Admissions and Financial Aid

Vanderbilt uses a holistic admissions process —we do not employ cutoffs for standardized testing or grade point averages. Rather we look for students who have demonstrated strong academic skills and intellectual curiosity, and who have engaged in activities outside the classroom that have nurtured their growth as leaders. Most successful applicants have taken a very rigorous course load and have challenged themselves at the highest levels of the available curriculum. Note that Vanderbilt does not consider demonstrated interest in the admissions review process.

Vanderbilt offers three decision plans for first-year applicants: Early Decision I, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision.

Early Decision I and II are binding decision plans and are appropriate for students who are committed to attending Vanderbilt if they are admitted. The applicant, a parent or guardian, and the high school counselor must sign the Early Decision Agreement, indicating the student’s commitment to attend Vanderbilt if offered admission. If the student is admitted to Vanderbilt, they must immediately withdraw applications to all other colleges and universities.

Regular Decision is non-binding and permits students to apply to any number of schools and to make their matriculation decision in the month of April, after all admission decisions are known.

Early Decision applicants undergo the same thorough review for need-based financial assistance and merit scholarships as Regular Decision applicants.

Note: Applicants may change their Vanderbilt decision plan via the MyAppVU portal. Decision plan changes can be submitted only up to 2 weeks after the decision plan deadline. The Early Decision Agreement is required for students who change their decision plan to Early Decision I or II.

We meet 100% of every student’s demonstrated financial need, without loans.

Our resolve to make a Vanderbilt education accessible and affordable to all admitted students is stronger than ever. Both our need-based and merit-based scholarships reflect our dedication to making a Vanderbilt education possible.

Vanderbilt makes three commitments to cultivate a community of talented intellectuals from all social, cultural, and economic backgrounds.

1. For U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens, your ability to pay is not part of the admission decision.
2. We meet 100% of your family’s demonstrated financial need.
3. Your financial aid award will not include loans.

Our financial aid program does not involve income bands or cutoffs that limit eligibility.

Vanderbilt awards merit-based scholarships to applicants who demonstrate exceptional accomplishment and intellectual promise.

Three signature scholarships —the Ingram Scholars Program, the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship, and the Chancellor’s Scholarship —comprise the majority of Vanderbilt’s merit-based awards. Recipients of these scholarships are guaranteed full-tuition awards for up to eight semesters that include a stipend for research, study abroad, a creative endeavor, or the required Immersion Vanderbilt experience.