Dean College, located in Franklin, Massachusetts, offers many forms of aid to help its students achieve their dreams. It’s all part of what they call “The Dean Difference.”
With more than 500 events a year, Dean College offers students an education on a campus rich in tradition. There are 1,200 full-time students, and 90% of them live on campus. Class sizes are kept small, with the average class having only 18 students.
The college also awards $25 million in merit-based aid to its students, with 95% of its students receiving some form of financial assistance.
Dean University’s Center for Financial Planning and Services encourages students to learn more about the college’s competitive tuition and fees, generous scholarships, and financial aid opportunities. To help determine students’ financial need, the school also offers a Dean College Net Price Calculator.
Tuition and Fees
To aid its students in the search for financial aid and help prepare them for upcoming financial obligations, Dean University includes a breakdown of its cost of attendance to help students calculate tuition and fees.
For 2019–20 commuter students, the cost of attendance – including tuition, new student fees, and student activity fees – was $40,714. For residents who also paid for an unlimited meal plan and housing, the total cost was $57,972.
On average, commuter students receive a $22,500 financial aid package, with $17,000 in scholarships and grants and $5,500 in federal student loans. Students who are residents receive an average of $34,000 in financial aid, with $27,000 from scholarships and grants, $5,500 in federal student loans, and $1,500 from federal work-study programs.
Additional student costs at Dean University include books ($1,000 a year), transportation ($1,000 a year), and personal expenses ($500 a year). Full-time students are also required to purchase health insurance ($1,919), although this fee is waived if the student is already covered by another policy.
Along with the standard academic programs, students can opt for specialized fee-based programs such as the Arch Learning Community. The Arch Learning Community, at $3,600 a semester, provides three hours a week of academic coaching as well as specialized programs that support students with physical or learning disabilities.
Another program called Academic Coaching offers one-on-one tutoring for an hour per week, at $850 a semester.
Financial Aid
Dean College offers financial aid in the form of scholarships, need-based grants, educational loans, work-study programs, and veterans’ benefits.
The first step for students applying for financial aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, which is available online as well as through an Android and iOS app.
Dependent students must have the following information available for both themselves and their parents (for independent students, only their own information is necessary):
- Social Security number or Alien Registration number
- Records of money earned, including federal income tax returns and W-2s
- Records of investments and bank statements
- Records of untaxed income
- An electronic signature
If you are unsure whether you’re considered a dependent or independent student, this questionnaire will help you to determine your status. The questions focus on when you were born, your marriage status, whether you’re a veteran of the U.S. armed forces, and whether you have any dependents.
Within about two weeks of receiving your FAFSA results and gaining admittance to Dean College, you will receive a financial aid package that will include your out-of-pocket costs. After receiving that package, Dean College suggests speaking with one of their financial aid counselors for guidance deciding what financial aid options work best for you.
Types of Aid
Because Dean University is committed to making students’ educational dreams a reality, it offers many types of merit-based scholarships. The average amount of merit-based aid Dean University students receive is $19,000.
Academic scholarships from the school, both general and specialized, are part of the academic application process.
- The Oliver Dean Honors Scholarship recognizes outstanding academics in high school. Recipients are invited to the school’s honor program and the National Society of Leadership and Success.
- The Trustee’s Scholarship is for students who have demonstrated exemplary academic achievement in high school and show great promise.
- The Presidential Scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate potential but did not reach their potential in high school.
- The Performing Arts Scholarship recognizes students applying directly to the dance and theatre programs who have outstanding dance or theatre achievements.
- The Dean Transfer Scholarship: Transfer students with 45 college-level credits are eligible for a $3,000 award, in addition to merit-based scholarships. Students with 60 college-level credits or an associate’s degree are eligible for an additional $5,000.
Specialized scholarship awards require an additional application.
- Franklin High School Scholarship: One student from Franklin High School receives a $35,000 tuition scholarship each year.
- Tri-County High School Scholarship: One student from Tri-County High School receives a $35,000 tuition scholarship each year.
- Hockomock Area YMCA Scholarship: This $35,000 scholarship is awarded to student members or active volunteers of the Hockomock Area YMCA who are graduates of a high school within the area.
- Dance scholarships: Significant scholarships are offered to those participating in the Dance Masters of New England, Dance Teachers Club of Boston, and Headliners.
Massachusetts offers specific scholarships for students as well, including:
- Agnes M. Lindsay Scholarship
- Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship
- Early Childhood Educators Scholarship
- High Demand Scholarship Program
- John and Abigail Adams Scholarship
- One Family Inc. Scholarship Program
- Paul Tsongas Scholarship
The school also encourages students to procure outside scholarships and grants. To find out more about grant opportunities, students should contact their local town or city hall, high school guidance office, local civic organizations, and public library.
Grants
Students also have access to need-based grants from Dean College, Massachusetts, and the U.S. government.
Massachusetts offers seven grants, in addition to seven scholarships and tuition waiver programs (Vermont and Pennsylvania also let students use state funds to attend schools in Massachusetts).
Massachusetts grants include:
- Foster Child Grant
- MASSGrant & MASSGrant Plus
- Massachusetts Gilbert Matching Student Grant
- Massachusetts Cash Grant
- Massachusetts Part-Time Grant
- Massachusetts Public Service Grant
- Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant
The Massachusetts Gilbert Matching Student Grant is for full-time students who meet the requirements for the Massachusetts State Grant. It is contingent upon fund availability and provides $1,000–$1,500 per academic year.
Loans
The federal government offers both subsidized and unsubsidized student loans. Direct subsidized loans have an award of up to $5,500, are need-based, and do not accrue interest while a student attends school at least half-time. In contrast, subsidized direct loans have interest that accrues during the entire duration of the loan.
In their first year of college, dependent students can receive up to $5,500 in direct student loans, while independent students can receive up to $9,500. For second-year students and beyond, the loan amount increases.
Overall, the maximum amount students can borrow is $31,000 for dependent students and $57,500 for independent students.
Private parent and student loans are also available.
Work-Study Opportunities
Federal work-study opportunities are available for students at Dean College. To qualify, students must demonstrate high need and be able to work in one of the school’s on-campus community-service positions for between six and eight hours a week.
Work-study jobs are posted online for current students to review. For those who do not qualify for work-study, additional on-campus employment is available, and many local businesses also employ students.
Veterans Benefits
Dean College participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which provides benefits to veterans. Those eligible for U.S. Veteran Education Benefits must apply to receive a certificate of eligibility. Veterans also qualify for benefits through the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018. Veterans should note that, while the Yellow Ribbon Program is available, it often replaces previously awarded institutional funding.
As you evaluate your options for student loans and other methods of paying for college, bookmark College Finance as a key resource. At College Finance, we offer step-by-step support for planning your college experience, borrowing money for college, repaying loans, and making fiscally responsible decisions.
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