Dartmouth College Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- How Dartmouth’s need-based aid covers full demonstrated need
- QuestBridge and no-loan policies
- Typical net price by income range
- FAFSA, CSS, and QuestBridge deadlines
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~6%
- Middle 50% SAT: 1500–1570
- Middle 50% ACT: 33–35
- Average HS GPA: ~4.0 (unweighted)
Source: Dartmouth College Common Data Set 2024–25. Middle 50% = range where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
Dartmouth at a Glance
Last verified: October 11, 2025
Dartmouth College guarantees to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, using grants instead of loans. Families earning up to $125,000 typically pay no tuition, while those under $65,000 pay nothing for tuition, housing, or meals. The school’s commitment to affordability makes it one of the most accessible Ivy League options for middle-income families.
As a QuestBridge partner university, Dartmouth also offers full-ride scholarships through the National College Match. Students are automatically considered for Dartmouth grants after submitting the FAFSA and CSS Profile by the published deadlines.
FAQ
Does Dartmouth participate in QuestBridge? Yes. Dartmouth is a QuestBridge partner offering full-ride scholarships for matched students.
Does Dartmouth offer merit scholarships? No. All institutional aid is need-based.
Does Dartmouth include loans in aid packages? No. Dartmouth eliminated loans in 2022; all aid is grants and work-study.
What’s the average net price? About $25,221 after aid, with lower costs for families earning under $125,000.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Dartmouth College
| Category | Cost (2025–2026) |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $69,207 |
| Mandatory Fees* | $2,058–$2,318 |
| Housing | $12,579 |
| Meal Plan (Ivy Unlimited) | $8,341 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,005 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,040 |
| Travel | $250 minimum (higher if long-distance) |
| Total (Before Aid) | $94,980 (standard) $95,490 (first-years with orientation fee) |
*Dartmouth lists “Fees” as $2,058 on the Financial Aid COA page and $2,318 on the Admissions Direct Costs page. The higher figure likely includes additional mandatory charges such as orientation. Parents should expect fees to fall in this range.
COA & Aid FAQ
Who qualifies for in-state discounts? Nobody — Dartmouth has a single tuition rate for all students.
How much can aid lower the cost? Dartmouth pledges to meet full financial need. Families making under certain income thresholds often pay little or nothing for tuition.
Do I need to apply separately for aid? Yes. Families must submit the FAFSA and the CSS Profile to be considered for Dartmouth grants and scholarships.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Dartmouth does not award automatic merit scholarships based on GPA or test scores. All Dartmouth aid is strictly need-based. Families applying for financial aid must submit the FAFSA and the CSS Profile by the published deadlines: Nov 1 (CSS/ED), Feb 1 (CSS/FAFSA/RD).
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Merit Scholarships | N/A | Dartmouth does not award academic or talent-based automatic merit scholarships. | No | N/A | N/A — All institutional scholarships are need-based. | Nov 1 (ED), Feb 1 (RD) |
Dartmouth is a partner in the QuestBridge National College Match. However, QuestBridge is not automatic merit aid—it is a highly competitive process for high-achieving students from lower-income families. Dartmouth does not participate in National Merit or the Stamps Scholarship.
Note: Since Dartmouth does not offer automatic merit, there are no GPA/test cutoffs to list here. All awards are calculated from demonstrated financial need using institutional methodology.
Automatic Aid FAQ
Does Dartmouth superscore the SAT or ACT? Yes. Dartmouth superscores both the SAT and ACT—highest section scores are considered.
Do I need a separate application for aid? No separate app for merit—submit FAFSA and CSS Profile by deadline for need-based aid.
Can outside scholarships stack with Dartmouth aid? Yes, but Dartmouth first reduces student work/loan expectations; institutional scholarship is reduced last if necessary.
Are any students guaranteed aid? No. Aid is based on family financial profile, but Dartmouth pledges to meet 100% of demonstrated need without loans.
Dartmouth Grants & Scholarships – https://financialaid.dartmouth.edu/
Aid Application Deadlines – https://financialaid.dartmouth.edu/undergraduate-applicants/first-year-applicants/
QuestBridge at Dartmouth – https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/glossary/q/questbridge/
QuestBridge Requirements – https://questbridge.org/college-partners/dartmouth-college/application-requirements/
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
Dartmouth’s aid model is almost entirely need-based, but there are a few highly selective opportunities that go beyond the standard financial aid formula. These scholarships require separate steps and are not guaranteed to all admitted students.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QuestBridge National College Match | Full demonstrated-need scholarship (four years, no loans; covers tuition, room, board, and required fees) | High-achieving, low-income students who are QuestBridge Finalists and rank Dartmouth | Yes — QuestBridge application, plus Dartmouth supplement and addendum | Yes, renewable for four years if financial need continues and student remains in good standing | Students with strong academics, leadership, and service who qualify financially via QuestBridge | Nov 1 |
| King Scholars Program (International) | Full ride: tuition, room, board, health insurance, computer (first year), one round-trip home/yr | International students from low-income backgrounds committed to poverty alleviation in home country | No separate app — apply to Dartmouth; additional King recommendation encouraged | Yes (for up to four years, if all program standards are met) | Small, elite cohort of international admits with top academics and leadership/impact | Nov 1 (ED) Jan 1 (RD) |
Competitive Aid FAQ
What makes these scholarships different from need-based aid? They provide organized, high-visibility support and occasionally added stipends, in addition to full-need coverage.
Is QuestBridge automatic if I’m admitted? No. You must be a QuestBridge Finalist, rank Dartmouth, and be selected through the Match process.
Are King Scholars limited in number? Yes — the cohort is very small, often fewer than 8 per class.
Can I apply to both QuestBridge and regular Dartmouth aid? Yes — Dartmouth ensures all high-need applicants are considered for full funding, regardless of pathway; the process differs for international students.
QuestBridge – https://questbridge.org/college-partners/dartmouth-college/application-requirements/
Dartmouth King Scholars – https://global.dartmouth.edu/king-scholars-program
Dartmouth Competitive Scholarships – https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/glossary/q/questbridge/
International Scholars Deadlines – https://edukateafrica.com/dartmouth-king-scholarship-2026
🎖️ Honors College
Dartmouth doesn’t have a separate Honors College, but many departments run their own departmental honors programs. These let motivated students dig deeper into research, complete a senior thesis, and graduate with Honors or High Honors noted on their transcript. Parents should think of this as Dartmouth’s version of an honors track — personalized, faculty-driven, and designed to build toward graduate school or research careers.
Overall GPA around 3.0 or higher, often 3.3+ in the major.
Strong faculty relationships and research interests.
Willingness to take on an intensive senior thesis or project.
• Faculty mentorship for a senior thesis
• Access to departmental honors seminars
• Research funding support (see Honors Thesis Grants)
• “Honors” or “High Honors” designation on transcript
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honors Thesis Grants (UGAR) | $500–$1,500 for thesis research | Seniors enrolled in departmental honors with faculty-approved thesis | Yes — online application (UGAR) | One-time per thesis | Honors seniors needing research funding | Aug 6 (F), Oct 22 (W), Feb 11 (Sp), May 6 (Su) |
- Stamps Scholars Program — Two-year program, up to $10,000/year for juniors and seniors for research and experiential learning. Apps open winter of sophomore year, due early March.
- James O. Freedman Presidential Scholars — Juniors work as paid research assistants, earning stipends and experience. Application open spring of sophomore year.
Honors FAQ
Is Honors admission automatic? No. Students apply to their department’s honors program, usually in junior year, and must meet GPA thresholds.
Department deadlines often fall late spring of sophomore year or first week of junior fall.
Does Honors add extra time to a degree? No. Honors is completed during the standard four-year timeline. Thesis writing can count for major credit.
Are there scholarships just for Honors students? Yes — Honors Thesis Grants are available, and select students can earn research stipends or full support for Stamps/Presidential Scholars cohorts.
When should I apply? Departmental honors: spring of junior year or first week of senior fall.
Stamps: late Feb/early Mar sophomore year.
Presidential Scholars: spring of sophomore year.
UGAR Honors Thesis Grants & Deadlines – https://students.dartmouth.edu/ugar/
Stamps Scholars – https://students.dartmouth.edu/scholarships-programs/
James O. Freedman Presidential Scholars – https://students.dartmouth.edu/scholarships-programs/
Rockefeller Honors Grants – https://rockefeller.dartmouth.edu/student-opportunities/grant-application-deadlines
Departmental Honors Policy & Timeline – https://dartmouth.smartcatalogiq.com/
⭐ College Specialty
Dartmouth may be small compared to some of the other Ivies, but it punches above its weight in research and reputation. With a flexible quarter system (“D-Plan”), undergraduates often land hands-on experiences in labs, abroad programs, and even national fellowships that would be harder to come by at larger schools. Families should also know that Dartmouth is a public-facing R1 Research University, meaning it’s recognized at the highest level for research activity even while keeping a liberal-arts style focus for undergraduates.
Dartmouth’s Thayer School of Engineering is one of the few Ivy League engineering schools to integrate liberal arts with ABET-accredited degrees. Students can earn both an A.B. in Engineering Sciences and a professional B.E., with strong placement in industry and graduate schools.
- Tuck School of Business (MBA) — Consistently ranked top 10 nationally for MBA programs (U.S. News 2024).
- Government & Public Policy — Dartmouth’s Government Department is nationally recognized, with alumni frequently entering top law schools and policy roles.
- Environmental Studies — One of the earliest undergraduate environmental studies programs in the U.S.; strong ties to sustainability research and the Arctic Institute.
- Neuroscience — Home to the Dartmouth Brain Imaging Center and nationally regarded cognitive neuroscience labs.