Yale offers generous need-based financial aid to eligible Eli Whitney students, meeting the full demonstrated financial of every student with scholarships. Financial aid offers are designed to cover the full cost of attendance: tuition, fees, housing, food, and estimates for course material, personal expenses, and travel.
Yale does not use student loans to meet financial need. Instead, Yale financial aid offers include a Yale Scholarship equal to the amount of demonstrated financial need. Eli Whitney students are considered independent for financial aid purposes; their parents are not expected to contribute financially and are not required to provide documentation to complete the financial aid application process. Students who would like to consider using a loan to finance some or all their net costs may contact Undergraduate Financial Aid to explore their options.
Students in the Eli Whitney program may enroll either full time or part time. To support those who study part time, Yale determines a student’s maximum number of funded terms as 150% of the remaining program length at the time of matriculation, based on the student’s transfer credit report.
For example, an incoming Eli Whitney student entering as the equivalent of a first-term junior would qualify for up to 6 terms of financial aid rather than the standard 4 (4 × 150% = 6). Similarly, a student entering as the equivalent of a first-term sophomore would be eligible for up to 9 terms of aid instead of 6 (6 × 150% = 9).
Eli Whitney students live off campus or in graduate housing. For students with demonstrated financial need, financial aid offers include an estimate for housing expenses that is equivalent to the cost of a standard Yale undergraduate room. Although the actual cost of off-campus living or graduate housing may differ from the cost of a Yale College room, there are many affordable rental options in New Haven.
Veterans of the U.S. armed forces may choose to use their military education solely, or in addition to applying for need-based Yale financial aid. Yale is a participant in the Yellow Ribbon program. Review Military Benefits and Financial Aid for more information.
Yale College students receiving need-based financial aid and with qualifying childcare expenses will be eligible for dependent child support of up to $4,900 while they are engaged in education-related activities during the academic year, plus an additional $1,000 per additional dependent child under the age of six.
Review instructions for applying from the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid. The financial aid application deadline is April 1.
Yale admits students without regard to their ability to pay and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need. For all students. Without loans.
The Eli Whitney Program is for adult learners who do not hold a bachelor’s degree.
The Eli Whitney application includes personal statements, letters of recommendation, and academic history.
Learn how special financial policies make a Yale education affordable for all Eli Whitney students.
Meet current Eli Whitney students whose life journeys have taken them around the world and to Yale.
