Opportunity Vanderbilt makes it happen

At Vanderbilt, we believe cost should never be a barrier to a world-class education. That’s why we provide a full-tuition scholarship for all households with income of $150K* or less. Also, many households with income of more than $150K still receive an Opportunity Vanderbilt award.

*assuming typical assets

students showing the VU hand sign at Founders Walk

Households with income of less than $150K typically receive Opportunity Vanderbilt awards greater than full tuition to also support housing, food, and other expenses.

  • See award information for families making less than $150K
    Parent Income Range Median Annual Award
    $0–49,999 $90,641
    $50,000–74,999 $88,584
    $75,000–99,999 $83,959
    $100,000–124,999 $74,645
    $125,000–149,999 $70,359

    Need-based awards for first year students entering fall 2023.

Many households with income of more than $150K still receive an Opportunity Vanderbilt award.

  • See award information for families making more than $150K
    Parent Income Range Median Annual Award
    $150,000–174,999 $62,654
    $175,000–199,999 $56,111
    $200,000+ $39,937

    Need-based awards for first year students entering fall 2023.

students in graduation attire showing the VU handsign

Opportunity Vanderbilt makes it happen

Vanderbilt makes three commitments to cultivate a community of talented scholars from all social, cultural, and economic backgrounds.

  1. For U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens, your ability to pay is not part of the admission decision.
    When we read your application, we consider academics, school and community involvement, and other factors, but not your family’s financial situation. Not all colleges practice this, but Vanderbilt does.
  2. We meet 100% of your family’s demonstrated financial need.
    Not all schools commit to fully meeting your demonstrated need, but Vanderbilt does.
  3. Your financial aid award will not include loans.
    Our aid awards include scholarship money that does not require repayment. Some schools include federal student loans or institutional loans in aid awards. Vanderbilt does not.
How to Apply for Opportunity Vanderbilt

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do you define “typical assets?”

    We generally consider “typical assets” to be a total net worth of less than $250,000 for the parent(s) and/or $150,000 for the student. Total net worth usually reflects the sum of the following amounts:

    • Cash, savings, checking
    • Investments
    • Equity in real estate (excluding the family’s principal place of residence)
    • Business net worth
    • Parental assets held in the names of the applicant's siblings

    We do not include formal retirement assets (401k, 403b, IRA, Keogh) nor equity in the family’s principal place of residence in our analysis. The Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships reserves the right to make the final determination of what the family is expected to pay (the expected family contribution) in consideration of all factors affecting a family’s overall financial situation.

  • How do you define “household income" for the purposes of determining eligibility for our $150,000 pledge?

    For students required to include parent income, household income is defined as the parent adjusted gross income (AGI) or equivalent plus all other untaxed income reported on the CSS Profile application. If the parent AGI or equivalent is a negative number, this number is calculated as a zero. For students not required to include parent information, the AGI or equivalent and untaxed income amounts are for the student only. The Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships reserves the right to make the final determination of what the family is expected to pay (the expected family contribution) in consideration of all factors affecting a family’s overall financial situation and ability to pay.

    Other untaxed income includes:

    • Child support received
    • Social Security benefits
    • Untaxed Alimony
    • Individual IRA or Keogh deductions
    • Untaxed IRA distributions
    • Untaxed pensions or annuities distributions
    • Pension savings deduction
    • HSA pre-tax contributions
    • HSA deductions
    • Foreign income exclusion
    • Veteran’s non-educational benefits
    • Tax-exempt interest
    • Living allowances
    • Military housing allowance
    • Other untaxed income not listed above
  • What types of scholarship and grant assistance are used to provide the full-tuition scholarship for households with income of $150K or less (assuming typical assets)?

    Vanderbilt’s full-tuition scholarship pledge can be funded based upon the following types of financial assistance administered by Vanderbilt:

    • Vanderbilt need-based assistance
    • Vanderbilt merit-based assistance including Athletics
    • Vanderbilt Faculty-Staff tuition benefit
    • State of Tennessee General Merit Assembly Scholarship
    • State of Tennessee Aspire Scholarship
    • State of Tennessee Hope Scholarship
    • State of Tennessee Ned McWherter Scholarship
    • Federal Pell Grant
    • Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (Federal SEOG)
    • Tennessee Student Assistance Award
    • Outside sources of assistance that have all or a portion of those dollars specifically designated for tuition (eg., outside tuition benefit, VA Benefits, ROTC Scholarships)
  • Are international students eligible for financial aid?

    Vanderbilt offers need-based scholarships to a limited number of international undergraduate applicants. If you indicate on your application for admission that you are seeking need-based assistance, the admission decision will be made on a need-aware basis. Applications from international citizens who apply for need-based assistance will be reviewed among all international applicants seeking need-based assistance, and will be chosen based on an evaluation of academic qualities, leadership and community engagement, financial need, and availability of resources. Learn more about financial aid for international students.

  • How does the FAFSA application relate to Opportunity Vanderbilt financial aid awards?

    For domestic (non-international) students applying for need-based financial aid, Vanderbilt requires both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA Application) and the CSS Profile. Both applications are required so students are considered for the maximum amount of financial aid for which they qualify from all sources, including federal student aid.

  • How do I apply for Opportunity Vanderbilt?

    To apply for Opportunity Vanderbilt need-based financial aid as a new student, you first apply for admission, then submit the following required financial aid documents:

    See full application details on the website of the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.

  • How can Opportunity Vanderbilt help me pay for college?

    If you need financial help, Opportunity Vanderbilt can help you pay for college. Most students who qualify for tuition assistance through Opportunity Vanderbilt receive funds greater than the cost of tuition to also support housing, food and other expenses that you will have when attending Vanderbilt.

    To understand how Opportunity Vanderbilt could help you, use our net price calculators to estimate your need-based financial aid eligibility.

  • How does Vanderbilt calculate eligibility for Opportunity Vanderbilt?

    Vanderbilt uses the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and tax documents to calculate your family’s expected contribution. Income is only one consideration when determining eligibility for need-based financial aid. Other significant factors include, but are not limited to, family size, number of children in college, private elementary and secondary tuition expenses and family assets.

"Getting into college is one thing, but that doesn't always mean you can afford it. Lucky for me, Vanderbilt is one of the most financially inclusive schools"

portrait of current student Cristian Ochoa Cristian Ochoa
Current student, Class of 2023

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