Dartmouth College Scholarships (2026-2027)
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Last Updated on June 18, 2026
What This Page Covers:
- 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.
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Dartmouth at a Glance
🏆
Meets 100% of demonstrated need — no loans for all students. Dartmouth is also a QuestBridge partner offering full-ride packages for matched students.
Average Net Price
$25,221
Average after grants and scholarships (NCES 2024)
Institutional Aid
Average $64,000/year
All need-based; merit scholarships not offered
Typical Qualifiers
Aid based on family income and assets
Families earning ≤$125K pay no tuition; ≤$65K pay $0 total cost
QuestBridge Partner
Full-ride scholarship for matched students
Covers tuition, housing, meals, and required fees
Testing Policy
Test-optional
SAT/ACT scores considered only if submitted
Key Deadlines
QuestBridge: Sept 26 • ED: Nov 1 • RD: Jan 2
CSS Profile & FAFSA due with admission application
Full Need Met
Yes — 100% (no loans for all)
Dartmouth replaced loans with grants in all aid packages in 2022
Residency & Waivers
Private Ivy — no state reciprocity
All U.S. and international students considered equally
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 2026-2027
📅 2027–2028 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2026–2027). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2027–2028 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) |
In-State |
Out-of-State |
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) |
$16,233 |
$33,782 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) |
$19,132 |
$19,132 |
| Total (Direct Costs) |
$35,365 |
$52,914 |
Average Federal Net Price: $20,696 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Reciprocity & Regional Discounts: Dartmouth is a private college and does not participate in WUE, NEBHE, or other regional tuition-matching programs. Price relief comes entirely through need-based aid, which requires filing both the FAFSA and the
CSS Profile.
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).
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Onlyneed_based
Dartmouth Need-Based Aid (Full-Need Commitment)
📅 Deadline: Follow Dartmouth's published financial aid deadlines for each admission round (ED, RD, Transfer); the financial aid application opens annually with rolling offers beginning mid-May. · 📢 Results: Aid offers released alongside admission decisions and on a rolling basis through summer.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$1,000–$80,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Every admitted student who applies for aid is automatically considered — there's no extra application beyond the standard financial aid forms. Need-blind for everyone, including international students.
👥 ~Institutional policy — applies to every eligible admitted student who demonstrates need, not a capped competitive scholarship. winners/yr🎓 All UndergradNeed-blind for all applicants regardless of citizenship. Aid is renewed annually based on continued demonstrated need. Dartmouth participates at 100% in the Yellow Ribbon Program supplementing GI Bill benefits.
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Stacking & Combining
Packages combine Dartmouth scholarship (grant), federal/state grants if applicable, and a modest student employment expectation — never a required loan. Outside scholarships can replace the student work component and the $1,000 summer earnings expectation before they reduce the Dartmouth scholarship (Dartmouth scholarship is reduced only as a last resort). Families under $125,000 with typical assets pay $0 parent contribution.
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Strategic Detail
Dartmouth is one of the few U.S. institutions offering need-blind admissions to all applicants regardless of citizenship AND meeting 100% of demonstrated need for every admitted student. The universal no-loan policy means no required student loans appear in any aid offer. Students from families earning under $125,000 with typical assets pay $0 parent contribution. The student is expected to contribute about $1,000 from summer or leave-term earnings, plus 20% of their reported assets annually.
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Who Actually Wins
Any admitted Dartmouth undergraduate whose family income, assets, and circumstances generate demonstrated financial need under Dartmouth's institutional methodology. Awards range from $1,000 to over $80,000 per year depending on need, and the highest-need students effectively receive a full-ride package.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
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.
Sources:
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.
Full RideAutomaticidentitygeographic
King Scholars Program (International)
📅 Deadline: Apply by Dartmouth's Early Decision or Regular Decision deadlines; see Dartmouth Admissions for current dates.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Ride
Full four-year scholarship covering tuition, room, and board, plus health insurance, a first-year laptop, and annual round-trip travel between Dartmouth and the student's home country
✔ Stackable
⚠ Reserved for international students from low-income backgrounds who plan to return home to tackle poverty or other major social issues. U.S. students and higher-income international applicants aren't eligible, but for the right student the package is extraordinary — full COA plus health insurance, a laptop, and a yearly flight home.
👥 ~Small cohort each year (typically fewer than 10 new King Scholars per incoming class). winners/yrOnly international students (not U.S. citizens or permanent residents) are considered. The Admissions Office selects scholars based on academic excellence, demonstrated leadership, and a documented commitment to addressing social issues such as poverty in the student's home country.
✚
Stacking & Combining
King Scholars receive an all-in package that's designed to cover full cost of attendance plus health insurance, a laptop, and annual flights home, so additional outside scholarships generally won't add to the bottom-line cost coverage. Outside awards are coordinated within Dartmouth's overall aid policies and cost-of-attendance limits, but they can sometimes reduce work-study or other components rather than the Dartmouth scholarship itself.
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Strategic Detail
King Scholars attend Dartmouth for four years with full financial aid covering tuition, room, and board. Additional benefits include health insurance, a new computer in the first year, and funding for one round-trip flight per year between Dartmouth and the student's home country. The program adds pre-orientation support, ongoing academic mentoring, leadership training trips (alternating each year between Washington DC and New York), and automatic enrollment in the First-Year Summer Enrichment Program (FYSEP).
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Who Actually Wins
International students from low-income backgrounds, often first-generation, who can articulate a concrete commitment to addressing poverty or other major social issues in their home countries. Successful applicants combine strong academics with a clear story of leadership and impact in their communities, and they typically come from regions where Dartmouth's resources can meaningfully change the trajectory of their lives.
Full RideApp Requiredneed_based
QuestBridge National College Match
📅 Deadline: Follow QuestBridge's National College Match deadlines for the current cycle; Finalists rank colleges in early November and Dartmouth requires supporting materials by November 1. · 📢 Results: Match decisions are released in early December by QuestBridge.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Ride
Full four-year, loan-free financial aid package meeting 100% of demonstrated need, plus $0 parent contribution and a scholarship covering the Dartmouth Student Group Health Plan and a computer up to $1,700
✔ Stackable
⚠ Open to any QuestBridge Finalist regardless of citizenship — but you must qualify through QuestBridge's national process first, which is built around documented low-income status combined with strong academics.
👥 ~Number of Match offers varies year to year and is set by Dartmouth in coordination with QuestBridge. winners/yrOpen to U.S. and international applicants who qualify as QuestBridge Finalists. Eligibility is determined by QuestBridge (income, achievement, and circumstance thresholds), not by Dartmouth directly.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Matched students get a Dartmouth package with $0 parent contribution and $0 required loans for all four years. Outside scholarships can be used to reduce or replace the student work component or the summer earnings contribution rather than the Dartmouth grant itself, so this is one of the rare cases where outside awards meaningfully help the student's pocket. Dartmouth scholarship is reduced only as a last resort.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through QuestBridge by their National College Match deadline and rank Dartmouth in your school list. If you become a Finalist and rank Dartmouth, your QuestBridge application is forwarded to Dartmouth and you submit additional required materials (Dartmouth Writing Supplement, QuestBridge Addendum, financial aid documents, transcripts, test scores if applicable) through your Dartmouth Applicant Portal by November 1. Matched students receive a binding admission with full aid.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
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Strategic Detail
For matched students, Dartmouth commits to a four-year, loan-free aid package: tuition, housing, meals, required fees, a $4,556 scholarship covering the Dartmouth Student Group Health Plan, and up to $1,700 toward a required computer. Aid is renewed each year as long as the student stays in good standing and continues to demonstrate financial need. Non-matched Finalists who ranked Dartmouth automatically roll into Regular Decision and can also opt in to Early Decision.
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Who Actually Wins
QuestBridge Finalists with documented financial need (typically families well under $65,000–$125,000 in income), high academic achievement in a rigorous high school curriculum, leadership and service track records, and the personal narrative QuestBridge is built around — first-generation, low-income students who've thrived despite real obstacles.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
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.
Sources:
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
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
Beyond standard need-based aid, Dartmouth students can access a mix of research grants, ROTC funding, and niche awards that often fly under the radar. These opportunities can stack with Dartmouth’s financial aid and lower your true out-of-pocket cost.
Full TuitionApp Required
Army ROTC Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Oct 13, Jan 19, and Mar 16 board deadlines for the 2025–26 scholarship cycle.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
Army ROTC scholarship covering full tuition or room and board plus stipend and book allowance
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Number of awards is determined nationally by the U.S. Army each year. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Army ROTC scholarships are applied before institutional aid and can cover full tuition or room and board; Dartmouth may adjust institutional grant aid so that total funding does not exceed cost of attendance, and recipients incur a military service commitment.
📄
How to Apply
Complete the national Army ROTC scholarship application, including academic records, fitness assessment, and interview, by the posted board deadlines and enroll in Army ROTC while attending Dartmouth.
Selection criteria: Selection is based on academic record, leadership and extracurricular involvement, physical fitness, and officer potential.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec
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Strategic Detail
Cadets at Dartmouth typically participate through a host or crosstown Army ROTC battalion; benefits include tuition or room-and-board coverage, a book allowance, and a monthly stipend for up to four years.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: U.S. citizens with strong academics, leadership, physical fitness, and a demonstrated commitment to Army service who secure a national ROTC scholarship slot.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
Dartmouth Endowed Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Nov 1 (Early Decision) and Feb 1 (Regular Decision) are common financial aid deadlines associated with admission cycles.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
👥 ~Number and size of awards depend on the income from Dartmouth’s endowed scholarship funds. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Endowed scholarships replace or fund portions of Dartmouth grant aid that a student would receive anyway; they typically do not change the total amount of aid but may carry donor-specific criteria.
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Strategic Detail
Dartmouth notes that thousands of students benefit from endowed scholarships each year; the assignment process is automatic based on financial aid eligibility and donor preferences.
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Who Actually Wins
Students who receive Dartmouth financial aid and match the criteria of specific endowed funds, such as geography, interests, or background.
Automatic
Louis V. Gerstner Jr. Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: Nov 1 (Early Decision) and Jan 1 (Regular Decision) admission deadlines for consideration.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
👥 ~Small cohort of Scholars selected from each entering class. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Gerstner Scholars receive full-need Dartmouth financial aid plus additional STEM-focused enrichment and up to about $15,000 per year in later years for research, internships, or other academic opportunities; support stacks with other institutional need-based aid up to cost-of-attendance.
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Strategic Detail
Program materials describe comprehensive financial support and increasing annual funding as students progress, alongside mentoring and community-building for first-generation STEM students.
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Who Actually Wins
First-generation, high-need students admitted to Dartmouth with strong academic preparation in STEM and demonstrated leadership potential.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
Study Abroad Aid (LSAs/FSAs)
📅 Deadline: Program and aid deadlines typically include Dec 1 for spring, Feb 1 for summer, and rolling or earlier dates for program admission.
✓ Renews
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Aid packages are recalculated based on the cost of the LSA/FSA program; scholarships and grants can cover program charges similarly to terms on campus, and additional external study-abroad funding may be coordinated within cost-of-attendance limits.
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Strategic Detail
Dartmouth states that need-based aid generally applies to its own off-campus programs; this entry captures that portability as a hidden gem for students planning study abroad.
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Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Dartmouth financial-aid recipients who enroll in approved Dartmouth LSA or FSA programs and remain eligible for aid.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Undergraduate Research Grants (UGAR)
📅 Deadline: July 30 (fall), Oct 15 (winter), Feb 4 (spring), and Apr 29 (summer) deadlines for 10-week leave-term grants.
Non-Renewable
👥 ~Funding levels and number of awards each term depend on available UGAR resources. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
UGAR stipends count as research earnings and typically stack with Dartmouth need-based aid without reducing grant eligibility, subject to overall cost-of-attendance rules.
📄
How to Apply
Submit an UGAR application outlining a faculty-mentored research project, including proposal and budget, by the relevant term deadline for a leave-term research grant.
Selection criteria: Reviewers consider project quality, feasibility, intellectual merit, and strength of faculty mentorship.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
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Strategic Detail
UGAR offers several grant types; this entry reflects the leave-term research grant that provides up to about $4,800 for a full-time 10-week project.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Undergraduates who develop a strong, feasible research proposal with clear goals and committed faculty mentorship.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
URAD Assistantships
📅 Deadline: Aug 20 (fall), Nov 11 (winter), Mar 3 (spring), and May 27 (summer) URAD application deadlines.
✓ Renews
👥 ~Number of assistantships per term depends on program funding. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
URAD assistantship earnings are treated as research pay and generally stack with need-based aid; they are not designed to reduce Dartmouth scholarship grants.
📄
How to Apply
Students with a faculty research placement submit a URAD application before each term’s deadline to receive assistantship funding for about 100 hours of research.
Selection criteria: Selection is based on the quality of the research experience, student preparation, and available funding.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
The program funds undergraduate research assistantships for roughly 100 hours of work per term at a set stipend level around $1,700.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Primarily sophomores and juniors who secure faculty research positions and submit compelling assistantship applications.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Dollars and deadlines reflect official Dartmouth calendars from the Office of Undergraduate Advising & Research and Financial Aid. Research and assistantship programs accept applications mid-term for the following term.
- Departmental and club grants: Vary by field/interest; see major/college sites for details.
- Aid for non-Dartmouth programs: Contact the Global Learning or Financial Aid office for policy.
Hidden Gem FAQ
Can ROTC cover full tuition? Yes. Army ROTC scholarships can pay full tuition for those who commit to service.
Do UGAR and URAD stipends stack? Yes, as research earnings, they stack with need-based award (not reduce aid).
How do I find deadlines? See full calendar: UGAR, URAD, and honors thesis grants are due at various times during the year—plan well in advance!
How are endowed scholarships assigned? Matched automatically after financial aid is calculated; don’t require extra forms.
Sources:
UGAR/URAD Research Grants Deadlines – https://students.dartmouth.edu/ugar/
Gerstner Scholars – https://students.dartmouth.edu/first-generation-office/programs-support/gerstner-scholars
Army ROTC Deadlines – https://goarmy.com/rotc/scholarships.html
Financial Aid Deadlines – https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/affordability-costs/financial-aid
Endowed Scholarships – https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/affordability-costs/types-financial-aid
QuestBridge at Dartmouth – https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/glossary/q/questbridge/
🎖️ 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.
What a Typical Dartmouth Honors Student Looks Like:
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.
Honors Perks:
• 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
Automatichonorsmajor
Coulter Scholars Program (STEM)
📅 Deadline: Follow standard Dartmouth admission deadlines. · 📢 Results: Scholars are named at the time of admission.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
⚠ Reserved for incoming STEM-bound students identified during Dartmouth admissions review, with preference for students from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in STEM. There's no separate application to chase — it happens during the regular admissions process.
👥 ~Approximately 4 new scholars per entering class (16 active total). winners/yrSelection is need-blind and open to all matriculated undergraduates planning to major in a STEM field. Scholars must declare a STEM major and maintain academic progress. The upper-class campus selection cycle has closed.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Coulter stipends stack with Dartmouth need-based aid and other UGAR research grants up to cost-of-attendance limits. The Penny and Jim Coulter Scholars Enrichment Endowment Fund provides annual stipends during sophomore, junior, and senior years (plus a fifth year for BE Engineering students).
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Strategic Detail
Funded by a $25 million investment from Penny and Jim Coulter '82 as part of Dartmouth's STEM diversity initiative. Each Coulter Scholar is eligible for a minimum of $5,000 per year starting sophomore year through senior year (and into a fifth year for BE Engineering degree recipients), with the potential to apply for additional funding. Stipends fund research, internships, conferences, and professional development. The program supports a cohort of 16 active scholars.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Academically promising STEM-bound students with a demonstrated curiosity for science, engineering, or math. Selection preference goes to students from groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM, applicants with strong academic promise in those fields, and students whose scholarship and goals align with the program's mission of growing STEM leadership.
App Required⚠ Sophomore Onlymajorhonors
E.E. Just Undergraduate Fellowship (STEM)
📅 Deadline: Application form live early December through late February of sophomore year; specific date posted annually.
✓ Renews (2 yrs)
⚠ Built for STEM sophomores planning a PhD who can secure a Dartmouth faculty research mentor and commit to active participation in the E.E. Just Community throughout junior and senior years.
👥 ~Small cohort; size not publicly published. winners/yr🎓 SophomoreMust be a Dartmouth sophomore majoring in a STEM discipline, planning to apply to a PhD program in STEM after graduation, and committed to the E.E. Just Community's mission. Research mentor must be a Dartmouth faculty member (College, Geisel, Thayer, or Tuck). International students should review tax implications — stipends may be subject to up to 14% withholding without a tax treaty.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stipends stack with Dartmouth need-based aid. Fellows aren't eligible for separate UGAR Leave Term Grants for the same research (the EEJUF already funds that), but they can pursue other complementary funding. Selected fellows are also expected to participate in E.E. Just programming (weekly Jam Sessions, Dartmouth Adventures in STEM pre-orientation leadership), so this is a meaningful time commitment.
📄
How to Apply
Apply in sophomore year through the E.E. Just Program (applications open early December through late February). You'll need to identify a Dartmouth faculty research mentor in advance, develop a research proposal in close consultation with that mentor, and submit two faculty references — one from your proposed research mentor and one general reference who knows you well academically. Submit the reference request form at least two weeks before the application deadline.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
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Strategic Detail
The E.E. Just Undergraduate Fellowship is a two-year fellowship spanning sophomore summer through senior year. Fellows are eligible each year for funding to support up to one term of full-time research (40 hours/week) during a leave term, plus up to three terms of part-time research (8–10 hours/week) during residence terms. Fellows also receive professional development funding for conferences and other career-building activities, 24-hour card access to the E.E. Just Space in Wilder 113, and structured mentorship from an E.E. Just Faculty Fellow. Fellows submit quarterly reports on their research.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Sophomores majoring in a STEM discipline who are seriously considering a PhD in STEM and who are committed to the E.E. Just Community's mission of broadening participation in the sciences. Strong applicants have a faculty mentor lined up and a research proposal already developed with that mentor — this is not a fellowship you apply to cold.
Automatichonors
Hanlon Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: Follow standard Dartmouth admission deadlines (ED early November; RD early January). · 📢 Results: Scholars are named at the time of admission.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
⚠ Selected through regular Dartmouth admissions — there's no separate application to chase. If your student is the kind of applicant who'd attract this designation, it'll happen automatically when they apply.
👥 ~Approximately 8 new scholars per entering class. winners/yrSelection is need-blind. Open to any matriculated undergraduate; primary selection happens at admission. The upper-class campus selection cycle has closed and no future cycles are anticipated.
✚
Stacking & Combining
All scholars who demonstrate financial need also receive Dartmouth scholarship support for all four years. Gentes experiential learning grants supplement (rather than reduce) Dartmouth aid and other research funding, subject to cost-of-attendance limits. Cohort programming is available to all Hanlon Scholars whether or not they receive financial aid.
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Strategic Detail
Named for President Emeritus Philip J. Hanlon '77 and funded by $32 million in alumni gifts. Each Hanlon Scholar is eligible for up to $20,000 total across their four undergraduate years through Gentes Experiential Learning Grants (named for Gail Gentes, Hanlon's wife), with the potential to apply for additional funding. Grants fund research, internships, conferences, leadership training, supplies, and creative or entrepreneurial ventures. The program supports a cohort of 24 active scholars at any given time, with roughly 8 new scholars per entering class selected pre-matriculation through the admissions process.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Academically distinguished applicants who can demonstrate a real commitment to creating positive change — through service, activism, leadership, or entrepreneurial work — and who show the resourcefulness and creative thinking to follow through. Selection happens during admissions review based on the same materials any applicant submits, so this is rewarded character and trajectory, not a separate essay tournament.
App Required⚠ Senior Only
Honors Thesis Grants (UGAR)
📅 Deadline: Term-specific deadlines posted annually on the UGAR website. Apply in the term BEFORE the research term — funding isn't awarded retroactively or for the term in which the application is submitted. · 📢 Results: Funding decisions announced 2–4 weeks after each deadline.
Non-Renewable
👥 ~No fixed quota; funding decisions depend on UGAR's annual budget and the strength of submitted budgets. winners/yr🎓 SeniorMust be enrolled as an undergraduate (or on an L-term with intent to enroll the following term) during the funded term. Not available to students who've already completed AB degree requirements. International students may have up to 14% withheld from stipends if their country of taxation has no U.S. tax treaty.
✚
Stacking & Combining
These grants are intended to supplement other research funding, not replace it. You're encouraged to apply for funding from multiple sources, but total funding across sources can't exceed your project's actual costs. Senior Fellows and Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellows aren't eligible for this grant — their fellowships already cover thesis research.
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How to Apply
Submit the UGAR honors thesis grant application through the UGAR application Canvas site the term BEFORE you need the funds, with a faculty-endorsed itemized budget, budget justification, and confirmation that your honors thesis proposal is accepted (or that approval is pending per your faculty advisor). A faculty recommendation is required, with its own earlier deadline.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
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Strategic Detail
Grant amounts are typically between $500 and $1,500 per term, but no more than $1,500 in total across the entire senior thesis research, even if you apply multiple terms. Funds are for direct research expenses (supplies, equipment, travel for fieldwork, participant compensation, conference registration), NOT cost of living, housing, meal plan, or a personal stipend.
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Who Actually Wins
Seniors formally enrolled in an honors program in their major with a clearly defined, faculty-backed thesis project and a realistic, itemized budget. The cleanest applications come from students who've already done preliminary research and can show exactly what each line item buys for the project.
App Required⚠ Junior Onlyhonors
James O. Freedman Presidential Scholars
📅 Deadline: Applications open the first day of spring term sophomore year; specific deadline posted annually on the UGAR Scholars Programs site.
Non-Renewable
⚠ Invitation-only based on GPA. If Dartmouth emails you in winter of sophomore year saying you're eligible, you can apply for a paid two-term research role with a faculty mentor during junior year. No email, no application.
👥 ~Limited cohort each year, capped by available faculty research slots and program budget. winners/yr🎓 JuniorEligibility is determined by Dartmouth based on cumulative GPA at the end of sophomore winter. If you don't receive an email notifying you of your eligibility, you can't apply. Faculty mentors must hold tenure-line, research-track, or lecturer/senior lecturer appointments at Dartmouth.
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Stacking & Combining
Stipends are paid as research fellowship payments at the end of each completed term (lump sum, not hourly wages). You can't receive both a Presidential Scholars stipend and additional wages for the same research, but the stipend stacks normally with Dartmouth need-based aid and other UGAR programs in different terms.
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How to Apply
Eligibility is GPA-based and Dartmouth notifies eligible students directly in the winter of sophomore year. If you receive the eligibility email, apply in spring term of sophomore year through the UGAR application portal with a faculty mentor in place and a research plan for two terms during your junior year. Faculty endorsement is required and due one week after the student application deadline.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
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Strategic Detail
The program is named for former Dartmouth President James O. Freedman and pairs eligible juniors with faculty for two terms of part-time research (7–12 hours/week, roughly 100 hours total per term). The stipend is $1,700 per term ($3,400 total across the two terms), paid as a lump sum at the end of each term contingent on completion. Both terms must occur during junior year R-terms.
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Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Sophomores with strong academic records (Dartmouth uses an internal GPA cutoff to determine eligibility) who can identify a faculty mentor willing to bring them onto a research project for two terms of junior year. Selection emphasizes the quality of the proposed research and the fit between student interest and faculty project.
App Required⚠ Sophomore Onlymajorhonors
Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF)
📅 Deadline: February 15 annually.
✓ Renews (2 yrs)
⚠ Built for U.S. sophomores in humanities and humanistic social sciences who are seriously planning a PhD — not pre-med, pre-law, or pre-professional. International students are ineligible.
👥 ~About 5 Mellon Mays Fellows plus 3 Associate Fellows per year (8 total per cohort). winners/yr🎓 SophomoreSophomore standing required (exceptions by request). Major in an appropriate humanities or humanistic social sciences field. U.S. students only: U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or undocumented students. International students aren't eligible. Students intending to enter medical school, law school, or other professional schools are not eligible — this fellowship is explicitly for future PhD candidates.
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Stacking & Combining
MMUF stipends stack with Dartmouth need-based aid. Fellows aren't eligible for UGAR Honors Thesis Grants — MMUF funding already supports thesis research. Post-graduation, MMUF alumni can access loan repayment assistance for federal loans used for graduate study in MMUF-designated fields.
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How to Apply
Apply by February 15 of sophomore year through Dartmouth's MMUF Canvas site. Application includes coursework reflection, your plans for a major in humanities or humanistic social sciences, and a personal essay on how your life experiences and academic aspirations contribute to MMUF's goals. Faculty references are evaluated. The Dartmouth program coordinator (Professor Michelle Warren, comparative literature) and associate coordinator review applications.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
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Strategic Detail
Established at Dartmouth as one of the earliest MMUF host institutions, the program has produced more than 200 alumni — and 67% have gone on to pursue doctoral degrees, more than double the national rate for BA recipients. Dartmouth annually accepts a cohort of about 5 Mellon Mays Fellows plus 3 Dartmouth Associate Fellows (the latter funded by Dartmouth rather than the Mellon Foundation). Fellows receive research stipends, summer funding, conference and travel funding, regular mentorship from faculty and alumni, and structured preparation for grad school applications beginning sophomore summer through senior year.
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Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Sophomores planning to major in humanities or humanistic social sciences who are seriously considering a PhD and an academic career as a scholar-teacher. Dartmouth's program is famous for its mentorship culture — alumni regularly cite Professor Warren's individualized advising as the reason they made it from Dartmouth to top doctoral programs. The program is intentionally selective and small.
App Required⚠ Senior Onlyhonors
Senior Fellowship
📅 Deadline: Interest form due by 6th week of junior winter term; full application due April 15 of junior spring term for fall start.
Non-Renewable
👥 ~Highly selective; the Committee on Senior Fellowships approves a small number each year based on the strength of proposals. winners/yr🎓 SeniorMust be a Dartmouth AB-degree-seeking undergraduate. Faculty primary advisor must be Dartmouth faculty eligible to direct independent work in their department or program. Some departments restrict faculty participation in Senior Fellowships, so check with your department early. Students in Scholars Programs (Stamps, Hanlon, Coulter, Gerstner) can apply.
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Stacking & Combining
Senior Fellowship funding stacks with Dartmouth need-based aid but Senior Fellows are NOT eligible for UGAR Honors Thesis Grants (the fellowship covers thesis-equivalent funding). Senior Fellows may not use Dartmouth funds for personal gain — if your output is a sellable product like a book, you can print copies for sale only with other funds.
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How to Apply
Submit the Senior Fellowship interest form by the 6th week of winter term junior year (one term before the application term). UGAR will contact you to set up an initial meeting. Then submit the full application by April 15 of spring term junior year (two terms before fellowship start). The application includes a detailed written proposal addressing project outcome, advisors, your background and preparation, justification (why a fellowship instead of existing courses), and major plans. Faculty recommendations are due the third week of the application term. The Committee on Senior Fellowships evaluates and selects.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec
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Strategic Detail
The Senior Fellowship is one of Dartmouth's most rigorous undergraduate honors paths — students conduct year-long independent projects in lieu of a traditional major, and the project title appears on the official transcript as the major. Senior Fellows aren't required to also complete a standard major, though many choose to. Project outputs can include written theses, films, musical productions, art portfolios, or other substantial deliverables. Faculty primary advisors may only advise one Senior Fellow per year.
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Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Juniors with the academic background, faculty support, and intellectual maturity to propose a year-long independent project too ambitious or unusual to fit any existing major or honors thesis. Successful applicants have already built strong relationships with faculty willing to commit substantial time as advisors, and their proposals make a compelling case for why no combination of existing courses could accomplish the same intellectual work.
App Required⚠ Upperclassmen Onlyhonors
Stamps Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: February 15 by 11:59pm of sophomore winter term.
✓ Renews (2 yrs)
👥 ~Small cohort selected each cycle (typically around 10 new Scholars per year, with about 20 active scholars across both year cohorts). winners/yr🎓 UpperclassmenSophomore standing (completed 3–6 terms by the end of winter); transfer students should contact the Scholars Programs team to confirm eligibility. Major declaration must be complete or in progress. Faculty mentor must be secured and have agreed to the full two-year commitment before you submit.
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Stacking & Combining
Stamps funding is intended to supplement, not replace, other aid. It can stack with Dartmouth need-based aid and other research grants up to cost-of-attendance limits. Students may apply for multiple SURFD programs (Stamps, Coulter, Hanlon, Gerstner) but can only participate in one at a time.
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How to Apply
Apply in winter of sophomore year through the Student Research Funding App. You'll need a major declaration complete or in progress, a faculty mentor secured before applying, a written proposal (background, proposed work, timeline/D-plan, use of funding), an unofficial transcript, and your resume — uploaded as a single PDF. Funding for the second year depends on first-year progress and a refreshed plan.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
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Strategic Detail
Stamps Scholars receive up to $10,000 per year for two years (junior and senior years) to fund active-learning experiences that enhance academic and professional development — things like fieldwork travel, equipment, conference attendance, summer immersion, or material costs for a creative project. Dartmouth's program is part of the national Stamps Scholars network across roughly 40 partner institutions.
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Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Academically engaged, intellectually curious sophomores who can articulate an ambitious but realistic two-year plan — research, creative project, or interdisciplinary exploration — and who've already done the legwork of securing a faculty mentor willing to commit to the full two-year arc.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
- 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.
Sources:
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.
Standout Program:
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.
Final Thoughts
Dartmouth isn’t just another Ivy on the list — it’s a place where small classes, one-on-one mentorship, and a need-based aid pledge come together. For families, that means the sticker price can look intimidating, but the reality is that most admitted students pay far less. If your student thrives in close faculty relationships and is excited by the chance to do funded research, study abroad, or pursue an honors thesis, Dartmouth delivers opportunities that can shape a career and keep the degree affordable.
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