Washington and Lee University
PA-8: Affordability and Access

The W&L Promise guarantees a minimum grant of tuition to any undergraduate student admitted to W&L with a total family income below $100,000 and assets typical for their income. Furthermore, students may be eligible for additional grants to cover room, board, and other educational expenses. Transfer students are also eligible for the W&L Promise.

To determine students' demonstrated need, we assess each family's income and assets with the assistance of the CSS/Financial Aid Profile from the College Board. Applicants who wish to be considered for the W&L Promise or any university-funded need-based assistance at W&L must complete an application for university need-based grant by the deadline associated with their admissions application.

1) We are a partner institution with QuestBridge (http://www.questbridge.org/). Through this partnership, we recruit, enroll and fund high-achieving low-income students.
2) We waive application fees for any student who indicates that paying said fees constitutes a financial hardship.
3) W&L uses only grants and work study (no loans) to meet the demonstrated need of admitted students.

The Johnson Scholarship Program awards full tuition, room and board scholarships each year to up to 44 exceptionally qualified students regardless of their family’s circumstances. Each Johnson Scholar also receives financial support for summer opportunities such as internships, research, and independent projects.

In 2017, Washington and Lee University joined 68 of the nation's top-performing colleges and universities in an alliance to substantially expand the number of talented low- and moderate-income students at America's undergraduate institutions with the highest graduation rates. This growing alliance, called the American Talent Initiative (ATI) brings together a diverse set of public and private institutions united in a shared goal of educating 50,000 additional high-achieving, lower-income students across the country. Each ATI member institution will enhance its own efforts to recruit, enroll and support lower-income students, learn from each other and contribute to research that will help other colleges and universities effectively serve those students.

On Nov. 21, 2016, Washington and Lee joined a group of more than 600 colleges and universities in a call for the United States to uphold and continue the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program.

We also participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays up to the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition and fees. The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program allows colleges and universities to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed that amount.

And the Army ROTC: The Army Department at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) has a partnership agreement with Washington and Lee University for students interested in participating in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). W&L students attend Army ROTC military science classes at VMI once a week for classroom and lab instruction. Students receive college credit and these courses are free of charge. Those desiring to pursue a commission and who meet all eligibility criteria can enter the United States Army as a commissioned officer immediately upon graduation. Two, three, and four year ROTC scholarships may be available. Currently, scholarships cover tuition and fees plus a significant stipend. New G.I. Bill benefits are also available to Army veterans.