We’re here to help make a Puget Sound education a reality for current and future Loggers with resources to understand costs, apply for financial aid, and build financial literacy.
Student Financial Services
1500 N. Warner St. #1039
Tacoma, WA 98416-1039
Jones Hall, Room 019
253.879.3214
253.879.8508
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuition & Fees
See your total cost of attendance, including tuition, housing, meals, and fees.
Applying for Aid
Learn about the process of applying for financial aid, starting with the FAFSA.
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90%+
of Puget Sound students receive some form of financial aid -
BEST VALUE
According to U.S. News & World Report (2019, 2022, 2023) and The Princeton Review (2024) -
14%
Of undergraduates are first-generation college students
Net Price Calculator
Use this interactive tool to estimate your financial need and explore potential sources of financial aid—including scholarships, grants, and loans.
Calculate Your Cost
Types of Financial Aid
At Puget Sound, we strive to financially assist students who want to invest in their education at Puget Sound. On average, we offer need-based financial aid awards to 65% of our students who complete the FAFSA. Award packages typically combine scholarships, grants, loans and student employment.
Scholarships & Grants
Aid that is awarded based on several factors, including academic achievement and/or financial need. Scholarships and grants do not have to be repaid.
Loans
Loans are borrowed money that you repay with interest to the lender. There are subsidized and unsubsidized loans.
Aid for Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers educational benefits programs for eligible veterans attending college.
Work-Study Employment
Work-study is a need-based financial aid program that assists students by providing an opportunity to work part-time while going to school.
Need-Based vs. Merit-Based Awards
At Puget Sound, our financial aid options fall into one of two financial assistance categories:
Need-Based Financial Aid
Need-based financial aid is awarded to students whose families do not have sufficient financial resources to pay for college as determined by their completed
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Grants, loans, and work-study employment opportunities are all examples of need-based financial aid.
Merit-Based Awards
Merit-based financial aid may be awarded to students regardless of financial need. Academic, talent, or other achievement awards are all examples of non-need-based aid.
Take the Next Step
Apply for Financial Aid Today
It all starts with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Puget Sound's school code is 003797.
Frequently Asked Questions
Applying for financial aid can be complicated. We’re here to answer your most commonly asked questions and help you navigate the process.
Puget Sound offers both need-based and merit-based aid for undergraduate students. Students are automatically considered for merit scholarships when they apply to Puget Sound. Merit scholarships are available in addition to two full tuition scholarships: the Lillis Foundation Scholarship and the Matelich Scholarship. Academic scholarship award amounts stay constant year after year, assuming eligibility criteria is met.
Student eligibility for need-based aid is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and is composed of grants, work-study employment, and loans. All eligible students seeking need-based aid should submit the FAFSA with your application. For priority consideration, we encourage applicants to file the FAFSA by the corresponding admission deadline.
We encourage all families and students to apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA. The method of awarding financial aid is complex and is determined by many factors (such as income and household size). In addition, there are sources of aid such as Unsubsidized Stafford/Direct and PLUS loans that are available regardless of need.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an online application used by the U.S. Department of Education to determine eligibility for federal and state financial aid.
Merit scholarships are available for international students. No additional application is required. Students are automatically considered for these scholarships when they apply to Puget Sound. Academic scholarship award amounts stay constant year after year, assuming eligibility criteria is met. International students can also apply for Puget Sound’s full ride Lillis and Matelich Scholarships. We are not able to offer need-based financial aid to students with non-immigrant visas.
No. All undergraduate applicants who are admitted to Puget Sound are considered for merit scholarships and financial aid. You must complete the FAFSA to be considered for need-based financial aid.
Once Puget Sound receives FAFSA data from the U.S. Department of Education, admitted students will receive their admission decision and information about merit scholarships. The full financial aid award will be posted online and sent in the mail shortly after.
Yes, if you receive a scholarship from your high school or local community you must report the award information to our office. Changes to a financial aid award may be necessary. If your financial aid award must be revised, the reductions occur in the following order: need-based loan assistance, work-study employment, and finally, grant assistance.
In order to remain eligible for federal, state, and university need-based financial aid, a student must continue to demonstrate financial need by completing the FAFSA each year. The amount of need-based financial aid a student is eligible to receive each year may vary depending on your level of financial need and/or other scholarship or grant assistance received.
Yes! You can apply both need-based and merit-based financial aid, including Puget Sound scholarships and grants to the cost of your study abroad program. Program fees are assessed for study abroad based on the cost of individual programs relative to the cost of Puget Sound tuition, and are used to support students prior to and during their international experience. There are three program fee tiers, ranging between $300 up to $2,400, with the majority of program fees falling at the $300 tier.
No. Puget Sound is a member of NCAA Division III, which does not award athletic scholarships. Financial aid and scholarships are based on academic performance and financial need.