Yale awards financial aid in the form of need-based Yale Scholarship grants. For costs not covered by scholarships and grants, students may pursue term-time jobs on campus and/or loans.
Types of aid include:
Scholarships and Grants
Scholarships and grants are often referred to as gift aid, because they do not need to be repaid. Scholarships and grants in a Yale Financial Aid Offer fall into one of three categories:
- Yale Scholarship is a grant provided to Yale undergraduates from the University’s own funds. Its award is based solely on financial need.
- Merit-based scholarships may be funded by private companies, employers, and nonprofit organizations; they are not offered by Yale. Their award is based on criteria directly related to a student’s performance in academics, sports, music, or another field of special interest. Merit scholarships may reduce or replace the Student Share component of the Yale financial aid offer.
- Entitlement grants are awarded based on criteria such as federally-determined financial need, city or state of residence, or affiliation with an employer. Sources may include federal or state government and other agencies not affiliated with Yale. Entitlement grants reduce Yale Scholarship grants dollar for dollar. Examples include Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), state grants, tuition benefits, and Yale Club or Association Scholarships.
Term-time Jobs
Term-time jobs include Federal Work-Study and other types of student employment opportunities during the academic year. Students can find paid work in academic departments, research laboratories, residential colleges, athletic facilities, and many other campus spaces. Most jobs offer flexible hours, and all university employers understand that a student’s academic obligations take precedence over work.
Most campus jobs are available to all students regardless of their work-study or financial-aid status; see Student Employment’s FAQ page for more information. During the first two weeks of each term, hiring preference for student jobs is given to undergraduates receiving Yale financial aid.
All student earnings from term-time jobs are paid directly to the student. For more information on student employment opportunities, please visit the Student Employment website.
Education Loans
Yale’s financial aid policies ensure that 100% of every student’s demonstrated need is met with a package that does not include loans. But some students and families find it more convenient to defer some costs until after graduation and to take advantage of their eligibility for education loans.
Students may use loans to cover some or all of their student share instead of taking a term-time or summer job. Families may be eligible for certain types of loans regardless of whether a student receives Yale Scholarship. Learn more about loan options.
