Fairfield University Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on September 28, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~21%
- Middle 50% ACT: 29-32
- Middle 50% SAT: 1280-1370
- Average GPA: 3.71
Fairfield means it. About 62% of the students admitted to the Class of 2030 applied without test scores, and only 17% of the first-years who enrolled in fall 2025 sent an SAT. Merit money doesn’t require scores either. What does matter: the transcript (Fairfield calls it the most important part of the application), how hard the classes were, and whether your student has shown real interest by visiting or talking with an admission counselor. Fairfield admitted 21% of applicants for the Class of 2030, so this is no longer a safety school for anyone.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 Fairfield University at a Glance
- The merit award is locked. Tuition is not. Merit runs $10,000 to $30,000 a year, applies to tuition only, and renews at the same dollar amount all four years. Tuition went up $1,930 this year alone, so the gap your family covers grows every year.
- Your first CSS Profile sets your need-based aid for all four years. Starting with the Class of 2027, Fairfield only asks for the CSS Profile once. Need-based grants then renew at the year-one level. Get that first filing right.
- Aid forms are due earlier than you think. FAFSA and CSS Profile are due Dec 1 for Early Action and Early Decision I, and Jan 15 for Regular Decision and Early Decision II.
- The Parent PLUS loan is no longer a blank check. For students starting after July 1, 2026, Parent PLUS is capped at $20,000 a year. With a full cost near $88,000, that cap matters if you were counting on borrowing the gap.
- Fairfield aid runs on an 8-semester clock. A semester abroad counts toward it, and university aid doesn’t cover summer or winter classes.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes, for admission. Fairfield University is test-optional for admission.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 29-32; SAT: 1280-1370.
Average net price? About $49,958/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? No. It is a private school, so everyone pays the same rate.
Fairfield University Bridgeport Tuition Grant page: https://www.fairfield.edu/admission-and-aid/scholarships-and-grants/bridgeport-tuition-grant/
Fairfield University Company Scholars page: https://www.fairfield.edu/admission-and-aid/scholarships-and-grants/company-scholars/
Fairfield University CT Health Horizons Scholarship page: https://www.fairfield.edu/admission-and-aid/scholarships-and-grants/ct-health-horizons-scholarship/
Fairfield University Undergraduate Merit Scholarships page: https://www.fairfield.edu/admission-and-aid/scholarships-and-grants/merit-scholarships/
Fairfield University undergraduate scholarships catalog: https://catalog.fairfield.edu/undergraduate/tuition-fees-financial-aid/scholarships/
Fairfield University Community Partner Scholarship page: https://www.fairfield.edu/admission-and-aid/scholarships-and-grants/community-partner-scholarship/
Fairfield Legacy Association page: https://www.fairfield.edu/alumni-and-friends/affinity-groups-and-reunions/legacy-association/
Fairfield University Arts & Sciences Guarantee page: https://www.fairfield.edu/admission-and-aid/scholarships-and-grants/arts-and-sciences-guarantee/
Global Fairfield study abroad scholarships page: https://www.fairfield.edu/academics/experiential-learning/global-fairfield/study-abroad/scholarships/
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at Fairfield University: 2026–2027 Rates
Figures verified against official sources in September 2026.
📅 Planning for 2027–2028? These are the 2026–2027 rates, the newest Fairfield University has published. Colleges usually release next year's costs in the spring, and we update this page when they do.
Budgeting tip: costs typically rise 2% to 5% a year. For 2027–2028, plan on roughly $1,700 to $4,200 more than the total below.
✔ Same price for every student, no matter which state you live in.
| Tuition & mandatory fees | $62,415 |
| Housing & meals (typical) | $21,564 |
| Total billed cost | $83,979 |
Average federal net price: $49,958 per year. This is what first-time, full-time students who received grant aid paid after grants and scholarships, based on the most recent federal data. It counts books and living costs, so it can run higher than the billed total above. Families who got no grants are not in this average, so many middle-income families pay more. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Fairfield is private, so there’s no in-state discount. Everyone starts from the same sticker price. Fairfield’s own resident budget for 2026-27 is $87,804 ($88,229 for first-years, who also pay a $425 orientation fee). That includes books, travel, and personal costs on top of the billed charges above.
Most families pay a lot less than sticker. About 95% of first-years get grant or scholarship money. The typical merit award for a student with no financial need was $22,587 in fall 2025, and first-years who qualified for need-based help averaged $32,045 in need-based grants. Fairfield does not meet full need for everyone: on average it covered about 75% of demonstrated need for first-years. Run the Net Price Calculator before you fall in love with the campus.
FAQ: Cost of Attendance at Fairfield University
How much does Fairfield University cost per year?
For 2026-27, tuition is $61,390 plus a $1,025 general fee. Housing and food average $21,564. Add books, transportation, and personal costs and Fairfield’s full resident budget is $87,804, or $88,229 for a first-year.
Is Fairfield cheaper for Connecticut residents?
No. Fairfield is a private university, so Connecticut families pay the same tuition as everyone else. The money that changes your price comes from merit, need-based grants, and a few local programs like the Bridgeport Tuition Grant.
Will our aid go up when tuition goes up?
Usually not. Merit renews at the same dollar amount it started at, and need-based grants renew at the year-one level. Plan for your out-of-pocket cost to creep up a little each year as tuition rises. If your family’s finances change a lot, contact the financial aid office, since they have a process for that.
Does Fairfield meet full financial need?
Not for everyone. Fairfield says plainly that it can’t meet the full need of all students. In fall 2025, the average first-year with need had about 75% of it covered, and 226 of the 526 first-years with need had it fully met.
Can we borrow the rest with a Parent PLUS loan?
Only up to a point now. For students starting college after July 1, 2026, Parent PLUS is capped at $20,000 a year and $65,000 total per student. At a school with an $88,000 budget, a family relying on PLUS to cover a big gap may come up short. Know your number before the May 1 deposit deadline.
Is there a lower-cost way into Fairfield?
For some families near Bridgeport, yes. Fairfield Bellarmine is Fairfield’s two-year associate’s degree program on a separate campus in Bridgeport, with comprehensive tuition and fees of $16,590. It serves first-generation and lower-income students, and about 90% of its first graduating class moved on to Fairfield bachelor’s programs.
https://www.fairfield.edu/admission-and-aid/tuition-and-costs/undergraduate/
https://catalog.fairfield.edu/undergraduate/tuition-fees-financial-aid/financial-aid/
https://www.fairfield.edu/about/offices-and-departments/institutional-research/common-data-sets/
https://datausa.io/profile/university/fairfield-university
📅 Fairfield Scholarship Timeline (Simple Version)
- Nov 1 / Nov 15: Early Action and Early Decision I applications. Applying by these dates gets priority consideration for merit.
- Dec 1: FAFSA and CSS Profile due for Early Action and Early Decision I applicants.
- Jan 15: Regular Decision and Early Decision II applications, plus their FAFSA and CSS Profile.
- Feb 1: Bridgeport Tuition Grant application and documents (Bridgeport families only).
- Jan to March: Aid packages arrive. Early Decision in January, Early Action and ED II in February, Regular Decision in March.
Parent rule of thumb: if Fairfield is on the list, file the aid forms by Dec 1 even if you think you won’t qualify. Several of the best awards on this page only go to families who filed.
Automatic Merit Scholarships at Fairfield University
Note: Fairfield doesn’t publish a grid that says “this GPA gets that amount.” The award is a judgment call based on the whole application, so two students with the same GPA can land in different spots. The renewal GPA for your award is printed in the award notice. Save it.
Automatic Merit FAQs (Fairfield University)
How much is Fairfield’s merit scholarship?
Between $10,000 and $30,000 a year. It’s applied to tuition only and renews for up to eight consecutive semesters if your student keeps the required GPA.
What GPA or test score do you need for merit at Fairfield?
There’s no minimum. Fairfield reviews grades, the strength of the high school program, and activities together. Admitted students for the Class of 2030 averaged a 3.9 weighted GPA, so strong students are the norm, not the exception.
Do we need to send SAT or ACT scores to get merit?
No. Fairfield says every applicant is eligible for merit consideration whether or not they submit scores. Send them only if they help tell your student’s story.
How many students actually get merit?
Most of them. In fall 2025, 937 of the 1,512 first-years who had no financial need still received merit aid, averaging $22,587. Students with financial need can get merit too.
Does the merit award go up if tuition goes up?
No. It renews at the same dollar amount it started at. That’s normal at private colleges, but it means your share of the bill rises a bit each year.
What happens if my student’s GPA dips below the renewal line?
They can appeal for merit probation with a letter and form to their financial aid counselor. If approved, they get up to two semesters to get back above the line. After that, the award is canceled and only comes back if the financial aid office agrees to reinstate it.
Can merit be used for study abroad?
Yes, for one semester. Fairfield scholarships and aid can go toward one semester abroad, but that semester still counts against the eight-semester limit.
https://www.fairfield.edu/admission-and-aid/scholarships-and-grants/merit-scholarships/
https://www.fairfield.edu/admission-and-aid/apply/first-year-applicants/
https://catalog.fairfield.edu/undergraduate/tuition-fees-financial-aid/financial-aid/
🏆 Flagship Scholarships (Competitive Scholarships)
✅ Can You Stack Scholarships at Fairfield?
| Aid Type | Stacks with Merit? | Fairfield Parent Translation |
|---|---|---|
| University Merit | N/A | The base layer. Tuition only, same amount every year. |
| Need-Based Fairfield Grants | Yes | Set in freshman year from the CSS Profile and renewed at that level. This is where middle-income families see the biggest difference. |
| Named Endowed Scholarships (200+) | Within your package | Awarded automatically to aid filers who match donor criteria. Recipients hear by Fairfield email in late fall. |
| Company Scholars | Replaces | Covers full cost, including room and board, so other Fairfield aid gets folded into it. |
| Full-Tuition Awards (Community Partner, Bridgeport) | Covers tuition | Tuition is handled. Other aid can go toward housing, food, and fees. |
| Outside Scholarships | Usually | Total aid can’t exceed the cost of attendance, so report them and ask how they’ll be applied before you assume it’s extra money. |
One more path worth knowing: Fairfield competes in NCAA Division I, and athletic grants are real money. In fall 2025, 94 first-years received athletic aid averaging $26,777. Recruited athletes should ask coaches early how athletic aid works with merit, and note that athletic scholarships can’t be used for study abroad.
❓ Flagship / Competitive Scholarship FAQs
Who can apply for Fairfield’s Company Scholars program?
High school seniors at a Cristo Rey Network school or a Jesuit high school who meet Fairfield’s admission profile, give back to their community, and have significant financial need. It’s a four-year, full-cost scholarship that includes room and board, mentoring, and a summer bridge program worth six credits.
What is the Company Scholars deadline and timeline?
Apply through the Common App by Nov 1 (Early Action) or Jan 15 (Regular Decision), and complete the required interview. First-round notices go out mid-January for EA and late March for RD. Finalists write one more essay and do a second interview, and final picks are out by April 15.
How many Company Scholars are chosen each year?
Fairfield doesn’t publish the number, only that it’s a small cohort. For context, Fairfield admitted 438 students from Jesuit and Cristo Rey schools for the Class of 2030, so most of those students get regular merit and need-based aid rather than Company Scholars.
Which high schools are in the Community Partner Scholarship program?
Eleven: Bassick, Central, Fairchild Wheeler, Kolbe Cathedral, and Warren Harding in Bridgeport; Danbury High; James Hillhouse in New Haven; Cardinal Hayes and St. Raymond in the Bronx; La Salle Academy in Manhattan; and St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark. Each school gets one full-tuition scholarship a year.
Is there a separate application for the Community Partner Scholarship?
No. Apply to Fairfield by Early Action or Regular Decision and file the FAFSA and CSS Profile on time. Selection happens with the help of your school counselor, so make sure the counselor knows your student is interested.
Is Fairfield a Stamps or National Merit school?
No. Fairfield is not a Stamps partner and doesn’t list a National Merit scholarship package, so National Merit students will be reviewed for the regular merit award like everyone else.
https://www.fairfield.edu/admission-and-aid/scholarships-and-grants/company-scholars/
https://www.fairfield.edu/admission-and-aid/scholarships-and-grants/community-partner-scholarship/
https://www.fairfield.edu/admission-and-aid/apply/first-year-applicants/admission-profile/
https://www.fairfield.edu/about/offices-and-departments/institutional-research/common-data-sets/
Honors Program at Fairfield University
Fairfield has an Honors Program, not a separate honors college, and there’s no honors application to fill out. Fairfield invites highly accomplished students, mostly first-years along with some sophomores, from all of its undergraduate schools. If your student gets the invitation, it usually comes with the admission offer.
- How you get in: By invitation. There’s no separate application or deadline.
- What it adds: Five honors courses (an honors writing section, a team-taught “Enduring Questions” course, and three honors seminars) plus a senior capstone.
- Perks: Optional honors housing for first-years, events, and a summer study abroad program in Athens, Greece that counts as an honors seminar.
Honors Scholarships & Fellowships
This institution does not offer designated Honors College scholarships at this time.
- Arts & Sciences: Up to $2,500 through the Arts & Sciences Guarantee for an approved unpaid internship or research.
- Business: Many named endowed scholarships favor Dolan School of Business students, including finance and accounting majors.
- Nursing: Several endowed awards favor Egan School nursing students, some with a 3.0 GPA requirement.
- Engineering: Endowed awards favor School of Engineering and Computing students with need.
Honors Program FAQs (Fairfield University)
How do you get into the Fairfield Honors Program?
By invitation. Fairfield picks students from the admitted pool; there’s no separate honors application or essay.
Does the Honors Program come with a scholarship?
Not that Fairfield publishes. Honors students get the regular merit review, and the honors benefits are academic: smaller seminars, strong faculty, housing, and the Athens summer program.
Can nursing, engineering, or business majors do Honors?
Yes. Fairfield specifically encourages students in its professional schools to join. Honors is only five courses out of 40-plus, so it fits alongside those majors with careful planning.
What does it take to stay in Honors?
Good academic standing, same as any Fairfield student. Students can leave the program at almost any time, but they can’t rejoin once they leave.
Is the honors housing required?
No. First-year honors students can choose to live on an honors floor, but students who live elsewhere keep all the same benefits.
https://www.fairfield.edu/academics/experiential-learning/honors-program/
https://catalog.fairfield.edu/undergraduate/curricula/
https://catalog.fairfield.edu/undergraduate/tuition-fees-financial-aid/scholarships/
⭐ College Specialty
Fairfield is a Jesuit university of about 5,700 undergraduates on the Connecticut shore, about an hour from New York City and about ten minutes from the beach. Here’s the simple version: it’s a business and nursing school wrapped in a liberal arts education. Nearly half of all bachelor’s degrees are in business, and Fairfield’s graduates have a strong track record getting hired.
Charles F. Dolan School of Business. Business accounts for about 43% of Fairfield’s bachelor’s degrees, and finance is the single most common major on campus. Niche’s 2026 rankings put Fairfield No. 1 in Connecticut for business and for accounting and finance. Fairfield also ranked No. 9 nationally for job placement on LinkedIn’s 2026 Top Colleges list, which matters most if your student is aiming for a New York finance or corporate career.
- Nursing (Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies): Registered nursing is the second most common bachelor’s degree at Fairfield. U.S. News ranked its undergraduate nursing program No. 74 in 2026, and Niche ranks it No. 1 in Connecticut.
- Communication: About 7% of bachelor’s degrees, and ranked No. 2 in Connecticut for communications by Niche.
- Psychology: A quiet heavyweight, with nearly 7% of all bachelor’s degrees. That’s more than engineering and computer science combined.
- Engineering & Computing: A smaller school (under 5% of degrees together), which means small classes for students who want a Jesuit-style engineering or computer science degree.
- Fairfield Bellarmine: A two-year associate’s degree campus in Bridgeport for first-generation and lower-income students, with tracks in business, computer science, health studies, and liberal studies. About 90% of its first graduates continued to Fairfield bachelor’s programs.
- Career support: The Princeton Review ranked Fairfield No. 18 for Best Career Services in its 2026 guide, and U.S. News ranked it No. 25 for Best Undergraduate Teaching among national universities.
🔗 Official Fairfield University Links
Use Fairfield’s official pages below to double-check deadlines, award terms, and costs before you make a decision. When something here and a Fairfield page disagree, the Fairfield page wins.
-
First-Year Admission, Deadlines & Test-Optional Policy:
https://www.fairfield.edu/admission-and-aid/apply/first-year-applicants/ -
First-Year Admission Profile:
https://www.fairfield.edu/admission-and-aid/apply/first-year-applicants/admission-profile/ -
Scholarships & Grants:
https://www.fairfield.edu/admission-and-aid/scholarships-and-grants/ -
University Merit Scholarships:
https://www.fairfield.edu/admission-and-aid/scholarships-and-grants/merit-scholarships/ -
Company Scholars:
https://www.fairfield.edu/admission-and-aid/scholarships-and-grants/company-scholars/ -
Bridgeport Tuition Grant:
https://www.fairfield.edu/admission-and-aid/scholarships-and-grants/bridgeport-tuition-grant/ -
Endowed Scholarships (Catalog):
https://catalog.fairfield.edu/undergraduate/tuition-fees-financial-aid/scholarships/ -
Undergraduate Tuition & Cost of Attendance:
https://www.fairfield.edu/admission-and-aid/tuition-and-costs/undergraduate/ -
Financial Aid (FAFSA & CSS Profile Deadlines):
https://www.fairfield.edu/admission-and-aid/financial-aid/ -
Net Price Calculator:
https://collegepricecalculator.com/FairfieldUniversity -
Honors Program:
https://www.fairfield.edu/academics/experiential-learning/honors-program/ -
Fairfield Bellarmine (Two-Year Associate’s Program):
https://www.fairfield.edu/bellarmine/ -
Common Data Set (Institutional Data):
https://www.fairfield.edu/about/offices-and-departments/institutional-research/common-data-sets/
✅ Wrapping It Up
Big picture? Fairfield is a school where almost everybody gets a discount, but very few get a free ride. Merit of $10,000 to $30,000 is close to automatic for admitted students, and it doesn’t care whether your student sent test scores. The real swing in your price comes from need-based aid. At Fairfield that’s decided mostly by a single CSS Profile in senior year, and it stays at that level for all four years.
The full-tuition and full-ride awards are real, but they’re built for specific students: Jesuit and Cristo Rey seniors, kids at 11 partner high schools, and Bridgeport families under $70,000. If that’s you, Fairfield might be one of the best deals in the Northeast. If it isn’t, run the Net Price Calculator, file both aid forms by Dec 1, and compare the award letter against your other offers with clear eyes. With a budget near $88,000 and Parent PLUS loans now capped, the letter is what matters, not the campus tour. If the numbers work, your student gets a top business or nursing program with an alumni network that shows up in New York hiring.
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I started CollegeReadyParent while working through college costs for my own kid, and quickly figured out that the number a school advertises and the number a family actually pays are two very different things. Since then I’ve gone school by school pulling apart award letters, scholarship pages, and cost sheets to find what families are supposed to just know. This site is the version of that research I wish someone had handed me. More about Leo →