Frequently Asked Questions
What is the financial aid policy at Holy Cross?
Does applying for financial aid impact the admissions decision?
Does Holy Cross offer merit scholarships?
What happens if a family’s financial situation changes after the student enrolls?
How does Holy Cross determine need?
What is the financial aid policy at Holy Cross?
Very simply: We want to bring the very best students to Holy Cross, regardless of their ability to pay. To create a truly diverse community of students from various backgrounds and experiences, the College meets 100% of the documented financial need of every admitted student. Our goal is to bridge the gap between the cost of education and what you can afford to pay. More than half of Holy Cross students receive some form of need-based financial assistance. Several options are available to aid you in the financing of your Holy Cross education (U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for financial aid).
Does applying for financial aid impact the admissions decision?
No. Each admission decision is made without consideration of a candidate's financial need. This need-blind admissions policy means that no student will be denied admission due to a lack of financial resources.
Does Holy Cross offer merit scholarships?
No. Holy Cross is firmly committed to allocating resources to sustain our policies of need-blind admissions and need-based financial aid. Furthermore, our talented students are chosen in a highly competitive admissions process, which would be complicated by trying to determine a fair way to distribute merit-based awards.
What happens if a family’s financial situation changes after the student enrolls?
We adjust individual financial aid packages to accommodate significant changes in a family's financial situation. Students apply for financial assistance each year, and we will meet students' demonstrated need for all four years.
How does Holy Cross determine need?
Your need is calculated based on the information you provide on your CSS PROFILE, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), federal tax forms, and any other additional information you may provide directly to the College.
Typical financial aid packages are made up of a combination of scholarships and grants; student loan programs; and work-study. In most cases, financial aid does not meet the total cost of attending Holy Cross. Many Family Financing Options are available to help bridge the financial gap.