by our College Data Analytics TeamThe total cost of attendance at Amherst College can seem overwhelming, but remember that the majority of students receive some sort of financial assistance. This could be in the form of scholarships, grants, work-study, or loans.
However, some types of financial aid are definitely more desireable than others, and some students will receive more aid than others.Find out more by scrolling down the page.
Amherst College average financial aid offer for freshmen students is $57,918.00. Financial aid is provided to about 65% of first-year students, with the bulk of support coming in the form of grants and scholarships.
Loans are included in the umbrella of ‘financial aid’, even so, the only true discount from the cost of college is a grant or scholarship that you don’t have to pay back.
Student debt should be thought of as an “outcome” rather than “aid”. Read more about student loan debt at Amherst College.
Institutional scholarships and grants refer to financial aid provided directly by a college or university to support students in covering their educational expenses. These awards can be either merit-based or need-based and do not require repayment. Merit-based institutional scholarships reward students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievements, talents, or skills in specific areas. Such scholarships often take into account a student’s high school performance, standardized test scores, or extracurricular activities. On the other hand, need-based institutional grants are allocated to students who exhibit financial need. The amount awarded is usually determined by the student’s family’s financial circumstances and aims to cover the difference between the cost of attendance and the family’s capacity to pay. To assess eligibility for need-based grants, colleges and universities may use information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or other financial aid forms. Institutional scholarships and grants play a crucial role in assisting students, as they can considerably lower the cost of college and make higher education more attainable.
The following numbers apply to scholarships and grants largely offered by the school itself.
57% of incoming freshmen (268 total) were given scholarships at Amherst College, averaging $55,252.00 per student. This puts it the top 25th percentile among colleges and universities nationwide.
As well as scholarships, 24% of freshmen (112 total) obtained a federal grant, for about $5,951.00 a piece.
The next table demonstrates grant and scholarship distributions by income level for freshmen getting any form of federally-funded Title IV aid, which includes Federal PLUS loans.
| Income Level | Percent of Freshman | Average Assistance |
|---|---|---|
| Income 0-30k | 11.49% | $72,282.00 |
| Income 30k-48k | 7.23% | $72,291.00 |
| Income 48k-75k | 5.96% | $68,957.00 |
| Income 75k-110k | 4.47% | $55,032.00 |
| Income 110k + | 11.28% | $26,482.00 |
The table above shows undergrads who are getting Title IV aid, which is federal assistance from the government in the form of grants, loans, and work-study. Learn more here.
268 Amherst undergrads obtain grant aid (this is about 65% of the entire undergraduate student population). The average amount these students receive is $57,918.00.
Check out the Tuition and Fees page or the Cost Per Credit Hour page to find out more.
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.