Financial Aid, Costs and Scholarships
Clarkson University is consistently named a best-value college for our incredible return on investment. We work with you to make sure that there are no barriers between you and your future. Discover the many ways we can help make your college experience affordable.
Cost of Attendance 2023-2024
Tuition and Fees: $57,950
Living Expenses: $17,791
Total Direct Costs: $75,741
Merit and Need Based Awards
The Clarkson School Ignite Presidential Fellowship: This is a merit-based scholarship covering all tuition costs for one first-time student entering The Clarkson School. The student will continue to receive the scholarship if they chose to remain at Clarkson. The award can be received for a total of four years (eight semesters) of undergraduate study.
To apply for this award, you must:
- First, apply to The Clarkson School.
- Second, on your Clarkson School Application Status Page apply for The Clarkson School Ignite Presidential Fellows program by April 15. We welcome you to submit a 2- to 3-minute video OR a 250-300 word statement on the following topic: Clarkson School students seek to pursue their passions by starting college early. What passion(s) and interests will you bring to The Clarkson School? How will you positively impact the Clarkson School community?
- Five (5) finalists will be selected and invited to interview before final decisions are made.
- The Clarkson School Scholars Award: This award is given by a participating high school guidance counselor to a student during his/her junior year. This award provides $25,000 yearly/$100,000 total and can be used for up to four years while attending The Clarkson School and Clarkson University. Eligible students must be in an accelerated high school program and have maintained a GPA of 93 or higher or are ranked in the top 15% of their class. Submission due by April 15.**
- The Clarkson School Merit Award: This award is available based solely on prior academic success and promise of future achievement. The student must have a 2.0 cumulative average at the end of the spring semester to continue receiving the award for the following years.**
- The Clarkson School Grant: This grant is based primarily on financial need and academic achievement. This award is renewed each year based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).The student must remain in good academic standing at Clarkson to continue receiving the award for the following years.
Special Awards and Unique Funding Options
This award recognizes students from the five boroughs for their hard work and commitment to academics. Recipients will receive $6,000 per year upon enrollment at Clarkson.
To qualify and apply for this scholarship, you must:
- Reside in one of the following boroughs: Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Queens or Staten Island
- Have an overall high school average of 85
- Have taken a college preparatory curriculum while in high school
- Complete an on- or off-campus interview with a Clarkson University Admission representative
Federal, State, and Institutional Aid is awarded on an annual basis. It is based on full time enrollment (12 credits per semester) in both the Fall and Spring semesters. If a student is not enrolled in a semester, the aid will be pro-rated for 1 semester of attendance, i.e. 1/2 of the annual award amount. Students are not eligible to receive the annual total amount in one single semester.
Clarkson University has established a scholarship to recognize high school seniors from the North Country for their hard work and commitment to academics. Recipients of this scholarship will receive up to $6,000 per year, depending on financial need, for a total of four years of undergraduate study at Clarkson. Award recipients may enroll in any course of study at Clarkson University. The Undergraduate Admission and New Student Financial Assistance Committee determines the recipients of the Adirondack Scholars Award.
To be eligible for this award, you must:
- Reside in one of the following counties: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Warren or Washington
- Have a minimum overall high school average of 90
- Complete an interview with a Clarkson University Admission representative
- File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Complete the Clarkson University Adirondack Scholars Award Application
- Submit a complete Clarkson University admission application
Federal, State, and Institutional Aid is awarded on an annual basis. It is based on full time enrollment (12 credits per semester) in both the Fall and Spring semesters. If a student is not enrolled in a semester, the aid will be pro-rated for 1 semester of attendance, i.e. 1/2 of the annual award amount. Students are not eligible to receive the annual total amount in one single semester.
This award goes to select high school seniors who have completed three of the five Project Lead the Way courses in their high school. We award $2,000 scholarships to 10 students each year.
To apply for the Clarkson University Project Lead the Way Scholarship, you must:
- Have a minimum overall high school average of 88
- Complete the Clarkson University admission application
- Complete the Clarkson University Project Lead the Way Scholarship application
- Submit an official high school transcript confirming completion of at least three Project Lead the Way courses
- Provide one letter of recommendation from a teacher or advisor in your Project Lead the Way program
Federal, State, and Institutional Aid is awarded on an annual basis. It is based on full time enrollment (12 credits per semester) in both the Fall and Spring semesters. If a student is not enrolled in a semester, the aid will be pro-rated for 1 semester of attendance, i.e. 1/2 of the annual award amount. Students are not eligible to receive the annual total amount in one single semester.
This award recognizes select high school seniors who have participated on a FIRST Robotics (FRC) or Tech Challenge (FTC) team. We award 25 FIRST Scholarships each year of up to $6,000 each.
To apply for the Clarkson University FIRST Scholarship, you must:
- Have a minimum overall high school average of 85
- Complete the Clarkson University admission application
- Complete the Clarkson University FIRST Scholarship application
- Provide a recommendation from an adult leader of your FIRST team
- Submit an essay relating to your FIRST experience
Federal, State, and Institutional Aid is awarded on an annual basis. It is based on full time enrollment (12 credits per semester) in both the Fall and Spring semesters. If a student is not enrolled in a semester, the aid will be pro-rated for 1 semester of attendance, i.e. 1/2 of the annual award amount. Students are not eligible to receive the annual total amount in one single semester.
Eight $6,000 scholarships are available to outstanding undergraduate students who plan to study engineering at Clarkson.
To apply for the SAE Engineering Scholarship, you must:
- Have a minimum overall high school average of 90 or 3.5
- Complete the SAE Engineering Scholarship application
- Submit the Clarkson University admission application
- Complete an admission interview by February 1 of your senior year
Federal, State, and Institutional Aid is awarded on an annual basis. It is based on full time enrollment (12 credits per semester) in both the Fall and Spring semesters. If a student is not enrolled in a semester, the aid will be pro-rated for 1 semester of attendance, i.e. 1/2 of the annual award amount. Students are not eligible to receive the annual total amount in one single semester.
SAGE Tuition Rewards (Savings and Growth for Education) is a unique, private college savings program. Tuition Rewards are discounts off tuition at participating colleges that represent the minimum scholarship that an eligible student will receive if attending a member college. Students receive Tuition Rewards from multiple "sponsors" (for example, parents and grandparents). A sponsor designates the tuition rewards to students when they begin their senior year of high school. If the students do not use the tuition rewards, they are rolled back into the sponsor's account for use by other students. Clarkson counts Tuition Rewards as part of the normal institutional and merit scholarships. For more information on SAGE Tuition Rewards please visit https://secure.tuitionrewards.com/index.cfm. Clarkson must receive confirmation from SAGE of your Tuition Rewards by February 1 of your Senior Year of high school.
Prospective students that are selected into these programs at the Young Entrepreneurs and Innovators Business Plan Competition hosted by the Shipley Center for Innovation will receive guidance and support from faculty and alumni mentors, office space in our incubator, and will attend Clarkson without payment of tuition for their four year undergraduate career through a combination of merit-based financial aid (after accounting for other aid for which the student may be eligible) and a purchase by Clarkson of 10% equity in their firm at fair market value.
The Honors Program offers unique academic challenges and experiential learning opportunities to prepare Clarkson University’s most promising students to lead fulfilling lives and to drive positive change in science, technology, and society. Admission to the Honors Program is highly competitive and requires a separate application. Learn more about the Honors Program application process.
Students interested in the Honors Program must complete the Honors Program application in addition to the regular admissions requirements for Clarkson University. The priority deadline for Honors is February 1. Early applications are welcome and will be reviewed as they are completed.
This program is for high achieving Cape Cod high school students. The program provides a $50,000 scholarship - $12,500 per year, for up to four years of undergraduate study at Clarkson.
To apply for the Heintzelman Scholars Program, you must:
- submit a complete Clarkson University admission application
- submit Heintzelman Scholars Program application materials, including a short essay or video submission
- attend a Cape Cod, Massachusetts area high school
Federal, State, and Institutional Aid is awarded on an annual basis. It is based on full time enrollment (12 credits per semester) in both the Fall and Spring semesters. If a student is not enrolled in a semester, the aid will be pro-rated for 1 semester of attendance, i.e. 1/2 of the annual award amount. Students are not eligible to receive the annual total amount in one single semester.
Alumni Connection Awards
Holcroft Alumni Recognition Awards
Awards based on strong potential for success and the recommendation from a Clarkson alumnus/alumna. Awards are $500 per year—students can only receive one award, regardless of the number of recommendations. We suggest students contact alumni who know enough about them to provide a meaningful reference. Recommendation letters must be submitted by February 1 of the student's senior year (December 1 for early decision applicants).
Alumni Family Award
If you indicate on your application for admission that you have a brother, sister, aunt, uncle, or cousin that attended Clarkson, you may qualify for a $500 scholarship. Only one scholarship will be granted no matter how many alumni family members you have.
Alumni Legacy Award
If you indicate on your application for admission that you have a mother, father, grandfather, or grandmother who attended Clarkson, you may qualify for a $1000 scholarship. You can only receive one Alumni Legacy Award no matter how many alumni family connections you have.
Additional Resources for Financing Your Education
Financing Options and Resources
For an overview of financing options, request a copy of our Financial Planning Packet from newstudentfa@clarkson.edu, which contains information about:
- Clarkson University’s Payment Plan
- Federal student Loans
- Federal parent Loans
- Alternative student loans
Scholarship Searches
We encourage you to apply for additional scholarships. We will not reduce our scholarship/grant offer if you receive outside scholarships, unless the total amount of your scholarship money from all sources exceeds Clarkson's cost. Please note, ROTC scholarships are not designated as outside scholarships and your Clarkson School awards may be adjusted to accommodate room and board incentives.
Sources for scholarships include:
- Your high school guidance office
- Student and parent employers
- Online searches
- CollegeBoard.com College Financing Calculators
- New York State Higher Education Services Corp. (TAP)
Work Study
If you have financial need, as determined by the FAFSA, you are eligible to work under the Federal Work Study Program. You will have the opportunity to seek jobs at various sites on and off campus. Federal Work Study money is allocated to the University by the federal government and jobs are contingent upon funding. Once you find a job, you will be added to the University payroll and paid bi-weekly by check.
If you do not qualify for Federal Work Study, you may be considered for the University Work Program to work on campus.
Learn more about student employment once to you come to campus and see current job listings.
Federal and State Funding
The federal government provides grants for students attending college or career school. Most types of grants, unlike loans, are sources of free money that generally do not have to be repaid. If you are interested grants, or in any federal student aid, start by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form.
Grants can come from the federal government, your state government, your college or career school, or a private or nonprofit organization. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) offers a variety of federal grants to students. Check out the grant programs for more details and to learn how to apply:
New York Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and Scholarships are available for students that meet residence, income, academic, or other requirements, as established by state law. If you are from New York State, once you complete the FAFSA, your information will be forwarded to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (NYSHESC). If you have never received a state award before, or if NYSHESC needs more information, you will be sent an Express TAP Application to complete.
An estimated NYS TAP award may be included as part of your financial aid awards, however the state’s notification is your official approved award. Some students may also be selected for state-sponsored awards such as the Academic Excellence Scholarship or the NYS Leaders of Tomorrow award.
More information about NYS financial aid programs is available here.
Tuition Exchange for Admissions Applicants
Admission applicants applying for Tuition Exchange at Clarkson University should see the Tuition Exchange Liaison at the exporting school for direction on how to apply. Tuition Exchange is not guaranteed and is very competitive at Clarkson. We typically receive approximately 75 applications but are only able to offer 8-10 TE Grants to incoming students. Preference is given to Early Decision applicants. Clarkson University offers the TE set rate of $41,000 (2023-24) to Tuition Exchange recipients. Clarkson also offers Tuition Exchange Merit Awards in the amounts of $2,000- $10,000 in addition to the Set Rate. These recipients are not eligible for any other Clarkson University funded scholarships or grants. Recipients may file the FAFSA in order to be considered for additional Federal and State need-based assistance. When selecting students for Tuition Exchange, Clarkson looks at a number of factors including the admission application, GPA, SAT or ACT scores, extra-curricular activities, and demonstrated interest in the University. Interviews are not required however they are strongly recommended. For questions or concerns, please contact Erin Dumers at edumers@clarkson.edu.