Pathways to Notre Dame

Pathways to Notre Dame is the University’s signature undergraduate financial aid program designed to reduce financial barriers to a transformative education. It ensures that the University reads all domestic and international applications need-blind and meets 100% of every student’s demonstrated financial need without including loans in aid offers.

 

Beginning in 2026-2027, Notre Dame is expanding the program to include specific income-based commitments to provide greater transparency and clarity for families

Through a need-based financial aid offer, the Notre Dame Pathways program provides families in the income ranges listed below need-based aid (scholarship, grant, work) awards that cover full tuition, fees, and housing and food; full tuition; or half tuition. These offers are based on total family income and assets. Students who demonstrate financial need beyond the minimum support will receive additional scholarship to meet their need. We also meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for families that do not fall within the listed income ranges. Loans are not included in our financial aid offers.

No, these income levels are not strict cut-offs for receiving scholarship assistance. Instead, they represent minimum levels of support for families with typical assets. If your family’s income exceeds these thresholds, you may still qualify for financial aid based on your individual financial circumstances.

Beginning in 2026-27, all undergraduate students (incoming and returning), including both domestic and international students, are eligible for these levels of support.

There is no single dollar amount that defines “typical assets", however, it generally means your assets are in a range that is proportionate to your income. Assets include cash, savings, home equity, investments, real estate equity, business or farm equity, etc. We exclude qualified retirement accounts.

If a family has assets above what is typical for their income level, they may not qualify for the levels of support reflected above (see Question 3). However, Notre Dame will continue to meet the full demonstrated need for students based on a comprehensive review of their financial aid application(s).

Our policy of meeting full demonstrated financial need for admitted students applies to all undergraduate students, regardless of citizenship.

We are committed to ensuring that you can afford Notre Dame all four years of your schooling. Financial aid is reviewed annually to ensure that your need is met, and, if your family experiences a significant change in income or assets, you may submit a Change in Circumstances form to the Office of Financial Aid for re-evaluation.

1) The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) — Required for domestic students.

2) The CSS Profile — Required for all students (domestic and international) seeking need-based aid to attend Notre Dame.

Families demonstrating need within the outlined income ranges will automatically be evaluated for Pathways through the standard financial aid application process.

Students must annually complete the financial aid application process each year to be considered for need-based aid. Families whose financial need increases will receive assistance within the outlined ranges. Families whose income, assets, or number of children in college change may experience a change in financial need, and their need-based aid will be adjusted accordingly.

Yes. For all recipients of need-based aid, the University provides scholarships and grants that do not need to be repaid. While families may choose to take private or federal loans, Notre Dame does not include them in financial aid offers to meet demonstrated need.