Yale is accessible to talented students regardless of their family's ability to pay for college. We are committed to working with families in determining a fair and reasonable family contribution and will meet the full demonstrated need of every student for all four years. All financial aid is need-based; there are no athletic or merit-based awards.
For families with total income less than $60,000 per year, Yale typically does not ask parents to make any contribution whatever toward the cost of a Yale education. In assessing need, Yale does consider family assets, business ownership and other special circumstances in addition to annual income.
Yale will only offer admission through the National College Match to students whose parents qualify to make zero contribution to college costs. (Students who are not eligible for a zero parent contribution will be considered for admission to Yale in regular decision and will still qualify for extremely generous aid calculated to meet full financial need, with no loans required.)
Yale does expect all students to contribute $2,600 annually toward the cost of their own education through an on campus work-study job of about 7 hours a week. Yale's hourly minimum wage starts at $11.50 per hour. Students must also contribute $1,200 from their summer earnings freshman year, and $2,450 for sophomore, junior, and senior year, respectively. Outside scholarships may replace the student's work-study and summer income contribution.
You need to reapply for Yale's need-based financial aid every year, which will be adjusted to meet any change in need. In addition to family income and assets, Yale takes into account family size (including number of siblings in college), and documented special circumstances (such as extraordinary medical expenses) in determining financial need.
Scholarship Details
Glossary of terms appearing in scholarship package details
Policy regarding outside scholarships’ effects on the National College Match offer:
Outside scholarships may be used to reduce a student's term time job. If total scholarships exceed $2,600, students can request to replace the student income contribution of $1,200. If total outside scholarships exceed $3,800, students may ask the donor organization(s) for a deferment to subsequent academic years. Outside scholarships in excess of $3,800 that are not deferred will reduce the Yale Scholarship.
Policy regarding health insurance:
As a Yale student:
- You will be required by the University to have adequate health insurance (regardless of whether you will be studying on campus)
- You will receive primary care services at no charge at Yale University Health Services through Yale Health Plan (YHP) Basic
- You will be automatically enrolled in and charged premiums for YHP Hospitalization/Specialty Care coverage ($1,338) and YHP Prescription Plus coverage ($514)
If you already have valid and sufficient hospitalization coverage, you can waive Yale’s Hospitalization/Specialty Care insurance fee by submitting a waiver to the Yale Health Plan. Hospitalization insurance is mandatory and the expense is the student’s responsibility. Yale Health Plan Prescription coverage is optional and may be declined by submitting a waiver.
**Other Details
Students are expected to contribute 25% of their personal savings
toward college expenses.
The travel allowance is determined by Yale and will vary depending on
student location. Changes to the travel allowance will affect the Yale
grant.
