Scholarship for Undergraduate and Postgraduate at Yale University

Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships and other grants are often referred to as gift aid, because they do not need to be repaid. Such gift aid falls into one of three categories in the Yale financial aid award:

• Yale Scholarship
• merit-based scholarships
• entitlement grants

U.S. veterans and service members may also choose to use their military education benefits at Yale.

• Military Benefits and Financial Aid
• VA Education and Training website(link is external)

Yale Scholarship

Yale’s need-based grant aid for undergraduates, the Yale Scholarship, is a gift and thus never has to be repaid. If a student is awarded financial aid, the Yale Scholarship amount is included on the Financial Aid Award Letter.

The Yale Scholarship can vary from a few hundred dollars to over $70,000 per year; the average Yale need-based scholarship is over $50,000. For additional statistics, see Affordability. Area Yale Club awards, endowed scholarships, and other gift aid from Yale’s alumni and friends may be used as grants in place of some Yale Scholarship funds.

Merit-based scholarships

While Yale does not award merit-based scholarships, Yale students often qualify for merit awards from other organizations. Criteria for receiving merit scholarships are directly linked to a student’s performance in academics, sports, music, or another field of special interest. Potential sources for merit-based awards include:

• private companies
• employers
• nonprofit organizations

You can find resources to help you search for merit-based scholarships under Sources for Outside Aid.

We encourage you to pursue outside aid awards, which can significantly reduce or eliminate your Student Effort amount (see below). All outside aid that is paid directly to Yale is included on the term bill as anticipated credits, thus reducing the amount due.

How merit scholarships affect the financial aid award

For students on financial aid, outside merit scholarships may reduce their Student Effort.

• Merit scholarships first reduce the Student Campus Employment Option.
• If outside aid exceeds the Student Campus Employment Option amount, remaining funds may reduce the Student Share.
• Amounts that exceed the total Student Effort reduce Yale Scholarship.
  ⇒Please note: Some merit scholarships, such as the Gates Millennium Scholarship and NCAA Grant, may also cover the cost of Yale Health hospitalization/specialty care insurance. If allowed by the awarding agency, a merit scholarship may also cover the cost of a computer for incoming students whose outside aid exceeds the Student Effort. If you have questions about whether these circumstances apply to you, contact our office.

Entitlement grants

Entitlement grants are awarded by the federal government, state agencies, or other agencies not affiliated with Yale. The criteria for receiving entitlements are based on federal need, city or state of residence, or affiliation with an employer. An entitlement grant may have a merit component, but if the student would not receive the resource without need, the resource is generally considered an entitlement.

Examples of entitlement grants include:

• federal Pell Grants(link is external) and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants(link is external) (SEOG)
• state grants(link is external)
• employer tuition benefits
• Yale Club or Association Scholarships

Entitlement grants reduce Yale Scholarship dollar for dollar.