Tuition and Costs

The Johnson Scholarship Program awards full tuition, room and board scholarships each year to up to 44 exceptionally qualified students regardless of their family’s circumstances. Each Johnson Scholar also receives financial support for summer opportunities such as internships, research and independent projects. In addition to the Johnson Scholarship, each year W&L offers several additional scholarships for which incoming first-year students may apply.

We award institutional, federal and state grants plus $3,000 in student employment to meet your individually demonstrated need. No loan will be offered to meet any part of your demonstrated need. Federal loans for students and parents may be offered as an option to cover the family’s contribution.

Our generous grant packages meet the demonstrated need of our aid applicants, and only a fraction of our families choose to take out optional loans to cover the family contribution. Over the past five years, an average of 67 percent of our undergraduate students graduated debt-free.

Any admitted undergraduate from a family with income below $150,000 and assets typical for their income will receive a grant equal to or greater than full tuition. Many will receive additional grant assistance to cover room, board, and other educational expenses.

W&L is one of fewer than 25 colleges in the U.S. that is able to admit students without considering their ability to pay while also ensuring to meet 100% of demonstrated need without loans. What that means is practice is that your application for admission is fully separate from your application for financial aid. We will evaluate your candidacy based solely on your academic background and your ability to make a positive contribution to the campus community.

W&L partners with multiple state and federal aid programs, as well as community-based organizations, to increase access to highquality education. W&L is a strong supporter of veterans and VA educational programs, including Yellow Ribbon and tuition assistance. Students interested in participating in the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) may do so through a partnership with neighboring Virginia Military Institute. W&L is a proud partner college of QuestBridge, an organization that connects the nation’s brightest students from low-income backgrounds with 60 leading institutions of higher education.