Financial Aid

Hamilton is need-blind for domestic students and we promise to meet 100 percent of your demonstrated need for all four years.

Hamilton has a well-earned reputation as a college of opportunity. That's why we follow a need-blind policy when reviewing domestic applications for admission. What does this mean? Your family's financial situation will not be considered when assessing your qualifications for admission. 

Once you are accepted, the Financial Aid Office will make your Hamilton education affordable through a comprehensive program of scholarships, loans and campus jobs. We work with your family to meet 100% of your demonstrated need by providing financial aid that makes up the difference between the cost of a Hamilton education and the amount your family is able to pay.

With generous financial aid, the cost of a Hamilton education can be surprisingly affordable -- sometimes more affordable than that offered by a fine public university. Here's why:

• We promise to meet the full demonstrated need, for all four years, of each student we accept who qualifies for aid based on their annual financial aid application.
• Financial aid makes it possible for approximately half of our students to attend Hamilton each year.
• The average financial aid package (scholarship, loan, work-study) for 2011-12 was $33,150.
• The average Hamilton College scholarship for 2011-12 was $30,200 and does not have to be repaid.
• The financial aid budget for 2012-13 is approximately $29.8 million.

If Hamilton is your dream college, we encourage you to complete an admission application and apply for financial aid. Our Financial Aid Team will then prepare a package that meets your full demonstrated need.

Many of us who work in the Admission and Financial Aid Offices received financial assistance to attend college, so we understand the significant sacrifices made by a family to fund a child's education. We are committed to providing options that are financially responsible over the long term.

A Hamilton education will probably be more affordable than you first imagined.