Undergraduate Financial Aid

Expected Student Contribution

Expected earning level for academic year and summer.

The term student effort (or self-help) is used to describe the combination of the following:

  • Student contribution from summer earnings
  • Work-Study/Campus Employment

While the University works to maintain the lowest possible level of student effort, students should anticipate annual increases. Student effort expectations are set annually. 

Estimated 2024-25 Academic Year and Summer Earnings Levels

Class Work-Study Summer
Freshman $2,950 $2,700
Sophomore $2,950 $2,900
Junior $2,950 $2,900 
Senior $2,950 $2,900

Summer Earnings

The Student Contribution from Summer Earnings is a standard contribution required by Brown for all students. Brown expects that a student will earn funds during the summer to contribute toward the following year's academic expenses. The Summer Earnings Expectation is a part of the total Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

If a student decides not to work, takes an unpaid internship, or is unable to work due to athletic/academic/other commitments, the Summer Earnings expectation becomes a part of the student's financial need. When this occurs, most students can apply for loans to meet the increase in financial need. The Summer Earnings Contribution cannot be replaced with University Scholarship. Outside scholarships may reduce a student's Summer Earnings expectation. 

Students who have outside scholarships and/or parent tuition benefits may use these resources to reduce or eliminate the Summer Earnings Expectation.  There are also a limited number of waivers available through special programs associated with SPRINT awards.

The expectation is that, if not otherwise covered by any of the funding sources listed above, the student will earn these funds to help cover some of their overall educational expenses. However, we will not require you to submit information about how you are meeting this expectation, nor will this expectation be explicitly listed on the bill. 

Enrolled for Only One Semester

If you are enrolled for only one semester of the academic year, in most cases, the full Summer Earnings Expectation will be half of the annual level.

Summer Earnings Waiver

Summer Earnings Waivers (SEWs) are provided in conjunction with the SPRINT offers to University Scholarship eligible students. Recipients are provided additional scholarship to replace the Standard Contribution (SC) from Summer Earnings Expectation. The portion of the SC waived will not exceed the standard summer earnings expectation for the student's grade level and is subject to annual review.

Aided students who receive University Scholarship and receive a LINK or UTRA may be eligible for a SEW. SPRINT applicants are automatically considered for a SEW when applying to these programs – no separate application is required. Students are eligible for a SPRINT affiliated SEW only one time during their four years at Brown; for example, if a student secures a LINK/SEW in the first summer at Brown, and then an UTRA in the second summer, an additional SEW  will not be offered in the second summer. 

Receipt of the SEW is contingent on a student’s eligibility for University Scholarship in the academic year following the summer SPRINT award. The SEW is not transferrable to another academic year.  

Work-Study/Campus Employment

An academic year Work-Study/Campus Employment expectation is part of the federal financial aid program. This simply means that you have the opportunity to earn funds through working on campus while here at Brown. For more detailed information on the Work-Study program and Campus Employment here at Brown, please visit the Student Employment website.