Two-thirds of all Wooster students receive aid to help meet their demonstrated financial need. This aid helps make up the difference between what a student and his or her family can be expected to afford and the full cost of a Wooster education, which includes tuition, room, and board ($40,022 for 2007-2008), and allowances for course materials, personal expenses, and travel. Financial aid is awarded to every full-time Wooster student who needs it, for all four years. All applicants for need-based aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the supplementary Wooster aid application annually.

In 2007-2008, Wooster students demonstrating financial need are receiving aid in excess of $28 million. This aid comes from the federal and state governments, private foundations, and scholarship programs. Most of the aid--over $17 million-- comes from Wooster itself in the form of need-based grants and merit scholarships.

Need-based financial aid can take the form of

grants or scholarships (which do not have to be repaid);
part-time campus employment; and
student loans (which typically are repaid after the student completes his or her college education).

In 2007-2008 the typical need-based aid award to Wooster students includes:

$14,500 in Wooster grants and scholarships (63% of total)
$ 2,200 in federal and state grants (9% of total)
$ 1,500 in work study (6% of total), and
$ 5,000 in guaranteed student loans (22% of total),

for a total of $23,200

At Wooster you are not required to work or accept loans. Your Wooster grants will not be reduced if you decline a loan or campus job.

As a member of the NCAA Division III, Wooster does not award athletic scholarships, but student-athletes may receive both need-based aid and academic scholarships. The following information applies to U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens; international applicants should request specific information from the Coordinator of International Admissions.

Financial aid awards to students with demonstrated need may include:

Endowed Scholarships: Scholarships endowed by friends of the College are awarded to students with financial need according to the stipulations of the donors. They are described in the section of the catalogue entitled Endowed Scholarships.

College of Wooster need-based Grants

Federal Pell Grants: Federal Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students according to a federal eligibility formula. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the Pell Grant application. Depending on their academic criteria, Pell recipients at Wooster may also qualify for the Academic Competitiveness Grant (for first-years and sophomores) and the SMART Grant (for juniors and seniors majoring in certain disciplines).

Other Federal Programs: Wooster receives and awards Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants to those who qualify on the basis of extreme need. The College participates in the Federal Work-Study Program (including community service positions). Learn about all of the federal aid programs at the federal student aid webpage.

State of Ohio Grants: The Ohio College Opportunity Grant is awarded to low-income Ohio students. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the application for this award. Learn more about this grant and other state grant programs at the Ohio Board of Regents grant webpage.

Ohio Student Choice Grant Program The Choice Grant Program provides State of Ohio grant funds to Ohio residents enrolled full-time in private Ohio colleges without regard to need. The Choice Grant amount for 2007-2008 is $660.

Other State Scholarship Programs Several states offer scholarships which can be used at The College of Wooster.

Student Employment Priority for part-time student employment on campus is determined by the Office of Financial Aid. Students seeking part-time jobs should visit the Student Employment Office, located in the Human Resources Center on Wayne Avenue. This office maintains a listing of available work opportunities and coordinates employment on campus. Jobs are usually available in Dining Services, the library, and departmental and administrative offices.

Loans Several federal and private loan programs enable students and their parents to borrow money for educational expenses on favorable terms.