The Stevens Investment

Overview

What is the Stevens Investment?

The Stevens Investment is a bold commitment to expanding access to a transformative Stevens education. Beginning with the incoming class of Fall 2026, Stevens Institute of Technology will offer full tuition coverage to first-time, first-year, full-time undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents admitted to a degree program, whose families earn $75,000 or less per year and have typical assets.

To qualify, students must complete both the FAFSA and CSS Profile by the posted application deadlines.

Tuition may be covered through a combination of federal, state, merit-based, donor and institutional need-based aid. While loans and federal work-study may be part of a student’s financial aid package, they will not count toward covering full tuition. Tuition will be covered 100% by grants and scholarships that do not require repayment.

The Stevens Investment reflects the university’s dedication to making college more affordable and accessible — empowering talented students to pursue their dreams without the burden of tuition costs.

Stevens is introducing this program beginning in Fall 2026. Eligibility criteria may change, and the program may be modified or discontinued for newly enrolled students in future academic years.

Is there a separate application for The Stevens Investment?

There is no separate application for The Stevens Investment. To be considered, students must submit both the CSS Profile and FAFSA by the financial aid deadline for their application round (application rounds are Early Decision I or II, Early Action and Regular Decision) to determine income and asset eligibility. Late submissions will not be eligible.

Eligibility Requirements

What are the eligibility requirements for The Stevens Investment?

Eligibility requirements are as follows:

U.S. citizen or permanent resident, first-time, first-year, full-time undergraduates entering Fall 2026 and beyond.
Students must apply and be admitted in the application round that they indicated at the time of application.
Submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile by the financial aid deadline for their application round (Early Decision I or II, Early Action or Regular Decision).
Demonstrate a family income of $75,000 or less per year with assets that fall within the typical range for that income level.

Note: After submitting the CSS Profile and FAFSA by the application round deadline, a student may be selected for institutional verification to confirm their and their family’s income and assets. To complete this process, the student must submit all required documents demonstrating eligibility by the deadline provided. Students will be notified of their verification selection, how to submit the required documents and the deadline to submit the required documents via email from the Office of Financial Aid.

What happens if a student does not complete the CSS Profile and FAFSA by the financial aid deadline for their application round?

Students who do not submit the CSS Profile and FAFSA by the financial aid deadline for their application round will not be considered for The Stevens Investment. They will still be evaluated for merit scholarships, as well as federal, state and institutional need-based aid.

Are there student categories who are not eligible for The Stevens Investment?

The following student categories are not eligible for The Stevens Investment:

First-time, first-year, full-time students who are non-U.S. citizens or non-U.S. permanent residents
Students admitted to the Stevens Link Semester program
Students who were waitlisted as an initial admissions decision
Transfer students
Graduate students

While these student categories are not eligible for The Stevens Investment, they will still be evaluated for merit scholarships and institutional need-based aid.

Are students who defer still eligible for The Stevens Investment?

Admitted students who choose to defer their enrollment for one year and were awarded full tuition coverage through The Stevens Investment must submit a new CSS Profile and FAFSA the next academic year to be reconsidered for the full tuition benefit. Merit scholarships awarded at the time of admission will remain valid for one year.

For example, a student who defers from Fall 2026 to Fall 2027 will be considered for The Stevens Investment if the student submits a new CSS Profile and FAFSA for the academic year beginning Fall 2027 and meets the eligibility requirements.

Students who deferred from Fall 2025 to Fall 2026 will also be considered for The Stevens Investment if the student submits a new CSS Profile and FAFSA for the academic year beginning Fall 2026 and meets the eligibility requirements.

Does a student have to live on campus to be eligible?

Yes, a student would need to live on-campus during their first year. Students who commute from home/a relative’s home will not be eligible. Students who need to live at home for medical/disability reasons may be eligible and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.

Are current students eligible for The Stevens Investment?

Although current students are not eligible for this specific program, Stevens encourages students with questions or concerns about financial aid to contact the Office of Financial Aid. The Office of Financial Aid is available to help students understand their financial aid offer and explore available resources to support them during their time at Stevens. 

Will a student be eligible every year they are enrolled for The Stevens Investment?

Eligibility is renewable for up to eight semesters starting with the students entering in Fall 2026. Returning students must:

Submit a CSS Profile and FAFSA by April 15 each year (no exceptions).
Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress and full-time enrollment.
Continue meeting income and asset thresholds. Students on leave of absence must resubmit the CSS Profile and FAFSA documents to be reconsidered.

Financial Requirements

What does “typical assets” mean?

Students with a family income of $75,000 or less per year and whose assets fall within the typical range for that income level may qualify. Assets evaluated for eligibility may include: 

Cash, savings, checking 
Investments (includes but is not limited to college savings plans, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc.) 
Equity in real estate, including the family’s primary home
Business and farm net worth
Trust income
Other sources of income

A family’s retirement account and assets are not included.

What does “total income” mean?

Total family income is the sum of the total of student and parent wages, earnings from a business or other self-employment, other taxable income (such as unemployment compensation) and all untaxed income. 

In addition to the student, a “family” typically includes biological, adoptive and stepparents.

If a student is awarded The Stevens Investment, are there other costs they should expect to pay?

In addition to tuition, the Cost of Attendance (COA) includes:

Direct costs: mandatory fees, housing and dining expenses (which are shown on the student’s bill)
Indirect costs: estimated expenses for books, supplies, travel and other personal expenses (which are not shown on a student’s bill)

These costs that extend beyond tuition will not be covered by The Stevens Investment and represent the typical expenses a student can expect to incur at any college or university.

If a student’s CSS Profile and FAFSA do not accurately reflect their current financial situation, can they still be considered for The Stevens Investment after they have been accepted and financial aid offers have been released?

Stevens understands that the 2026–2027 FAFSA and CSS Profile might not accurately show a student’s current financial situation. If a student has experienced a significant change in circumstances and believes they may now qualify for The Stevens Investment, they should contact the Office of Financial Aid after being admitted and receiving their financial aid offer. Additional documentation may be needed. Please remember that any adjustments to financial aid are not guaranteed and depend on the documentation submitted and the funding available.

Other Aid and Scholarships

If a student does not meet the qualifications for the program, will they still be considered for other financial aid? 

Students who do not meet the eligibility requirements for The Stevens Investment will still be considered for all types of financial assistance for which they otherwise may be eligible, including merit scholarships as well as federal, state and institutional need-based aid.

How does an external scholarship impact a student’s funding from this program? 

The Stevens Investment will not be reduced due to the receipt of an outside scholarship unless the entire financial aid offer plus outside scholarship is equal to or greater than the Cost of Attendance. If an outside scholarship can only be applied to tuition, institutional aid may be reduced by the overage amount.

Major Requirements

Is this program only for certain majors? What if a student switches their major while at Stevens?

The Stevens Investment is available to students of all majors. Changing majors will not affect eligibility for The Stevens Investment.

Eligibility Changes

What happens if a student’s financial situation changes, and they are no longer eligible for The Stevens Investment in their future years at Stevens?

To be considered for The Stevens Investment each academic year, returning students must submit both a CSS Profile and FAFSA by the priority deadline of April 15. If a student’s family financial situation changes in a way that affects eligibility for The Stevens Investment, the financial aid package may be adjusted.

If a student is not eligible for The Stevens Investment at the time of their Fall 2026 acceptance, but their financial situation changes while they are attending Stevens, can they be reconsidered for the program in future semesters?

Stevens understands that circumstances may change after first applying for financial aid. If a student experiences a significant change in circumstances and believes they may now meet the income and asset eligibility requirement for The Stevens Investment, they should contact the Office of Financial Aid to discuss their situation. Additional documentation may be requested. Please remember that any adjustments to financial aid are not guaranteed and depend on the documentation submitted and the funding available.

Could The Stevens Investment change in the future?

Stevens is introducing this program for first-time, first-year, full-time U.S. citizen or permanent resident undergraduate students beginning in Fall 2026 and reserves the right to change the eligibility criteria or discontinue this program for new enrollments going forward. Please reference our website for the most up-to-date information on the program.

What if a student applies during an earlier application round and they are deferred to and admitted in a later round? Are they still eligible?

If a student is deferred to another application round, they will still be considered for The Stevens Investment. However, if a student was initially waitlisted, they will not be considered.

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