These initiatives make it easier for students from moderate-income backgrounds to choose Brown and worry less about accruing debt that might limit their professional choices after graduation.
Starting with all students enrolled for the 2022-23 academic year, Brown will change the calculation of how much some families have to contribute to pay for their child’s education.
The University will eliminate the consideration of a family’s home equity in their primary residence as an asset when calculating a student’s available financial resources.
A primary residence is the primary location where a family resides. This includes a house, townhouse, condominium, apartment, etc,. as long as it is where a family lives. If the family lives in and owns a multi-family home, that home is considered both a primary residence and a financial investment. In this case, the value of the portion of the property in which the student’s family resides, is considered home equity and will be excluded. The other residence(s) are included in the calculation as a family asset for both federal and institutional eligibility.
Families with a total annual income equal to or below $125,000, that have typical assets for their income level, may be eligible for funding that covers the full cost of tuition. As such, for those that qualify, the amount of University Scholarship, federal and state grants, and outside resources will be at a level that ensures the total is equal to the cost of tuition (does not include fees, housing, and meals).
Total Income/Earnings: The family income amount is the Adjusted Gross Income (which appears on the parent’s federal tax return), plus any nontaxable income, business/rental property losses, capital losses, or depreciation on real and/or rental property, as well as business distributions/payments and social security benefits. With total parent income established, we deduct allowances for certain non-discretionary expenses. After allowances, the need-analysis formula determines the percentage of any remaining income to be used for educational expenses. For additional factors considered for income/earnings and allowances, please review the chart under the Parent Income tab.
Typical Assets for a family’s income level usually reflects the sum of the following amounts:
NOTE: Brown does not include assets that are in a qualified retirement plan such as 401k, 403b, IRA, Keogh, or equity in your primary residence
**The Office of Financial Aid reserves the right to make the final determination of the expected family contribution, in consideration of all factors affecting a family’s overall financial situation and ability to pay.
Reduced Student Earnings Expectations for our highest-needs students (those with $0 parent contributions)
Starting with Academic Year 2022-23, the summer earnings expectation for students with a $0 Parent Contribution will be reduced by $1,000. This results in a student receiving a University Scholarship, federal grants, and/or outside scholarships in an amount of $1,000 ($500 per semester) in excess of direct costs for tuition, fees, housing, and food. With this change, Brown scholarships will cover all direct expenses while also supporting personal expenses.
Brown’s highest need students, coming from families with total incomes of less than $60,000 per year and assets less than $100,000, as determined by the Office of Financial Aid, will receive scholarship/grants equal to the amount of standard tuition, fees, room and meals.
Brown is also providing University scholarships to families with middle/moderate total incomes and has increased the scholarship awarded to these families. Brown financial aid offers include federal, state and institutional, need-based scholarship, and a Work-Study or Campus Employment component, but no loans.
These University initiatives are determined based on a family’s calculated total income. A family’s total income is determined by the Office of Financial aid through reviewing tax documents and financial aid application materials. Total income is the sum of Adjusted Gross Income plus all untaxed income. Examples of untaxed income include untaxed social security benefits, untaxed business revenue, pension contributions and withdrawals, child support received, etc. Please visit the parent income section of our website for complete details of the determination of total income.