Funding Your Education

The price of a college education versus what it costs to attend can sometimes be misconstrued. The actual price the average undergraduate pays for a college education is considerably lower than the published tuitions and fees. This is due to grants and other forms of financial aid that are based upon an individual family’s financial circumstances and ability to pay. A college education can still be an affordable choice for families, and remains an invaluable and enriching resource that students will use throughout their lives.

Affording a College Education

Every college financial aid package is created using information that students submit about their family’s financial situation.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the most important form for submitting this information. Most schools ask for it in determining aid, and you will also need to fill it out to receive scholarships from the U.S. government. Some colleges will also ask for the College Board’s CSS Profile when you are applying for aid.

I got the CPS scholarship as part of the UChicago Promise. It has quite literally changed my life.

—Rita Jefferson, Class of ’17, Anthropology

There are many different types of financial aid you may receive for college, including grants, loans, work-study, and merit scholarships. You should take the time to acquaint yourself with the details of each. Understanding the different kinds of financial aid available to you will help you afford college and better make financial decisions along the way.

Use the Net Price Calculator for a rough estimate of your actual cost of attendance.

Further Financial Aid Tips

• Submit paperwork for financial aid when you apply to college. This way, your paperwork will not be late and the financial aid office will have adequate time to process it.
• Do not be shy about your family’s financial situation. Over half of the students at most selective institutions receive financial support.
• Understand that cost of attendance includes everything from money for pizza to textbooks. It’s not just tuition.

What if I don't have a Social Security Number?

The University of Chicago has, from its inception, been a place where the best and brightest minds from around the world can gather to shape ideas, produce new knowledge, and contribute to the betterment of human life. Our community has been steadfast in remaining deliberately inclusive, because it is from the widest possible range of perspectives and viewpoints that the most innovative ideas can be proposed, tested, debated, and improved. We are committed to assembling a community of talented individuals regardless of their backgrounds, financial circumstances, or national origins.

University of Chicago considers students from around the world for admission. All students who apply are also considered for every type of private financial aid for which they may qualify. In accordance with the law, the University admits, enrolls, and applies similar private aid policies to our undocumented students.

Again, the financial aid process can vary from school to school. Information on how UChicago handles international student aid can be found here.