Student Financial Aid
The Office of Student Financial Services, which includes the Offices of Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and Student Employment, administers all student financial aid programs.
Principles
Notre Dame subscribes to the principles of student financial aid administration as endorsed by the CSS/Financial Assistance Assembly of the College Board and the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. Notre Dame, along with the hundreds of other institutions, states, and organizations that follow these principles, includes demonstrated financial need as a criterion in awarding financial aid. In addition to a student’s academic and personal credentials, financial need is an essential factor in the awarding of the University’s scholarship/grant programs.
Cost of Attendance
The estimated average 2025–2026 Notre Dame undergraduate student expense budget includes:
| Direct Costs | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $67,607 |
| Housing and Food | $18,438 |
| Total | $86,045 |
In addition to the direct costs listed above, each student should plan for the cost of books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. Annual increases in costs should be anticipated. Further details may be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid website.
Family Responsibility
The University assumes parents will contribute to their children’s education to the extent they are capable as long as the student is enrolled as an undergraduate. Notre Dame cannot accept financial responsibility for students whose parents discontinue this support for reasons other than ability to pay. It is important to note that the family includes both the parents and the student.
Financial Need
Financial need is the difference between the estimated cost of attendance for the school year and the estimated family responsibility. Because several factors in this evaluation are subject to change from one year to the next, this evaluation is made annually for each student who applies for financial aid.
Notre Dame is committed to offering financial aid that is designed to meet the demonstrated financial need of a student through our need-based aid programs. In most cases this may include opportunities for scholarships, loans, and/or work. The total financial aid received by a student may not exceed the total cost of attendance.
Financial Aid Application Process
The CSS Profile Application and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) serve as the official applications for need-based financial aid, including University and club scholarship programs. Unless otherwise noted, additional applications are not required to be considered for all scholarship/grant programs the Office of Financial Aid administers.
A student should not wait for an admission decision before submitting the FAFSA and Profile. Applications for financial aid must be properly filed every year.
The FAFSA is available at fafsa.gov and should be filed according to the priority dates on the Office of Financial Aid website. The federal school code for identifying Notre Dame on the FAFSA is 001840.
The Profile is available at collegeboard.org and should be filed according to the priority dates on the Office of Financial Aid website. The Profile is required for University need-based scholarship consideration. Notre Dame’s CSS code for the Profile is 1841. Undocumented or DACA students should complete the CSS Profile only.
If a student’s parents are divorced or separated, the noncustodial parent must submit the CSS Noncustodial Profile application. The College Board will collect the noncustodial parent’s information through an online process.
Verification
Federal regulation requires the University to verify and document certain information provided by students and their families in relation to an application for assistance. The Office of Financial Aid reserves the right to request additional documentation and/or clarification of a family’s financial situation. Additional information is available on the Office of Financial Aid website.
International Students
Prospective students wishing to be considered for need-based financial aid must complete CSS Profile Application. The Profile is available at collegeboard.org and should be filed according to the priority dates on the Office of Financial Aid website. The Profile is required for University need-based scholarship consideration. Notre Dame’s CSS code for the Profile is 1841.
Financial Aid Programs
There are numerous types of financial aid opportunities for students. The process outlined above is that which the student follows for all aid programs administered by the University’s Office of Financial Aid.
Most aid programs will fall into one of three categories of assistance: scholarships/grants, student employment, or loans.
Scholarships/Grants
Scholarship/grant assistance is a type of aid that is free of repayment obligation.
Merit Scholarships
Notre Dame offers a limited number of merit scholarships to students accepted for admission as a first-time incoming freshman. Recipients demonstrate exceptional accomplishment, leadership, commitment to service, and intellectual promise. These scholarships are renewable for four years.
Notre Dame Scholarships
All students accepted for admission, who have completed the financial aid process as outlined above, are automatically considered for University scholarships. The level of University assistance is first based on demonstrated financial need.
Renewal of University scholarship assistance is based upon a review of students’ academic performance at the University and their annually demonstrated financial need. Based on the students’ admitted class level, University scholarship consideration is given for a maximum of eight semesters (10 semesters for the Architecture program and the combination five-year engineering program with the College of Arts and Letters). Students electing to remain at Notre Dame to pursue a second major, second degree, or dual-degree program are not eligible for University scholarships.
Students not receiving scholarship/grant assistance may be considered in subsequent years based on financial need and the availability of University scholarship resources.
Notre Dame Club Scholarships
All applicants who complete the FAFSA and the CSS Profile are considered for club scholarships. Students will be advised by participating clubs if any additional steps (e.g., interview, essay) might be required by the local club.
Federal Pell Grant
The Pell Grant is a nonrepayable grant made available by the federal government to eligible undergraduate students enrolled in a degree-granting program.
Notre Dame cooperates with the U.S. Department of Education in administering this program. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
The FAFSA serves as the application for the Pell program. Eligibility is determined by the Federal Methodology formula uniformly applied to all applicants.
Federal SEO Grant
The Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant (SEOG) assists students demonstrating exceptional financial need in accordance with guidelines and funding allocations established by the Department of Education and the Office of Financial Aid.
State Scholarships and Grants
Indiana provides need-based grants to Indiana residents attending Notre Dame.
Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)
Air Force, Army, and Naval (Navy & Marine Corps) ROTC scholarships are available on a competitive basis, and the military services award them based on merit and personal qualifications. Further information is available through high school guidance offices, military recruiting offices, and the ROTC Departments of the University.
Veterans Educational Benefits
Veterans’ benefits are approved by the Indiana State Approving Agency. Students who qualify to use educational benefits can find information on the certification process on the Office of the Registrar’s website, https://registrar.nd.edu/students/veteran_affairs.php.
Department of Veteran Affairs Pending Payment Policy
The University will not take any of the four following actions toward any student using the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Post9/11 G.I.Bill® (Ch. 33) or Veteran Readiness and Education (Ch. 31) benefits, while their payment from the VA is pending:
- Prevent their enrollment;
- Access a late penalty fee;
- Require they secure alternative or additional funding;
- Deny their access to any resources available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills.
However, to qualify for this provision, students using Ch. 33 or Ch. 31 benefits are required to:
- Produce the VA’s Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class;
- Confirm their use of VA benefits via a Benefit Election eForm.
Attention
Students utilizing Department of Veteran Affairs Education Benefits—The current policy does not permit Notre Dame to certify educational benefits for our study abroad programs listed in this bulletin. Students can still participate in these programs, however, VA funds cannot be certified or applied for these courses. Any tuition and fees for these courses would be the responsibility of the student to fund through other means.
Other Federal Assistance Benefits
Certain students may be eligible for special forms of federal agency benefits. Among these agencies are Americorps and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Further details may be obtained through the appropriate local office of the particular agency.
Private Scholarships
Many private organizations provide financial assistance to Notre Dame students. Scholarship information may be obtained by contacting civic, professional, religious, and other community organizations. The College Board’s Scholarship Search and fastweb.com provide scholarship search information. Caution is advised with respect to the use of fee-based scholarship search enterprises.
Student Employment
Part-time employment opportunities, including those offered through the need-based federal work-study and paid community service programs, as well as other programs, are intended to help the student pay for personal and other related educational expenses.
The amount of employment eligibility indicated in the FAO is an estimate of potential earnings and not a guarantee of employment or earnings. Student employees average 10–12 hours of work per week.
Loans
Borrowing a student loan is a matter that should be undertaken with the greatest of deliberation and with full knowledge of the responsibilities involved. In addition, all borrowers are advised of their loan repayment options and obligations upon entering and leaving the University. In an effort to provide additional information regarding a borrower’s rights and responsibilities, the Office of Financial Aid offers general counseling to all borrowers.
Federal Direct Student Loan Program
Direct Loans, from the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, are low-interest rate loans available to eligible students to help offset the cost of higher education. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education. The Direct Loan Program includes subsidized and unsubsidized loans. For additional information on the terms and conditions of Direct Loans visit https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/ types/loans.
Private Loans
After exhausting the opportunities available from the federal aid programs, many students will consider private loan programs as a source of funding. The terms and conditions of these programs vary, and as such, students are encouraged to review the details of the programs before selecting a private loan program. Additional information may be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid or its website.
Other
Monthly Payment Plan
The University makes available a monthly payment plan. Additional information is available in the Fees and Expenses section of this Bulletin.
Federal Direct PLUS
Parents of dependent students who have a valid FAFSA on file and whose student is enrolled at least half-time may apply for the Direct PLUS Loan. The parent must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Direct PLUS Loan applications are subject to Department of Education credit review. For additional information on the terms and conditions of Direct Loans visit https://studentaid. gov/understand-aid/types/loans/plus. Note: program is subject to federal legislative changes.