Financial Aid as a First Year

Merit scholarships are considered a resource when determining eligibility for need-based financial aid.  For example, if a student has $15,000 of calculated need and receives the Stride Scholarship for $22,500, 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.

The Zollman Scholarship is the college's highest academic scholarship. This scholarship is half of the tuition cost for four years and is awarded to fewer than ten first-year students based on their exceptional promise for Smith. Zollman Scholars are also invited to participate in the STRIDE paid research program. This scholarship is available to U.S. citizens.

The STRIDE Program offers students with outstanding academic and personal qualifications a close working relationship with a faculty or non-faculty member at Smith College. This scholarship of $22,500 per year (limited to $11,250 per semester of enrollment) for four years is awarded to approximately 50 students each year. In addition to the scholarship, students are also given an opportunity to be a research assistant with an annual stipend of $3,000 each year (effective Fall 2023) for two years at Smith College.

Each year a select number of applicants are identified as outstanding candidates and are awarded the Smith Presidential Scholarship. Entering first-year Presidential Scholars receive a merit-based award of $12,000 annually ($6,000/semester) for four years. Continuation of the Presidential Scholarship each year is contingent upon maintaining good academic standing.

This partnership provides up to four full-tuition scholarships for students from public schools in Springfield and Holyoke, Massachusetts. All students who apply to Smith from these schools will be automatically considered. This scholarship is available to U.S. citizens.

The resources listed below are here for your convenience. Smith does not endorse a particular aid source. Also, please visit the Smith Social Network to view more scholarship opportunities (you will be required to be logged into the Smith portal for access).

Searches

U.S. Department of Education
The Federal Student Aid Office website provides a free scholarship search

FastWeb
A nationwide scholarship search engine

Scholarships and Grants.US
Scholarship and financial aid resources to students preparing for all types of careers

Scholarships.com
Free scholarship search

Scholarships

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
A program that provides awards for U.S. undergraduates receiving Pell grant funding in a two- or four-year college or university to participate in study-abroad programs worldwide.

Gates Millennium Scholars
A highly competitive program for students of high academic achievement and leadership potential who have significant financial need

Big Y Scholarships
Scholarships are available to high school seniors, undergraduates, graduates, community college and nontraditional students. Open to Big Y customers and their dependents and Big Y employees and their dependents.

AES Scholarship
AES Engineering offers scholarships to motivated students

Scholarship America
Scholarship America works directly with students, parents, colleges, businesses and communities to help students fulfill their college dreams.

Educational Benefits

Smith College will consider any veteran's educational benefit as a resource for financial aid. This means that financial assistance offered through Smith may be reduced when the amount of Veteran's Administration (VA) benefits are factored into the award. This will apply to any institutional financial aid awarded. Our normal treatment for outside aid is to reduce or eliminate your self-help aid (loans or work-study). If your outside aid goes beyond these adjustments, Smith grant assistance will be reduced dollar for dollar. However, most VA educational benefits are exempt from being considered as a resource for determining federal financial aid funding levels. This means you may be allowed to keep a subsidized federal loan and federal work study, but could have a reduction in any grant assistance offered by Smith. Smith College merit awards are excluded from this treatment. Students requesting certification must fill out a Veterans Certification Request form and submit it to the Office of the Registrar along with their VA Certificate of Eligibility.

Veterans Certification Request Form (PDF)

Yellow Ribbon Benefits

Smith College is proud to be a sponsor of the Yellow Ribbon Program for our nation's veterans. This program was created as part of the post 9/11 Veterans Educational Act of 2008. Smith has made a commitment to both undergraduate and graduate students. Students seeking either a bachelor's or master's degree can apply for assistance through this program. Students must complete a Yellow Ribbon Benefits Request form to be considered. Funding is limited and will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Awarding will be determined by the date and time this form is returned to the appropriate office. Any student applying for this benefit is encouraged to fax or email the completed form. This program is only open to those veterans who have met the necessary qualifications for enrollment in this program. Eligibility criteria can be viewed on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.

Yellow Ribbon Benefits Request Form (PDF)

Any student awarded funding through the Yellow Ribbon Program will continue to receive this benefit as long as they remain in good academic standing and Smith continues to participate in the program. Students must also have a remaining entitlement through the VA. Yearly funding levels will depend on the amount Smith commits to this program.

Funding levels above will be matched by a direct contribution from the VA. Eligible students meeting the application criteria will be awarded the benefit regardless of whether they qualify for need-based assistance. This benefit will replace need-based grant assistance on a dollar-for-dollar basis, per our outside aid policy. Students accepted into Smith's Yellow Ribbon Program will be required to present their VA Certificate of Eligibility to a school certifying official.

Title 38 USC 3679(e) Compliance

In accordance with Title 38 USC 3679 subsection (e), this school adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33), Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) or Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) Ch. 35 benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA.

This school will not:

• Prevent the student’s enrollment;
• Assess a late penalty fee to;
• Require student secure alternative or additional funding;
• Deny their access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

To qualify for this provision, students are required to provide Chapter 33/35 Certificate of Eligibility or for Chapter 31, VA VR&E’s contract with the school by the first day of class. Students are also required to submit a VA Request for Certification Form for each semester for which they are requesting certification.