Johns Hopkins Tuition Promise

Undergraduate students who are enrolled in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences and the Whiting School of Engineering are eligible for the program as long as their total family income falls within the eligible income ranges. This includes domestic transfer students. International students who applied for and received financial aid at the time of admission are also eligible. Learn more about financial aid for international applicants.

Yes! For students who qualify for additional funds under the new income guidelines, your financial aid will be adjusted in phases.

• Spring 2026: You will receive a one-time adjustment to your financial aid if you are eligible for additional funds. You can view these changes in SIS by late November 2025.

• Fall 2026 and beyond: The new financial aid structure takes effect for the full 2026-2027 academic year.

Note: Changes begin in Spring 2026. Fall 2025 aid levels remain unchanged unless you receive a private scholarship that reduces your federal or state aid. 

Family income of up to $100k: You will have a $0 parent contribution. Your financial aid offer will fully cover tuition, fees, housing, dining, and most personal expenses.

Family income of $100k -$200k: Your full tuition ($66k in the current academic year) will be covered. Your costs will be primarily related to housing, dining, and personal expenses. In many cases, families in this range may qualify for additional support beyond tuition.

Family income above $200k: We’ll calculate your family’s expected contribution based on your financial aid application. You’ll receive need-based scholarships to cover the difference between that contribution and the total cost of attendance.

Most families with incomes up to $250k (representing 90% of American households according to the latest U.S. census data) will continue to qualify for significant financial aid. Even those with annual incomes exceeding $250,000 may qualify, especially when there are multiple children in college at the same time.

Because every family’s situation is unique, we also consider assets when reviewing financial aid applications. If your family’s assets are significantly higher than what’s typical for your income level, that may affect the financial aid offer.

Most students are expected to budget for personal expenses like books, school supplies, toiletries, and other daily living costs. These expenses are factored into the total cost of attendance, but you’ll pay for them directly—not as part of your tuition bill.

For first-year students, this typically amounts to $1,800. For returning students, it typically amounts to $2,600 each year.

The income ranges we’ve outlined serve as guidelines, rather than absolute cutoffs. We understand that families with incomes slightly above these thresholds may still face significant financial challenges in paying for college. Our program is structured so financial aid adjustments occur gradually rather than abruptly when crossing income boundaries.

Even families with incomes that exceed our outlined ranges may still qualify for meaningful financial aid. Most families with incomes up to $250k (representing 90% of American households) continue to receive significant support, and many families above that threshold qualify as well.

We encourage all families to apply for financial aid, even if you think you may not qualify—you may be pleasantly surprised by the support available to you.

The best way to understand what your family might pay to attend Hopkins is to fill out one of our financial aid estimation tools.

When calculating your family’s income, we look at your total financial picture, which can include:

• Your adjusted gross income (from your tax return)

• Any income you don’t pay taxes on

• Losses from business or rental properties

• Investment losses

• Depreciation on other real estate

• Business distributions/payments
• Social security benefits

Keep in mind this isn’t everything we consider. There may be other types of income we’ll also include in our calculation.

We look at things like:

• Cash, and money in your checking and savings accounts

• Investments (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, educational funds, etc.)

• Any real estate you own besides your primary home

• The value of any businesses you own

What we don’t count:

• Equity in your primary home
• Retirement accounts like 401(k)s, 403(b)s, IRAs, and other formal retirement plans

If your family has assets significantly above what’s typical for your income level, this may impact your eligibility for financial aid. We consider assets atypical if they are three times more than your income. In those cases, we’ll look at both your income and assets when determining your eligibility, using the information from your tax documents and financial aid application.

No, the Peabody Conservatory has its own generous financial aid program, which was expanded in 2024, when the conservatory announced it will meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for all domestic undergraduate students and eliminate loans from financial aid packages. This change made Peabody the largest—and one of the few—conservatories in the U.S. to make the commitment to meeting full financial need.

The policy being announced now is for undergraduates at the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences and the Whiting School of Engineering. Peabody undergraduates aren’t eligible. However, Peabody Dual Degree students receive the same financial aid as other Homewood undergraduates, so they do qualify.

This financial aid policy is intended only for undergraduate students. Once you transition to the graduate portion of your BA/MA, you’ll be reviewed using graduate financial aid policies instead. Graduate funding works differently and often comes from other sources with their own requirements.

Each of your parents will submit a CSS Profile and tax documents as part of your financial aid application. We’ll use the income information from both parents to assess your eligibility for the new income-tiered financial aid program.

Veterans and dependents receiving VA benefits are still eligible for Hopkins’ aid program. We’ll coordinate your VA benefits with financial aid so they work together. Your aid offer might be adjusted to account for benefits you’re already receiving. The goal is to fully support you without duplicating coverage while still meeting your financial need.

Yes! Fall and spring study abroad programs are included in your cost of attendance, and financial aid can be applied toward your program costs. More details about study abroad financial aid are available on our website.

Your financial aid goes on hold while you’re away. When you return, just reapply for aid and we’ll reassess your eligibility using your family’s current income and assets. You’ll submit the usual materials (FAFSA and/or CSS Profile) and we’ll build your new aid offer.

Hopkins covers full financial need for fall and spring semesters only. In the summer, there is limited funding available, and priority is given to students with the highest need.

No. We don’t expect you to take out student loans when you attend Hopkins. Instead, your financial aid offer is designed to cover your costs with Hopkins Scholarships—money you don’t have to pay back. If your family would like to explore loans as part of your financing strategy, you can find out more about this process on our website.

Outside scholarships can help lower what you’re expected to contribute through summer savings or work-study. Most students can receive up to $5,300 in private scholarships before we make any changes to your Hopkins Scholarship. Above that amount, we reduce your Hopkins Scholarship dollar-for-dollar, but your total aid stays the same.

Want to see examples? Check out our website.

We’ll coordinate your existing scholarship with need-based aid. Your current scholarship applies first, then the Hopkins Scholarship fills any gaps to fully cover tuition and demonstrated need.

The aid appears directly in your financial aid offer letter and on your student bill. You’ll see the Hopkins Scholarship listed as funding on both.

Yes. For families with income above $200k, we calculate your expected contribution using your financial aid application. You’ll receive scholarships and grants to cover the difference between that contribution and total attendance costs.

Even families with annual incomes exceeding $250k may qualify for financial aid, especially when there are multiple children in college at the same time.

Yes, you’ll need to apply! All students submit the CSS Profile. U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens also complete the FAFSA. We may ask for additional tax documents, which you can upload through IDOC when prompted.

For prospective students: Check out our admissions website.

For current undergraduates: Visit the Student Financial Support website.

All students submit the CSS Profile. U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens also complete the FAFSA. We may ask for additional tax documents, which you can upload through IDOC when prompted.

Yes, you can appeal your financial aid offer. Whether your family experiences hardship, your income is just above a cutoff, or you think there’s been an error, we’re here to help. We understand circumstances change and may need additional context about your family’s finances.

You’ll need to submit an appeal to our office for consideration. More information on the appeals process is available on our website.

Domestic students: Yes, you’ll reapply annually by submitting the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and any required tax documents.

International students: No, you only apply once during your first year with the CSS Profile. Your aid automatically renews for the following years.

Domestic students: It is possible for your eligibility to change. We reassess your family’s finances each year. However, it takes a substantial income increase to significantly impact your aid. For example, if a family earning $90k (with a $0 parent contribution) sees their income rise to $110k, the student’s aid level wouldn’t change.

International students: Your aid is set during your first year and is guaranteed at the same level for all four years.

You need to maintain good academic standing to keep receiving aid. If you fall short of SAP requirements, you’ll work with your academic advisor to create a plan for getting back on track. Together, you’ll submit an appeal explaining your steps to regain good standing. More information is available on our website.

If you’re thinking about applying to Hopkins, you can sign up for one of our financial aid events to learn more about the program. You can also fill out one of our cost calculators to get a better sense of what your family might pay to attend Hopkins.

• MyIntuition asks six basic questions for a quick, ballpark estimate of your college costs. You’ll need to know your family’s total income, the market value of your home, and your parents’ savings and other assets.

• The Net Price Calculator uses questions similar to those on the CSS Profile to provide a more detailed estimate of your net price, or the amount your family will be responsible for paying. You’ll need tax returns for your parents or legal guardians. Be as specific as you can to ensure the most accurate estimate.

The Net Price Calculator is updated every year to reflect our most recent cost of attendance and financial aid policies. This calculator provides the closest approximation to your actual net price, which we will determine using your submitted financial aid application materials.

Yes! We encourage prospective students and families to join us for a financial aid virtual or on-campus session to learn more. You can find information about upcoming events on the undergraduate admissions website.