The Brandeis Commitment

The Brandeis Commitment is Brandeis University's need-based financial aid program guaranteeing full tuition coverage for domestic undergraduate students from families earning 75,000 dollars or less annually with no loans required. Students from families earning between 75,001 and 200,000 dollars receive half-tuition support.

Beginning fall 2025, eligible students must complete both the CSS Profile and FAFSA, enroll full-time, and reside on campus or in university-approved off-campus housing. Financial need is determined by assessing each family's income and assets. The program applies to new domestic undergraduate students entering Brandeis and is renewable each academic year meeting eligibility requirements.

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The Brandeis Commitment provides families within the specified income ranges below a generous scholarship package covering either full or half tuition and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need in the first year. In addition, the Commitment provides a four-year guarantee of total scholarship provided there is no major change to the family's financial circumstances or number in undergraduate college.

Total Grants and Scholarships *Assuming typical assets (see FAQ); tuition does not include housing and food What is the Brandeis Commitment? The university has made a firm commitment to clarify the amount of aid incoming domestic students will receive and simplify the financial aid process for students and families.

The commitment guarantees: At least half or full tuition For domestic students whose families are in the income ranges above, they will receive a scholarship package of at least half or full tuition. 100% of demonstrated financial need A financial aid package that meets 100% of a domestic student’s demonstrated financial need in the first year with a combination of grants, scholarships, loans and work, regardless of family income.

A four-year guarantee that students will receive the same level of total need-based grants and scholarships each year, subject to the following conditions: Starting with fall 2026 entrants Will increase annually up to 3%, not to exceed the increase in tuition Provided there is no major change to your family's financial circumstances or your family’s number of children in undergraduate college For up to 8 semesters for first-year students and the needed remaining semesters for transfer students (not to exceed four-years of combined undergraduate education), excluding summer terms Prorated for off-campus housing, living at home, or less than full-time enrollment Flexibility around changes in financial circumstance If your financial circumstances change, you can appeal for additional aid.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) What is included in total income? Total income includes a family’s adjusted gross income for the tax year applicable to each academic year (e.g., 2024 for the 26-27 Academic Year) plus all sources of untaxed income. In addition to the student, a “family” typically includes both biological/adoptive parents and, in some rare cases, stepparents.

What do total grants and scholarships include? Total grants and scholarships include both need- and merit-based gift funds (funds that do not need to be repaid) from Brandeis, as well as federal, state and private sources. Is there a specific application for the Brandeis Commitment?

To be considered for the Brandeis Commitment, applicants must indicate on their Admissions application that they are applying for aid, complete the CSS Profile and FAFSA, and submit appropriate year tax returns by the stated deadlines . In subsequent years, students need to submit required renewal materials. Can I qualify for more grants and scholarships beyond the Brandeis Commitment?

Yes. Brandeis meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all undergraduate students in the first year, so families may qualify for additional aid beyond The Brandeis Commitment if they have further demonstrated need. What does the typical asset notation mean above?

Families with significant assets above what is typical for their income level may not qualify for Brandeis Commitment, but the university is still committed to funding 100% of demonstrated need in the first year. A family’s assets might include cash, savings, investments, home equity, business net worth, other real estate and any other assets. We do exclude the value of qualifying retirement accounts.

Do I have to reapply for financial aid each year? Yes. Students who entered in fall 25 will need to file a full financial aid application each year.

Starting with students entering in fall 26, the renewal requirements are as follows: U.S. citizens and permanent residents will need to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to qualify for federal aid and to enable us to determine whether you have a major change in your circumstances. Additionally, noncustodial parents will need to submit the first two pages of the prior-prior year federal tax return.

International students will need to complete the CSS Profile as well as provide documentation of income and assets for the appropriate tax year. Domestic students not studying on a visa will need to complete the CSS Profile and submit the first two pages of the prior-prior year federal tax return.

If there is no major change in your circumstances, the above application materials may be the only materials needed, provided the FAFSA is not selected for additional verification by the federal government.

If there is a major change in your circumstances, or other conflicting information requiring resolution, we will require a full financial aid application, including the CSS Profile and prior-prior-year tax returns (including all business returns). What is considered a major change to my family’s financial circumstances?

A major change to your family’s financial circumstances includes, but is not limited to, an increase of 15% or more in your parent(s)’ total income (i.e., AGI, tax exempt interest income, untaxed pension/IRA distributions, and deductible payments to IRA/Keogh) from one academic year to the next.

You will be required to file the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile each year so we can determine whether you have a major change that would require a full financial aid application. How will a change in my family’s number of children in college affect my financial aid? If your family’s number of children enrolled in college as undergraduates decreases, your total grants and scholarships will be reduced based on this change.

Similarly, if your family’s number of children enrolled in college as undergraduates increases, your total grants and scholarships will be increased based on this change, provided verification of enrollment and family contribution is provided. A full financial aid application will only be required if income increases as detailed above. What if my family’s financial circumstances worsen after the first year?

If your family experiences a substantial negative change in your circumstances, you can choose to submit a full financial aid application, including the CSS Profile and prior-prior-year tax returns (including all business returns), as well as documentation of your change in circumstance, so that we can reevaluate your financial need. Do I have to live on campus to be eligible for The Brandeis Commitment?

To qualify for the half-tuition/full-tuition grant based on income, you would need to live either on campus or in an off-campus residence. Students who commute from home/a relative’s home do not qualify due to the much lower cost associated with this housing option. To qualify for the four-year grant and scholarship guarantee each year, scaled by 3%, you would need to reside on campus.

If you choose to live off campus, or reside at home or with family, the amount of grants and scholarships will be prorated for the lower average cost of these options, but would still be based on the total family contribution calculated in your Year 1 full financial aid application. Do I have to be full time to be eligible for The Brandeis Commitment? Yes.

If you are less than full time, including Reduced Rate Senior status, the amount of your grants and scholarships would be prorated for the lower cost. Is The Brandeis Commitment applicable to all semesters of study? No. The Brandeis Commitment is limited to 8 fall/spring semesters of undergraduate study on campus and excludes the summer periods.

The amount of grants and scholarships may be prorated for fall/spring study abroad if the cost is lower than studying on campus. Are international students eligible for the Brandeis Commitment?

While international students are not eligible for the half-tuition/full-tuition grant based on income, Brandeis meets 100% of demonstrated financial need in the first year for international undergraduates who apply for aid during the admission process. International students are, however, eligible for the four-year grant and scholarship guarantee provided there is no major change in circumstances.

Are graduate students eligible for the Brandeis Commitment? No. Graduate students are not eligible for the Brandeis Commitment, but they can apply for aid from their respective graduate schools. Are all undergraduate students eligible for the Brandeis Commitment?

No. The half-tuition/full-tuition grant based on income is available to undergraduate students starting with fall 25 entrants. The four-year grant and scholarship guarantee is available to students starting with fall 26 entrants.

Since Brandeis meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all undergraduate students starting before fall 25, these students, while not eligible for the Brandeis Commitment, are already benefiting from similar levels of aid. Could the Brandeis Commitment change in the future?

While Brandeis is offering this program starting with students entering in fall 25 and fall 26, it reserves the right to alter the eligibility, or eliminate, the program for classes that start in the future. Changes to Federal Financial Aid Student Accounts and Billing Frequently Asked Questions