The Colgate Commitment

A financial aid initiative for access and affordability.

The Colgate Commitment marks a milestone in the University’s progress to make a Colgate education affordable to as many talented, high-achieving students as possible, regardless of their socioeconomic background.

For eligible students based on total family income and assets, this comprehensive financial aid initiative will eliminate tuition, significantly reduce student debt, and/or adjust tuition based on the family's income levels.

The Composition of the Colgate Commitment

Full Tuition Support 

Students with an annual family income* of $175,000 or less will generally attend Colgate tuition-free.

Removing Loans

Students with annual family income* levels up to $200,000 will generally** have their demonstrated need met with a financial aid package that does not include loans.

Aligning Income and Tuition Costs

Students with annual family income* levels between $175,000 and $300,000 will generally** pay a percentage of annual income toward tuition.

Academic and Experiential Opportunities 

Financial aid offers, which typically include grants and work-study, may extend beyond tuition to support all cost of attendance elements, such as average costs for textbooks.

The Colgate Commitment by Total Family Income 

Because every family’s situation is unique, Colgate also considers assets when determining eligibility for awards under the Colgate Commitment. If your family’s assets are significantly higher than typical for your family’s income level, that may affect the amount of available aid, which may be different than the averages noted here.

$175,000 or less

  • Generally tuition-free**
  • No-loan eligible

$175,000–$200,000

  • Generally expected to pay 5% of income toward tuition**
  • No-loan eligible

$200,000–$250,000

  • Generally expected to pay 7% of income toward tuition
  • Aid offers may include loans
     

$250,000–$300,000

  • Generally expected to pay 10% of income toward tuition**
  • Aid offers may include loans

$300,000+

The University continues to meet 100% of the demonstrated need of all admitted students. This means that Colgate will make aid offers reflecting the full cost of attendance, less a student’s expected family contribution calculated in accordance with the Institutional Methodology (IM) using information from the student’s CSS Profile application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the Colgate Commitment?

Starting in fall 2026, U.S. citizens and permanent residents with a total family income* of up to $300,000 (and assets typical*** for that income range) are eligible for the Colgate Commitment.

Actual financial aid offers may vary based on student-specific calculations and individual circumstances. Factors that may impact the amount of individual aid offers (and therefore the percentage of income expected to be used to pay tuition) include, but are not limited to, varying income levels and asset profiles, families with multiple children in college and those with only one, and ownership of businesses or notable home equity and investments. As a result, expected financial aid amounts and descriptions set forth here are not guarantees of particular aid offers, and all aid offers are subject to determination by Colgate University based on its calculation and consideration of income, assets and other relevant factors.

How does Colgate University calculate income and assets for purposes of the Colgate Commitment?

Total income is the amount of income calculated by Colgate University pursuant to the CSS Profile using taxable income (e.g. wages, interest, business income, retirement distributions, etc.) plus untaxed income (e.g. child support, social security, retirement distributions, etc.).

Losses are added back into income (e.g., business losses, capital losses, and depreciation on real and/or rental property could be added back in to be counted as part of total family income). Business income includes income generated from sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, or rental income.

Assets include items such as bank accounts, investments, home equity, and business net worth, for example, but do not include retirement savings.

If you have questions regarding calculation of income, assets, and/or your Colgate Commitment eligibility, you are encouraged to contact finaid@colgate.edu.

What does tuition-free mean?

Students with total family income up to $175,000 will generally** receive a financial aid offer covering the tuition charge for the academic year. A family may still have a family contribution that would go towards other components of the cost of attendance, such as housing, food, books, etc. Colgate meets 100% of a student’s demonstrated financial need, based on the full cost of attendance for the academic year, less the student’s expected family contribution.

If my financial aid offer does not include a loan, does that mean I do not need to borrow one?

Students with total family income up to $200,000 and typical assets*** will generally*** have their demonstrated need met with a financial aid offer that does not include a loan. However, families are still responsible for their expected family contribution toward the cost of attendance, and they can choose to borrow loans to help finance those costs.

Am I still eligible to take on student loans if I request them?

Yes, although eligible students do not have loans automatically added to the initial financial aid offer, they still have access to the Federal Direct Loan program upon request. A student’s or parent’s ability to borrow under the Federal Direct Loan program is not impacted, nor is seeking financing through a private educational loan.

Does the Colgate Commitment affect my costs while studying abroad?

The financial aid policies for students attending off-campus study programs are unchanged. Colgate’s need-based financial aid recipients can receive additional financial aid to meet the extra costs for one semester-long and one extended-study program. A loan of no more than $1,500 will be offered to help cover the extra cost of the program, regardless of loans offered for on-campus study. 

I am an international student. Am I eligible for the Colgate Commitment?

The Colgate Commitment is specifically for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. However, Colgate has always met 100% of all admitted students’ demonstrated need (cost of attendance less expected family contribution), including international students. Colgate has generally not included loans in international students' financial aid packages. When calculating a student’s financial aid package, we take all components of the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, housing, meals, and other academic costs) into account, as well as a student’s ability to cover those costs based on the results of the financial aid application.

International students who do not apply or qualify for Colgate financial aid upon admission are not eligible for aid in subsequent years, so there would not be any financial aid available throughout enrollment at Colgate.

Will my eligibility for a work-study job be affected by the Colgate Commitment?

No, Federal Work-Study and Colgate Work-Study will continue to be offered to eligible students, even if their total family income is less than $300,000. Students offered work-study as part of their financial aid award may work a part-time job during the academic year to earn the amount offered. Students with work-study awards will receive priority in hiring for most on-campus jobs. Generally, students work 10–12 hours per week to earn the amount in their financial aid offer.

What happens if my family’s financial situation changes over my four years?

The eligibility for financial aid for students who hold U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is reevaluated prior to each academic year. Financial aid for such students is offered on an annual basis, determined after careful analysis of the aid application materials submitted. If your family’s financial situation changes, the amount and type of financial aid offered may be adjusted in a subsequent academic year.

* See description of income level calculations below.  

** Actual awards may vary based on student-specific calculations and individual circumstances. Factors that may impact the amount of individual awards (and therefore the percentage of income expected to be used to pay tuition) include, but are not limited to, varying income levels and asset profiles, families with multiple children in college and those with only one, and ownership of businesses or notable home equity and investments. As a result, expected award amounts and descriptions set forth here are not guarantees of particular awards, and all awards are subject to determination by Colgate University based on its calculation and consideration of income, assets and other relevant factors.

*** Because every family’s situation is unique, Colgate also considers assets when determining eligibility for awards under the Colgate Commitment. If your family’s assets are significantly higher than typical for your family’s income level, that may affect the amount of available aid, which may be different than the averages noted here.