Admissions & Aid

Financial Aid Overview

Students converse while walking past the Mudd Center.

Photo credit: Nathaniel Liu

At Oberlin College, our financial aid policies reflect a historic commitment to inclusion and academic excellence. Oberlin’s financial aid packages meet 100 percent of demonstrated need for every admitted student, as calculated by the Office of Financial Aid. More than two-thirds of students receive need-based assistance.

Average debt at graduation is less than half of the national average
$0 The College of Arts & Sciences has no application fee
Range of scholarships at Oberlin $10,000 to $83,000+
$47,125 Average financial aid package
100% Students receiving need-based or merit aid
Oberlin meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all students

An Introduction to Financial Aid at Oberlin

Director of Financial Aid Michelle Kosboth and students Nova G. and Marissa K. tell you everything you need to know about financial aid.

We set aside over $100 million for student grants and scholarships each year.

Federal student loans have a low fixed interest rate and must be paid back.

Part-time federal work-study jobs pay an hourly wage on campus and count as part of your financial aid package.

Applying for Aid

Prospective Students

For prospective and transfer applicants (including Canadian citizens and U.S. citizens living outside the United States).

Prospective Students: Get Started

International Students

Oberlin provides grants, scholarships, loans, and on-campus employment to international students to meet 100% of their calculated financial need.

International Students: Get Started

Returning Students

For students who have received financial aid from Oberlin in a prior year and who are returning to campus for the next academic year.

Returning Students: Get Started

Aid Package Examples

Every family’s situation is unique, so we tailor your aid package to your needs. Here are a few examples of what an aid package might look like under different circumstances. Please note that the grant listed in each example may include both need-based and merit-based aid.

Family 1

  • 4 in household, 1 in college
  • $41,600 income
  • $0 family assets

Aid package

Grant
$81,285
Student loan
$5,500
Student employment
$2,700
Family contribution
$2,700

Family 2

  • 2 in household, 1 in college
  • $75,000 income
  • $200,000 home equity, no savings

Aid package

Grant
$60,600
Student loan
$5,500
Student employment
$2,700
Family contribution
$22,000

Family 3

  • 3 in household, 2 in college
  • $95,000 income
  • $10,000 savings, $100,000 home equity

Aid package

Grant
$56,000
Student loan
$5,500
Student employment
$2,700
Family contribution
$32,000

Family 4

  • 4 in household, 2 in college
  • $140,000 income
  • $8,000 savings, $100,000 home equity

Aid package

Grant
$70,000
Student loan
$5,500
Student employment
$2,700
Family contribution
$30,000

Family 5

  • 4 in household, 1 in college
  • $160,000 income
  • $10,000 savings, $300,000 home equity

Aid package

Grant
$65,000
Student loan
$5,500
Student employment
$2,700
Family contribution
$35,000

Family 6

  • 4 in household, 2 in college
  • $250,000 income
  • $12,000 savings, $1 million home equity

Aid package

Grant
$42,000
Student loan
$5,500
Student employment
$2,700
Family contribution
$44,000

Estimating Cost

MyinTuition Quick Cost Estimator

Answer six straightforward questions to see an estimate of your financial aid award.

Try the Quick Cost Estimator

Additional Resources

Next Steps

Get in touch; we would love to chat.

Exterior of the Carnegie building.

Photo credit: Yevhen Gulenko