<p>One of my teachers told me that the financial aid program is really lenient because of the very large endowment(s) at Princeton. Is this true and what are the specifications of the financial aid program?</p>
<p>Lenient isnt the word. GENEROUS is more like it. </p>
<p>At over $10 billion, Princeton has, if I’m not mistaken, the third largest endowment of any university in the world. But, because of its undergraduate focus and no professional schools, Princeton is by far the richest institution in the world on a per-capita (endowment per student) basis, surpassing all of its peers. </p>
<p>According to US News, Princeton is the #1 school for students who graduate with the LEASE debt. </p>
<p>Approximately 50% of Princeton students are considered to have financial need and 100% of that need is met. The average aid package according to US News is $26,855.</p>
<p>Princeton was the first (and maybe is the only??) university in the country to do away with student loans, and now all financial need is met through direct grants-- NO LOANS! </p>
<p>To conclude, I guess its safe to say that Princeton has the best financial aid program of any university in the country. It trumps all of its peer institutions in this regard.</p>
<p>No loans = no debt. Enough said.</p>
<p>They have a pretty generous system of calculating your need. Ie, they don’t expect you to take out a second mortgage.</p>