Vanderbilt's Three Commitments

Because talent and promise recognize no social, cultural, economic or geographical boundaries, we are committed to making a Vanderbilt education accessible and affordable to all admitted students. We understand that providing for a college experience is one of the largest single investments a family will make, and we believe strongly that a Vanderbilt education is well worth the investment. Our financial aid policies and our Expanded Aid Program reflect our belief that a Vanderbilt education should be accessible to all qualified students regardless of their economic circumstances. The Office of Student Financial Aid and Undergraduate Scholarships individually reviews every application for financial aid and works closely with each family to help make a Vanderbilt education affordable.

We make three important commitments which reflect our continuing dedication to making a Vanderbilt education possible:

1. First: Our admissions process is entirely need-blind – your family's ability to pay is not a factor in our admissions process.
2. Second: Vanderbilt will meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens.
3. Third: Financial aid awards do not include loans. With our Expanded Aid Program, Vanderbilt's financial aid packages for undergraduate students include only grant assistance and a reasonable work expectation.

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Cost of Attendance

The estimated average costs for full–time undergraduate students attending Vanderbilt University for academic year 2009–10 are:

Tuition	$37,632
Activities/Rec Center Fee	$946
Housing	$8,200
Meals	$4,450
Transcript Fee (one-time payment)	$30
Books and Supplies	$1,292
Personal Expenses	$2,198
First-Year Experience Fee	$6,20
Travel Allowance	Varies
TOTAL	$55,368 (plus travel)

First-Year Engineering Laptop Allowance – $1,500

Laboratory Fee (Engineering upperclassmen only) – $650

*The Engineering Laptop Allowance and Laboratory Fee apply to engineering students only. First-year engineering students are required to either purchase a laptop from Vanderbilt or provide their own computer that meets published requirements.

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Applying for Financial Aid

Steps in applying for financial aid:

1. Submit the College Scholarship Service Financial Aid PROFILE CSS PROFILE, school code 1871.
2. Submit the 2010-11 Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA), school code 003535.
3. Submit copies of your and your parents' 2009 federal tax return with all attachments and W-2 forms to our office as soon as they are complete/available.

These can be mailed to:

2309 West End Ave
Nashville, TN, 37203-1725

For more specific instructions and information about applying for financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid and Undergraduate Scholarships.

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Financial Aid Deadlines

For complete list of financial aid deadlines, visit http://www.vanderbilt.edu/financialaid/fincal.htm.

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Financial Aid Fast Facts

• The amount of need-based financial aid awarded to a family is the difference between the amount a student and family are expected to pay toward college (expected family contribution) and the total cost of attendance.
• The average financial aid package for first-year students entering fall of 2009 who were offered need-based assistance included 97% gift aid and 3% work.
• While loans are not included in financial aid packages, under certain conditions and based upon individual family circumstances or desires, loans from federal and other sources may be made available to students upon their request to replace any work expectation in the award or to replace some portion of the expected family contribution.
• Total amount of gift assistance, from all sources, awarded to first-year undergraduate students for the 2009/10 academic year: $34,260,029
• Undergraduate students receiving financial aid (need-based and/or merit-based) for the 2009/10 academic year: 60%+
• Average financial aid package for 2009/10 academic year: $40,600
• First-year applicants awarded merit-based scholarships: 5%

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Financial Aid for International Students

Need-Based Aid for International Citizens

Vanderbilt University will offer need-based financial aid to a limited number of international undergraduate applicants. International students should be prepared to finance, either privately or through a sponsor, the full cost of their Vanderbilt education. A student requesting consideration for need-based financial aid is required to submit the International Student Financial Aid Application showing their sources of financial support. Please know that by requesting consideration for need-based aid admission to Vanderbilt is then "need aware." Those international students who demonstrate they can afford the cost of attending Vanderbilt will be given preferential treatment in the admission process. International citizens who apply through Regular Decision and request need-based aid will be reviewed as a separate group. Based upon an evaluation of academic qualities, financial need, and availability of resources, an international student may be considered for financial assistance.

Investigate other possible sources of financial aid.

Need-Based Aid for U.S. Citizens Abroad and U.S. Permanent Residents

U.S. citizens living abroad and permanent residents of the U.S. are eligible to receive need-based financial assistance from one of the strongest need-based financial aid programs in the country. Vanderbilt is proud to offer need-blind admission and meet 100 percent of each student's financial need with generous aid packages that do not include institutional loans. Vanderbilt's need-based aid program is designed to encourage all qualified U.S. citizens and permanent residents – regardless of financial circumstances – to consider applying for admission to Vanderbilt. Cost should not be a barrier to access, so Vanderbilt's no-loan financial aid program has no income cutoff and every family who feels they may need help paying for a Vanderbilt education should apply for financial assistance.

To apply for need-based financial aid U.S. citizens abroad and permanent residents should submit the following:

1. A completed College Scholarship Service Financial Aid Profile (CSS PROFILE)
2. A completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
3. Official copies of your or your parents' most recent text return with all attachments and W-2 forms to the Office of Student Financial Aid and Undergraduate Scholarships as soon as they are complete or available

Possible Alternate Sources of Financial Aid

International students are encouraged to explore the possibilities of external assistance when financing a Vanderbilt education. Corporations, foundations, service organizations, religious groups, parent and school associations, etc. sponsor numerous educational assistance programs. International students are also encouraged to explore the International Education Financial Aid (IEFA) website for information regarding scholarships and loans.

The following organizations and agencies may be helpful resources in locating financial aid. Students are invited to make inquiries. Vanderbilt is not associated with, nor endorses any of the following organizations, but is pleased to provide a sampling of many similar organizations in the U.S. and around the world.

eduPass – The SmartStudent Guide for Studying in the USA

International Student Loan Program

The African American Institute (AAI)
833 United Nations Plaza
New York, New York 10017-3581

AAI
1320 – 19th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036-1679

Institute for International Education (IIE)
833 United Nations Plaza
New York, New York 10017-3581

International Human Assistance Program
360 Park Avenue South
New York, New York 10010-1769

Service (AMIDEAST)
Suite 1001717 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W
Washington, D.C. 20036-4601
(AMIDEAST has several field offices in various countries in the Middle East.)

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Merit-Based Scholarships

Please visit www.vanderbilt.edu/scholarships for more information about our merit-based scholarships.

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Student Employment

Please visit www.vanderbilt.edu/studentemployment for in-depth information about our student employment.

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Financial Aid: