FAQ
Can our family afford a private college like the California Institute of Technology?
Caltech is committed to providing financial assistance so that every admitted student can enroll. Last year, approximately two-thirds of the undergraduate student body received some assistance through the Caltech Financial Aid Office. This office administers and coordinates Federal, state, private, and institutional funds for grants, scholarships, part-time jobs, and loans.
What is demonstrated financial need?
Demonstrated financial need is the difference between the annual cost of attending Caltech and the amount the student and parents can reasonably be expected to contribute toward that cost. Caltech's estimate of a family's ability to contribute is determined each year in accordance with policies established nationally by the U.S. Department of Education and the College Scholarship Service (CSS). These policies and procedures take into account college expenses, the financial resources of the student and family, other family members in college, etc.
Is there a point at which a family's income is too high to be eligible for financial aid?
No. There is no automatic cutoff level for financial aid eligibility. A number of factors, including, but not limited to, taxable and untaxable income, net value of assets, family size, number of family members in college, and taxes paid, are used in determining the amount the family can reasonably be expected to contribute toward Caltech's costs. The Caltech Financial Aid Office carefully reviews individual family circumstances; students and families who feel that financial assistance is needed are encouraged to apply.
Will our savings and other assets be considered?
Family assets, such as stocks and bonds, net business worth, and savings are taken into account in determining Caltech's expected family contribution toward a student's education. Eligibility for Federal financial aid funds is determined by rules set by the government that provide, among other things, asset protection allowances for retirement needs in computing this contribution.
Will applying for financial aid affect a student's chances for admission to Caltech?
No. Applications for admission are evaluated separately from requests for financial aid. With the exception of international students, all applicants, regardless of their financial resources, will be considered for admission. With the exception of international aid applicants, financial status is not made available to Admissions.
When will we be told whether we have qualified for aid?
Every effort is made to notify students of conditional financial aid decisions, shortly after the time of admission. "Official" awards, reflecting the student's verified financial need, are made upon receipt of all necessary documentation, such as tax returns. In most instances, the amount of aid listed on the official financial aid award will be similar, but not necessarily identical, to the conditional award.
Are there any academic requirements I need to meet to renew my aid?
To qualify for need-based financial aid at Caltech, a student must maintain satisfactory academic progress toward completion of the baccalaureate degree, as defined in the Caltech Catalog. If this is not maintained, approval for reinstatement by the Undergraduate Academic Standards and Honors Committee, or the Dean of Undergraduate Students (as described in the Caltech Catalog), is required for continued financial aid eligibility. In general, assistance is available to eligible students for the first 12 terms of enrollment (or the equivalent for transfer or less than full-time students). Exceptions are made by petition to the Financial Aid Office. Merit Scholarship recipients may have additional requirements and will be advised of these at the time of selection. For financial aid purposes, undergraduate students are classified according to the number of units earned and the number of terms in residence at Caltech. Both these criteria must be satisfied for eligibility. Students are regarded as freshmen until eligible for sophomore status, and regarded as sophomore, junior or senior status, if they meet the corresponding criteria set below. Units earned are defined as units completed with a passing grade.
What is the Institute's refund and repayment policy?
Caltech has established an equitable refund policy for students who find it necessary to drop a course or withdraw from the Institute. That policy is described in the Caltech Catalog. Details on the refund and repayment policy are available from the Financial Aid Office upon request.
Caltech Catalog
To learn more about Financial Aid, we encourage you to visit the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) and the SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid.
Caltech is committed to providing financial assistance so that every admitted student can enroll. Last year, approximately two-thirds of the undergraduate student body received some assistance through the Caltech Financial Aid Office. This office administers and coordinates Federal, state, private, and institutional funds for grants, scholarships, part-time jobs, and loans.
What is demonstrated financial need?
Demonstrated financial need is the difference between the annual cost of attending Caltech and the amount the student and parents can reasonably be expected to contribute toward that cost. Caltech's estimate of a family's ability to contribute is determined each year in accordance with policies established nationally by the U.S. Department of Education and the College Scholarship Service (CSS). These policies and procedures take into account college expenses, the financial resources of the student and family, other family members in college, etc.
Is there a point at which a family's income is too high to be eligible for financial aid?
No. There is no automatic cutoff level for financial aid eligibility. A number of factors, including, but not limited to, taxable and untaxable income, net value of assets, family size, number of family members in college, and taxes paid, are used in determining the amount the family can reasonably be expected to contribute toward Caltech's costs. The Caltech Financial Aid Office carefully reviews individual family circumstances; students and families who feel that financial assistance is needed are encouraged to apply.
Will our savings and other assets be considered?
Family assets, such as stocks and bonds, net business worth, and savings are taken into account in determining Caltech's expected family contribution toward a student's education. Eligibility for Federal financial aid funds is determined by rules set by the government that provide, among other things, asset protection allowances for retirement needs in computing this contribution.
Will applying for financial aid affect a student's chances for admission to Caltech?
No. Applications for admission are evaluated separately from requests for financial aid. With the exception of international students, all applicants, regardless of their financial resources, will be considered for admission. With the exception of international aid applicants, financial status is not made available to Admissions.
When will we be told whether we have qualified for aid?
Every effort is made to notify students of conditional financial aid decisions, shortly after the time of admission. "Official" awards, reflecting the student's verified financial need, are made upon receipt of all necessary documentation, such as tax returns. In most instances, the amount of aid listed on the official financial aid award will be similar, but not necessarily identical, to the conditional award.
Are there any academic requirements I need to meet to renew my aid?
To qualify for need-based financial aid at Caltech, a student must maintain satisfactory academic progress toward completion of the baccalaureate degree, as defined in the Caltech Catalog. If this is not maintained, approval for reinstatement by the Undergraduate Academic Standards and Honors Committee, or the Dean of Undergraduate Students (as described in the Caltech Catalog), is required for continued financial aid eligibility. In general, assistance is available to eligible students for the first 12 terms of enrollment (or the equivalent for transfer or less than full-time students). Exceptions are made by petition to the Financial Aid Office. Merit Scholarship recipients may have additional requirements and will be advised of these at the time of selection. For financial aid purposes, undergraduate students are classified according to the number of units earned and the number of terms in residence at Caltech. Both these criteria must be satisfied for eligibility. Students are regarded as freshmen until eligible for sophomore status, and regarded as sophomore, junior or senior status, if they meet the corresponding criteria set below. Units earned are defined as units completed with a passing grade.
| Classification | Minimum Units Earned | Minimum Terms in Residence |
| Sophomore | 108 | 3 |
| Junior | 216 | 6 |
| Senior | 324 | 9 |
What is the Institute's refund and repayment policy?
Caltech has established an equitable refund policy for students who find it necessary to drop a course or withdraw from the Institute. That policy is described in the Caltech Catalog. Details on the refund and repayment policy are available from the Financial Aid Office upon request.
Caltech Catalog
To learn more about Financial Aid, we encourage you to visit the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) and the SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid.