Financial Aid

Department Overview

Our Mission

Swarthmore College’s commitment to financial aid and access is at the heart of our educational mission. We believe that every admitted student should have the opportunity to thrive at Swarthmore, regardless of financial background.

To put that into numbers, 56% of our students received need-based financial aid in 2025-26. For the 2026-27 academic year, Swarthmore's financial aid budget is more than $71 million.

The Financial Aid Office's mission is to support students and families navigating the cost of a Swarthmore education by providing them with information, resources, and guidance.

Financial Aid Navigation

Starting in the fall of 2027, Swarthmore will cover at least the cost of tuition for families who earn $200,000 or less each year.
Learn about the Swarthmore Tuition Guarantee

Swarthmore's Comprehensive Approach
to Student Affordability

Need-Blind Admissions

Decisions about your admission to Swarthmore and your financial aid eligibility are made independently if you are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or undocumented/DACA student or in the asylee/refugee status application process and graduating from a U.S. high school.
students walking under flowering trees

Meeting Full Need

The College strives to make it possible for all admitted students to attend Swarthmore by meeting 100% of the determined need for all eligible admitted students.
students in a circle

Loan-Free Aid

Our financial aid decisions consist of grants (which do not need to be repaid) and the opportunity for students to work in part-time campus-based jobs. However, your family might choose to borrow a loan from the government, a private lending agency, or a bank to pay a portion of the expected family contribution — which will need to be repaid.
two students talking on a bench

Applying for Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid can feel overwhelming, but our Financial Aid Office will support you every step of the way — from explaining required documents to answering commonly asked questions about financial aid.

Paying for Your Swarthmore Education

Learn more about the costs associated with Swarthmore. Estimate your aid eligibility, and discover how our loan-free financial aid can help offset your family contribution. In 2025-26, the average aid decision was $75,268.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore the questions and concerns our Financial Aid Office encounters most often, along with our straightforward answers and explanations.

Connect with Us

The Financial Aid Office supports students and families navigating the cost of a Swarthmore education by providing information, resources, and guidance. 

  • Our Process

    We understand that the financial aid process can feel challenging at times. You might have questions about what information is required, how the process works, and how your family’s unique situation might impact the outcome of an application for financial aid. This video breaks down the process into a helpful tutorial. And remember — our staff is here to help.

    Please note that the video above explains the process for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or undocumented/DACA students graduating from a U.S. high school. International applicants can find more information on our international student aid page.

    You can find more information about the financial aid process in our Financial Aid Handbook [PDF].

  • Holistic Application Review

    Swarthmore practices a thorough and holistic financial aid application process. Each year, your family will complete a financial aid application detailing your unique financial circumstances. This information is used to determine your family's ability to pay for a Swarthmore education.

    We encourage you to contact our office if you would like to discuss your individual application or if you have general questions about how our financial aid application process works.

    student studying in front of glass window

Financial Aid

Address

Financial Aid Office
Parrish Hall, First Floor
500 College Avenue
Swarthmore, PA 19081

Phone

Resources