Financial Aid as an Undocumented Student
Undocumented students, with or without Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), are encouraged to apply for financial aid at Smith College. Smith welcomes all students to apply for financial aid, regardless of citizenship status.
This section is for prospective students applying for admission. If you are a current student, please go to the Student Financial Services website for information.
Applying for Aid
When to Apply
You must not wait until you have been accepted to Smith to apply for aid. Any student who may need institutional financial assistance during their tenure at Smith should apply for aid by the financial aid deadlines. For applicants who meet the published deadlines, award notifications are sent with admission decisions.
Applying for Aid After Deadlines
First-Year Applicants
Undocumented students who do not apply for financial aid by the published financial aid deadlines will be required to complete 64 credits earned at Smith before they are eligible to apply for institutional financial aid.
Transfer & Ada Comstock Scholar Applicants
Undocumented transfer and Ada Comstock Scholar applicants who do not apply for financial aid by the published financial aid deadlines will be required to complete 32 credits at Smith before they are eligible to apply for institutional financial aid.
Types of Aid
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.
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.
Students can work all over campus and off campus in a wide variety of jobs, including but not limited to jobs in academic offices, groundskeeping, and the library systems. If you do not have a work study component to your award, you can still apply for jobs on campus after October 1 in the fall, and as of two weeks after classes begin in the spring.
Ada Comstock Scholars
Ada Comstock Scholars with dependent children under the age of 18 will have the work component of their award replaced with the Balbach Grant. If you do not have a work study component to your award, you can still apply for jobs on campus after October 1 in the fall, and as of two weeks after classes begin in the spring.
For information about work-study at Smith College, see Student Employment.
Learn about the various financing options available to undocumented 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.
Living with Relatives
There is a grant reduction if you live with relatives. Please contact us for the amount of the reduction if you are considering living at home or with relatives in the area.
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)