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The F&M Commonwealth Commitment

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Franklin & Marshall College is committed to making a high-quality liberal-arts education available to every qualified student from Pennsylvania. Through our Commonwealth Commitment, we offer the following support to all Pennsylvania residents admitted to F&M as first-year students.

The Driver Behind the Commonwealth Commitment

We believe that talent is equally distributed across Pennsylvania’s socioeconomic spectrum, and we pledge to enroll high-achieving scholars of all backgrounds. Empowering and nurturing academically promising students in our home state of Pennsylvania is the Diplomat Way.

Why Invest in an F&M Education?

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A Launchpad for Success

The tremendous success of F&M graduates demonstrates the tangible value of an F&M degree when compared to national outcomes. 92% of the Class of 2024 were either employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduating.

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Real-World Learning

Our graduates' success can be traced to our dedication to an educational experience grounded in hands-on learning. You’ll connect ideas from the classroom to meaningful experiences such as research, internships, and off-campus study — experiences purposefully crafted to create the depth of expertise you’ll need to excel in any career or postgraduate pursuit you choose.

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A Diplomatic Community

A robust network of community-minded supporters and highly invested advisers will guide you along the way: faculty, fellow students, professional mentors, and a network of 28,000 alumni invested in your lifelong success as fellow Diplomats.

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A Global Campus

We bring you and your peers together across borders, cultures, and languages, energizing your mutual learning and expanding your perspectives. A student body that is 17% international, 9 language departments, 170 study-abroad programs, a dedicated international center, and our culturally diverse home town of Lancaster all contribute to a thriving global campus.

What’s Next?

We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions regarding the Commonwealth Commitment below. And if you have additional questions or just want to learn more from a member of our team, simply email us at financialaid@fandm.edu and we will follow up with you.

FAQ

Who is eligible for the Commonwealth Commitment?

Any Pennsylvania resident who meets the family income requirements is eligible. We look at two key thresholds: families earning $75,000 or less per year and families earning between $75,000 and $150,000 per year when determining eligibility.

How do I apply for it?

All Pennsylvania resident applicants who complete the financial aid process are automatically considered! Our requirements include the 2026-27 FAFSA, 2026-27 CSS PROFILE, and 2024 federal tax documents, which you’ll upload to the College Board’s IDOC Portal.

How does F&M calculate my family’s income and assets?

Your family’s income and assets are determined by information reported on the FAFSA and CSS PROFILE, and all aid applicants will have their information verified by review of your federal tax documents, which you’ll upload to the College Board’s IDOC portal.

Will I be eligible for the Commonwealth Commitment for all four years?

All domestic students' eligibility for financial aid is reevaluated after each academic year. F&M offers financial aid on an annual basis, determined after careful analysis of the aid application materials you submit. If your family's financial situation changes, the amount and type of financial aid we offer may be adjusted in a subsequent academic year.

Am I eligible for aid beyond the Commonwealth Commitment?

Franklin & Marshall College is committed to meeting all admitted students’ institutionally determined level of financial need. You may be eligible for need-based aid beyond the Commonwealth Commitment based on our financial aid formula.

If I receive an outside scholarship, how does that affect the Commonwealth Commitment?

Outside scholarships do not affect the gift aid — grants and/or scholarships — that a student receives from Franklin & Marshall College. If an outside scholarship amount causes a student’s total financial aid package to exceed the cost of attendance budget, the self-help portion of the financial aid package will be reduced first. This includes work study and/or federal direct student loans.

What happens to my Commonwealth Commitment if my family’s financial circumstances change?

If your family’s financial circumstances change, please contact our Office of Financial Aid, and your assigned contact will guide you through the proper process. All applicants and their families have a designated financial aid counselor based on the first letter of their last name.

Need-based financial aid must be re-applied for each year. Please note that our financial aid formula will not change during your four years at Franklin & Marshall College.
Contact financial aid »

Can I be considered for both merit aid and the Commonwealth Commitment?

Yes, all applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships, and all Pennsylvania residents are considered for the Commonwealth Commitment.

Is there a limit to the number of students who can receive the Commonwealth Commitment?

No, but for context, F&M enrolls between 25 and 35 Pennsylvania students in each incoming class.

Will I need to take out loans as part of financing my F&M education?

All first-year domestic students who complete the FAFSA form are packaged with the standard federal direct student loan amount of $5,500. Students are not required to accept this portion of their financial aid package.

Many F&M families will pursue additional lending through a variety of options, which can include private education loans or federal Parent PLUS Loans. Our financial aid team is here to assist you with your questions about a variety of financing options.
Learn more about loans »

How does the Commonwealth Commitment affect my costs if I choose to study abroad?

For all off-campus study programs, students are charged for their standard F&M tuition. The college does not change students for housing, meals, fees or any miscellaneous charges. The off-campus study host institution will directly bill students for those charges.

The Commonwealth Commitment and your financial aid package will not be affected by your decision to study abroad.

If I am not a Pennsylvania resident, am I still eligible for financial aid?

Yes, F&M considers all students for need-based financial aid and merit aid.

Can I talk to someone about the Commonwealth Commitment?

Yes! Email us at financialaid@fandm.edu and one of our financial aid team members will follow up with you.