DePauw Stories

DePauw University has taken the next major step to ensure that talented and ambitious students can access its premier liberal arts education, regardless of financial background.

The DePauw Promise is a new initiative that expands upon the university’s commitment to removing cost as a barrier for students who want to attend DePauw. Starting with the 2026-2027 incoming class, the university will meet 100 percent of the calculated financial need for every incoming first-year student.

Thanks to careful fiscal stewardship and the tremendous generosity of friends and alumni, DePauw has been able to distribute more scholarships and aid to students over the past few years, and it is now poised to deliver a total of $66 million in aid and scholarships in the 2026-2027 academic year. The increase in financial assistance allows the university to meet the full calculated financial need of the incoming class through a combination of scholarships, grants, work study and student loans.

The DePauw Promise is the latest step in an ongoing effort to make a DePauw education accessible to all. It also reflects the remarkable spirit of the entire DePauw community, which is united by a shared dedication to students and families.

President Lori S. White put The DePauw Promise in perspective: “There are many important elements in our Bold & Gold 2027 strategic plan. Meeting the financial needs of every student and ensuring nothing stands in the way of talented students pursuing a DePauw education are critical to our success. We are deeply grateful to our campus community, alumni and friends for supporting our commitment to making a DePauw education accessible to more students.”

Reaching this milestone with The DePauw Promise is cause for celebration and marks a renewed commitment to advancing the university's mission to create the leaders the world needs.

“This is a significant moment and one we intend to continue to build on,” said Beth Petrie, vice president for enrollment management. “It’s another leap forward in recruiting and retaining talented students for DePauw University, a move that positions DePauw to ensure that nothing stands between talented students and all DePauw has to offer.”

The initiative relies on both current use and endowed funds to initiate the project and secure its ongoing support in perpetuity. To learn more about The DePauw Promise, visit this page.