In addition to need-based aid, W&M is committed to helping promising students – both in-state and out-of-state – access the distinct brand of education that William & Mary offers through a mix of scholarships and other financial aid support. To that end, the university has made scholarships a top priority in its fundraising campaign, and we aspire to raise $350 million to help remove financial barriers that prevent talented students from attending William & Mary.

*The definition of middle income is that developed by the TJ21-created Higher Education Advisory Committee – 400 percent of the federal poverty definition – or approximately $100,000 for a family of four. According to U.S. Census data, 77 percent of Virginia households have a combined average income of $100,000 or less.

We promise lower average student debt.

Because of new financial aid, the W&M Promise lowered the average annual borrowing and four-year cumulative debt average for new Virginia undergraduates with demonstrated need. In its first year, the W&M Promise lowered the maximum amount of loans included with an in-state financial aid package by 36 percent for families with an income between $40,000 and $60,000, and by 18 percent for all other families with financial need. Freshmen from Virginia families with a household income of less than $40,000 continued to receive financial aid covering 100 percent of their need with grants, not loans.

Comparison of Cumulative Four-Year Debt for Students with Need

All offers of financial aid will be determined after the student's aid application is fully reviewed by the financial aid office.