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Types of Financial Assistance

A financial aid recipient may be granted one or more forms of assistance. Students receiving grants are usually also eligible for loans and campus employment as part of their "package." Some different forms of financial aid are listed below.;

Merit Scholarships

These awards are designed to recognize the exemplary academic performance of students without regard to financial need. The merit scholarship will be the first component of any need-based financial aid award. Learn more

Grants

Grants (outright gifts) may be made from the college's own endowment, from state or Federal sources, or from outside agency funds. Most grants are based on demonstrated financial need.

State Grant Information

  • Pennsylvania State GrantThe Pennsylvania State Grant is funded by the Commonwealth and awarded by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) to undergraduate Pennsylvania residents who demonstrate high financial need. 
  • Out-of-State Grants for residents of Delaware, MassachusettsOhio, Vermont, and West Virginia These states currently have a reciprocal grant program with Pennsylvania.

Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program – Pennsylvania Residents Only.  The Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program provides a waiver for tuition and mandatory fees charged by most postsecondary institutions located in the Commonwealth for youth who are or were in foster care. This waiver applies only to tuition and mandatory fee charges that remain after all other gift aid (federal, state, and other scholarships or grants) have been applied to the student’s account. Please contact Erica Burg, Senior Associate Director Financial Aid for additional information. 

Campus Employment

Most students receiving assistance are offered campus employment of up to 12 hours per week in exchange for wages which help defray expenses. Campus jobs are provided using funds from the Federal Work-Study Program or from Dickinson's own funds. Learn more

Student Loans

Several low-interest loan programs are available to students who demonstrate financial need. The Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is available through the Department of Education.  This loan features a federal subsidy, which means repayment does not begin until after the student finishes school. Deferments are available for graduate study and a variety of other reasons. The Abe and Cora Hurwitz student loan is a low-interest Dickinson loan offered to students on a combined basis of academic merit and financial need. Learn more

Outside Scholarships

Any student receiving financial aid who also receives scholarships, loans, tuition remission, or support from a source other than the college, must report the additional aid to the Dickinson Financial Aid Office. Such assistance can impact the student's eligibility for assistance from federal and institutional resources. The total amount of aid received by the student cannot exceed need as computed by federally approved methodology. The college will always reduce or eliminate self-help (loans or work) before reducing grant aid. Learn more

VA Benefits

Distributed through the VA for eligible veterans, service members, and qualified family members. They may receive up to 100% of their tuition paid for, as well as books and supplies, and a housing allowance. These benefits open new doors for eligible students by giving them unprecedented access to higher education. Learn more