Our experienced team is dedicated to partnering with students and families to help them understand financial aid and scholarships at Puget Sound. Here are some of the most common questions about the process.

If your question is not answered in the list below, please contact us at sfs@pugetsound.edu or 253.879.3214 and we'd be more than happy to help. We want to work with you as you navigate the process of applying for aid and scholarships, understanding your options for financing your education, and more.

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 range up to $31,000, each year, renewable for up to ten semesters. Academic scholarship award amounts stay constant year over year, assuming eligibility criteria is met. Students can also apply for two full tuition scholarships: the Lillis Foundation and the Matelich.  Academic scholarship award amounts stay constant year over 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 (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.

Merit scholarships are available for international students. No additional application is required. Students are automatically considered for these scholarships, ranging up to $31,000 (USD), when they apply to Puget Sound. Academic scholarship award amounts stay constant year over year, assuming eligibility criteria is met.

International students can also apply for Puget Sound's full ride Lillis and Matelich Scholarships.

We do not offer need-based financial aid to students with non-immigrant visas.

You can submit FAFSA corrections on part 2 of your Student Aid Report (SAR). We will receive the corrected information electronically and notify you if the information changes your financial aid award.

Once admitted to Puget Sound, 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.

Information should be given for the parent that provided more financial support. If this parent has remarried as of the date you complete the FAFSA, answer the questions on the form about the parent and the person whom your parent married.  

Yes. You must include parent information on the FAFSA unless you are 24 years old, married, a graduate student, orphan or ward of the court, veteran, active duty military for purposes other than training, or have dependents. If you have unusual circumstances which make it impossible for your parents to complete the FAFSA, please contact our office.

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 their level of financial need and/or other scholarship or grant assistance received.

Students studying abroad can apply both need-based and merit-based financial aid, including Puget Sound scholarships and grants, to their study abroad program.  Program fees will be assessed for study abroad based on the cost of individual study abroad programs relative to the cost of Puget Sound tuition, and are used to support students prior to and during their study abroad 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, all undergraduate applicants who are admitted to Puget Sound are considered for merit scholarships and financial aid (FAFSA required to be considered for need-based financial aid). 

No, Puget Sound is a member of the NCAA Division III and financial aid and scholarships are based on academic performance and financial need.