Scholarships and Aid
Scholarships and Aid
Our mission is to make a W&L education affordable for all admitted students. All applicants including domestic, international and undocumented students are eligible and encouraged to apply for:
- Our merit scholarships, including our Johnson Scholarship, which awards at least full-tuition, room and board
- Our university need-based grants
- Additional aid in the forms of student employment, federal grants, and veterans benefits.
At W&L, our financial aid evaluation is not just a set of numbers plugged into a formula. We review each application and treat each family according to its circumstances. Washington and Lee University meets 100 percent of your demonstrated need entirely through scholarship, grants, and student employment.
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Financial Aid Deadlines
| Merit Application Deadline | |
|---|---|
| December 1 | Johnson Scholarship |
| To be considered for any form of merit scholarships, students must complete the Common App for admission and the Johnson Scholarship supplement | |
| Need-Based Grant Deadlines | |
| December 1 | Early Decision I Applicants |
| January 15 | Early Decision II Applicants |
| February 15 | Regular Decision Applicants |
| Award Notification Dates | |
| December 13 | Early Decision I |
| February 1 | Early Decision II |
| April 1 | Regular Decision |
Our Affordability
Merit Scholarships
The Johnson Scholarship Program awards full tuition, room and board scholarships each year to up to 44 exceptionally qualified students regardless of their family's circumstances. Each Johnson Scholar also receives financial support for summer opportunities such as internships, research and independent projects. In addition to the Johnson Scholarship, each year W&L offers several additional scholarships for which incoming first-year students may apply.
Our No-Loan Commitment
We award institutional, federal and state grants plus $2,000 in student employment to meet your individually-demonstrated need. No loan will be offered to meet any part of your demonstrated need. Federal loans for students and parents may be offered as an option to cover the family's contribution.
Graduate Debt-Free
Our generous grant packages meet the demonstrated need of our aid applicants and only a fraction of our families choose to take out optional loans to cover the family contribution. Over the past five years, an average of 67 percent of our undergraduate students graduated debt-free.
The W&L Promise
Any admitted undergraduate from a family with income below $100,000 and assets typical for their income will receive a grant equal to or greater than full tuition. Many will receive additional grant assistance to cover room, board, and other educational expenses.
Questbridge
QuestBridge is an organization that connects the nation's brightest students from low-income backgrounds with leading institutions of higher education.
Veterans and Yellow Ribbon
W&L is a strong supporter of Veterans and the VA educational programs, including Yellow Ribbon and tuition assistance. Students interested in participating in the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) may do so through a partnership with neighboring Virginia Military Institute. Two, three, and four year ROTC scholarships may be available. Currently, scholarships cover tuition and fees plus a significant stipend.
Award Stories
At first glance, a private college education may seem out of reach. We encourage you to look closer.
