Dickinson Promise
The Dickinson Promise is a transformative initiative offering loan-free financial aid to many Dickinson students.
Starting with the class of 2030, this new initiative will allow Dickinson to offer incoming domestic students with a family income of $75,000 or less financial-aid packages that will allow them to graduate with no student loans. The new program enables Dickinson to join a small group of less than 50 schools in the country able to provide such support.
The Dickinson Promise was made possible thanks to the generosity of more than 5,000 alumni, parents, students, faculty staff and friends who supported the Campaign for Scholarships. Thank you to all the donors who made this possible and showed the incredible support of the Dickinson community.
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Frequently Asked Questions for Prospective Students & Families
Who is eligible?
Dickinson Promise is open to incoming first-year, domestic students starting with the class of 2030. Dickinson Promise grants are offered only to first-year prospective students at the time of admission; upperclass students who were not awarded the Dickinson Promise are not eligible to receive the Dickinson Promise in future years. Students are eligible to receive the Dickinson Promise for eight semesters of attendance.
What does this really mean? How is financial aid calculated?
Currently, when compiling a student’s aid package, the college assumes that a portion of the funding will come from federal loans. Starting with the class of 2030, the college will replace the need-based loan with greater financial aid for students with family incomes of $75,000 or less with typical assets.
Will I receive the Dickinson Promise every year?
Continued eligibility will be reviewed on an annual basis, based on required financial aid applications. Incoming students are required to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile. Returning students are required to complete the FAFSA and the General Application. Changes in income and assets could impact future eligibility for the Dickinson Promise.
How do I apply for the Dickinson Promise
Incoming students are required to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the CSS Profile, and submit tax documentation through the College Board’s IDOC Service. A Non-Custodial CSS Profile may be required if the parents are divorced or separated. Returning students are required to complete the FAFSA and the General Application.
Will all the students who qualify for “no loans” graduate debt free?
Not necessarily. Students may still be eligible for, and may request, to borrow a Federal Direct Loan. Also, a family can apply for a private loan if they would like. The college, however, will not require a Federal Direct Loan to be part of the calculation in the aid package.
If I do not submit all my financial aid application materials, will I still be considered for the Dickinson Promise?
No. We cannot assess eligibility until all application materials are received.
My family’s adjusted gross income is in the eligible range. Why don’t I qualify
Eligibility is based on both adjusted gross income (including the non-custodial parent, if applicable) and typical assets. The Office of Financial Aid will review the financial aid application materials to determine if assets are typical for the income level.
Will my external scholarship impact my eligibility for Dickinson Promise?
Whenever possible, Dickinson will attempt to have students benefit from both external scholarships and to not reduce eligibility for Dickinson Promise or other Dickinson funds.
Does this mean that these students will pay no tuition, fees, housing or food?
No. The amount of financial aid will be determined by information from the family’s FAFSA and CSS Profile applications. In most cases, it is likely that the family will be required to pay some portion of the tuition and fees for attendance at Dickinson. The no-loan portion of the award replaces the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan, which students would otherwise be expected to borrow as part of their financial aid package.
If I qualify for the Federal Pell Grant, will I be eligible for the Dickinson Promise?
Not necessarily. While there will likely be overlap between the Pell Grant and Dickinson Promise recipients, we include the non-custodial parent income in the adjusted gross income. Additionally, families need to demonstrate typical assets.
What if my family’s income changes?
The commitment is for all four years assuming that the family income and assets remain similar from year to year.
What other out-of-pocket expenses might I anticipate?
Summer classes, health insurance, books, supplies, personal expenses and travel.
If you have a question that is not answered here, please reach out to your financial-aid counselor.
Frequently Asked Questions for Alumni
Does this mean we are extending the Change a Life, Change the World Scholarship Campaign?
No. Although we are not officially “in a campaign” for scholarships, we will continue to provide opportunities for donors to support students of need, and we will celebrate the generosity of these donors.
However, as President Jones stressed during the celebration for the Change a Life—Change the World Scholarship Campaign celebration, the college doesn’t plan to stop there.
“We are not done!” he said. “This is the beginning, not the end. The Dickinson Promise intends to increase the $75,000 income threshold with continued philanthropic support from our community to allow even more of our students to graduate without loans in the coming years.”
Will the college move on to other fundraising priorities now that we have achieved this milestone?
The college continues to place a high priority on providing access to students of all income levels, including those with the highest need, so we will continue to seek philanthropic support for scholarships. We continue to work to increase the income limit for the Dickinson Promise, making our college even more accessible to deserving students.
Why are we announcing the Dickinson Promise now?
Thanks to the success of the Change a Life, Change the World Scholarship Campaign and prudent management of the endowment, the college is in a position to make this commitment at this time. We could not make this promise if not for the incredible generosity of the Dickinson community.
What other schools offer a similar opportunity?
The Dickinson Promise puts the college in a very select group of the country’s most prestigious higher ed institutions. Fewer than 50 other colleges and universities can make similar offers. Others include Brown, Colby and Columbia University. Within this group, however, the wealthiest institutions are able to provide higher income limit caps than Dickinson.
Will Dickinson reduce the number of high need students so it can afford the no-loan promise?
No. We are committed to sustaining or increasing our average of about 15% of the class qualifying for Pell Grants. Note that qualification for Pell Grants is not exactly the same as a family income of $75,000 or less, but there is a high degree of overlap between the two.