Smith College

Smith welcomes and supports qualified students from all economic backgrounds. As part of the college’s commitment to access, affordability and equity, Smith has eliminated loans from its undergraduate financial aid packages for those students receiving institutional need-based aid, replacing those funds with institutional grants. The college will meet the full documented need, as determined by college policy, of all admitted students who apply for aid by the published deadlines.

This section is for prospective students applying for admission. If you are a current student, please go to the Student Financial Services website for financial aid deadlines and policies.

Every family is unique, and we are here to help you through the application process and provide financial advice to help manage the cost of college. Whether you’re a traditional first-year student, transfer student, Ada Comstock Scholar, or international student (or any combination!), it’s important to understand your financial aid options.

While planning for college can be stressful, we’re here to support you each step of the way.

In an exciting new initiative, tuition will be free for undergraduate students whose families make up to $150,000 annually (with typical assets) beginning in fall 2026. Smith already offers one of the most generous aid programs in higher education, meeting 100% of demonstrated need with a loan-free financial aid package and $1,000 startup grants for high-need incoming students. The majority of current undergraduates qualify for financial aid.

Smith College does not include student loans in its undergraduate financial aid packages for students receiving need-based institutional grants—instead, we replace the loan amount with grants from the college, meaning students don’t graduate under a mountain of debt.

This initiative advances the college’s goal of ensuring that the college experience is equitable for all students, regardless of family finances.

Smith provides more than $95 million annually in institutional financial aid, and we have been leaders in enrolling Pell Grant-eligible students. The generosity of alums and donors, as well as prudent management of our finances—especially our endowment—allows us to make this investment at this time. Eliminating loans from financial aid packages represents a next step in equalizing the experience for students, regardless of family resources.