admitted students who apply for aid by the published deadlines.
Smith is also proud to partner with QuestBridge, a platform that connects students from low-income backgrounds with leading institutions of higher education.
This section is for prospective students applying for admission. If you are a current student, please go to the Student Financial Services website for financial aid deadlines and policies.
Applying for Aid
Types of Aid
Grants are need-based and do not need to be repaid. Students may receive grants from a variety of sources, including Smith College and federal and state sources. In order to be considered for Smith College grants, you must apply for financial aid by the published deadlines, prior to admission.
Smith College offers a limited number of awards based on merit rather than need. All applicants for admission are automatically considered; there are no special application forms. Students are selected by the Office of Admission and must maintain satisfactory academic progress in order to have their scholarships renewed annually. Merit aid is only offered at the time of admission.
The student employment component of a financial aid award represents the opportunity to have a job on campus or through one of our off-campus employment partners. You are responsible for finding a position that aligns with your preferences and schedule, and are encouraged to apply early for the best selection of jobs.
First-year students, depending on type of work-study, may work all over campus and off campus in a wide variety of jobs, including but not limited to jobs in Dining Services, academic offices, groundskeeping, the library systems, and America Reads tutoring program. Incoming first year students may find it convenient to obtain their desired hours in the many shifts Dining Services has available as the largest employer on campus. They will offer incoming students the opportunity to sign up for shifts upon arrival on campus which will free first years up to concentrate on the many aspects of settling in on campus and beginning their academic schedule.
You may work to earn money for books and supplies, to put towards your tuition accounts, or for personal spending money. There is no obligation to work all or any of the hours awarded, though income not earned is not replaced with other aid.
For information about work-study at Smith College, see Student Employment.
Outside aid will first reduce or replace the work study portion of your award. If the outside aid exceeds the total work component of your award, we will allow the aid to go toward a one-time computer purchase, or toward the cost of the Smith College Health Insurance (unless you receive a health grant). Any amount of outside aid in excess of the work component of your award plus these costs if applicable will replace Smith Grant dollar for dollar. State or federal grant assistance reduces Smith Grant dollar for dollar. Outside aid includes outside awards based on student merit, as well as tuition subsidies based on parent employment (Tuition Benefits).
If you receive any assistance from an organization outside of the college, this aid must be taken into consideration in calculating your financial aid award. You are required to report all outside aid to the Student Financial Services office.
Once you notify us of any aid which is expected to be sent directly to the college, we will add the anticipated amount to the student account as a pending credit, reducing the amount due. If the aid is expected to be late, please notify us so we can extend the pending credit. Any amounts expected but not received are the responsibility of the student.
Outside aid, based on either student merit or parent employment (e.g.: employee tuition benefits), will first reduce or replace the self-help portion of your award (federal work-study). If outside aid is in excess of self-help, we will allow it to go toward the cost of the Smith health insurance plan or a one-time computer purchase. Any amount of outside aid in excess of self-help and these costs will reduce Smith Grant dollar for dollar.
Learn about the various financing options available to first-year students.
How We Determine Need
Each financial aid application file is personally reviewed by experienced staff in the Office of Student Financial Services. In addition to submitting the required documentation, you are welcome to include any information that you feel will help us understand your family's financial status. Remember to complete your admission application, since only accepted students can receive a financial aid decision.
Three steps are used in documenting your level of financial need:
1. Calculating the family contribution
The Office of Student Financial Services evaluates each student's application using federal and institutional methodologies to assess a family's financial resources. During the review, attention is given to individual family circumstances. Standard factors involved in the review include income, assets, family size, the number of family members in college, unreimbursed medical expenses, taxes paid and tuition for siblings in elementary or secondary school. Staff will determine what each family is expected to contribute toward the student's annual educational expenses following the appropriate federal and college policies.
2. Determining the cost of attendance
An educational expense budget is calculated for each student. Tuition, fees, room and board, and standard allowances for books, supplies, personal expenses and travel are included.
3. Financial need
The difference between the cost of attendance and the calculated family contribution is the student's documented financial need.
Smith College recognizes the diversity of the modern family and requires the submission of information regarding both parents, as well as spouses and domestic partners of each parent. Exceptions to this policy are made on a case-by-case basis.
Merit scholarships are considered a resource when determining eligibility for need-based financial aid. For example, if a student has $22,000 of calculated need and receives the Zollman Scholarship for $25,000, this student would not receive need-based aid since the scholarship exceeds the need. Students who have need-based aid eligibility above and beyond the amount of merit scholarships will receive need-based aid to cover the difference. Merit aid is not awarded on top of need-based aid, but is also considered to meet a family's financial need.
Allowance for Others in College
The fees of undergraduate institutions attended by siblings of traditional students or children of Ada Comstock Scholars are considered in our aid calculations. The enrollment status of each person is verified in the fall. A change in institution or enrollment status may affect your grant aid. For future planning, contact us for the allowance amount used this year.
Traditional Undergraduate Cost of Attendance 2023-24
Students are billed for one-half of the annual charges at the beginning of each semester. The Cost of Attendance includes allowances for out-of-pocket expenses that most students incur during the year.*
Cost of Attendance for Other Housing Arrangements for Traditional Students
Students who are approved by the Office of Residence Life to have a non-traditional housing or food arrangement have a modified Cost of Attendance. Learn more on the Traditional Students page.
Direct Billed Costs |
Cost (U.S. dollars) |
|---|---|
Tuition |
$61,260 |
Food & Housing |
$21,310 |
Student Activities Fee |
$308 |
Health Insurance (domestic students may waive) |
$3,014 |
Indirect Costs Not Billed |
Cost (U.S. dollars) |
|---|---|
Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment |
$800 |
Transportation |
(domestic average) $560 |
Personal expenses |
$1,728 |
Contact Student Financial Services
College Hall 106
10 Elm Street
Smith College
Northampton, MA 01063
Phone: 413-585-2530 Email: sfs@smith.edu
Call Center Hours: Monday through Friday 10 a.m.–noon and 1:30–3:30 p.m. (EST)