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Affordability

THE PRINCIPIA INVESTMENT

Principia recognizes that a college education is a valuable investment.  We believe that a family’s financial circumstances should not be a barrier to accessing a Principia education.  Principia is committed to providing a comprehensive, need-based financial aid program that seeks to bring the college’s academic opportunities within reach of all students.

100%
OF DEMONSTRATED NEED MET

Principia College offers institutional scholarships and need-based financial aid to help offset the cost of tuition, room and board and meet the full demonstrated financial need of all students. So, the actual cost to consider is what remains AFTER scholarships, grants, and loans have been applied. This remainder is often referred to as the net price. Your actual cost will be unique to you and tailored to your family’s situation, taking into consideration merit scholarship, demonstrated financial need levels, and other criteria.

BUT COLLEGE IS EXPENSIVE, RIGHT?

True, especially if you look at the sticker price alone, but Principia is committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of all students.  Use our Net Price Calculator to get an estimate of your net price and aid eligibility today!

WHAT TYPES OF AID ARE AVAILABLE?

There are three main types of financial support you may qualify to receive. Your financial aid package may combine some or all of these items to help defray the cost of your Principia education.

  1. Scholarships & Merit Aid 
    You are automatically considered for all academic merit scholarships when you complete your admissions application. Other affiliate scholarships and merit awards may require separate application steps or eligibility verification.  This information will be made available to you during the admissions process.  Scholarship and merit awards are gift awards and do not have to be repaid.
    Scholarships
  2. Need-Based Grants
    Principia College does not use or accept any federal or state funding. Instead, we use our own institutional funding, and we award this money based on demonstrated financial need. This is also money that does not have to be repaid.
  3. Self-Help
    Student Loans – $7,500 per year

    That’s the maximum loan amount that Principia includes in a student award package per year.  This is to ensure that our students do not graduate with crushing levels of debt.

    Among Principia students who have taken out loans, their average four-year loan amount is around $25,000. The national average for college student loan debt in 2021 was reported to be around $37,014. (Source: credit.com)

Contact Us

Principia College
Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships
1 Maybeck Place
Elsah, IL 62028-9799

618.374.5187
618.374.5929 (fax)
finaid@principia.edu

WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT OUR AFFORDABILITY

Principia College is frequently recognized for value and affordability. Here are a few recent reviews and rankings:

#1 Best Value
National Liberal Arts College

USNewsBestLiberalArtsColleges

#1 National Liberal Arts College
In the St Louis Area

USNewsBestLiberalArtsColleges

 

Of course, an affordable education isn’t much of a bargain unless it comes with exceptional value—and students graduate from Principia with a long list of noteworthy accomplishments and are well prepared for wherever their journey takes them.

BOTTOM LINE: WE'RE READY TO INVEST IN YOU!