The JWU Pledge
Through The JWU Pledge, Johnson & Wales University will make our high quality, hands-on education more accessible and affordable.
Free Tuition for Qualifying Students
This initiative is focused on families with household incomes below $200,000. The JWU Pledge offers eligible families (from all U.S. states and territories) grant and scholarship packages covering up to 100% of tuition.
| income range | grant & scholarship packages |
|---|---|
| Income up to $80,000 and Pell Eligible (verified by FAFSA ) | 100% Tuition Covered |
| Income between $80,001-$200,000 (verified by FAFSA) | Minimum 70% Tuition Covered |
Grant and scholarship packages referenced above can include institutional, federal and state scholarship and grant resources.
Pledge funds are added to the financial aid package last, after all other grants and scholarships, in order to bring the package to either 100% or 70% tuition, depending on your Pledge eligibility.
They will not include loans, however any loan eligibility can be used to help cover housing and meal costs.
International students, graduate students, doctoral students, ABSN students, students pursuing a second associate or bachelor’s degree, and online students enrolled through JWU Online are not eligible.
To be eligible for the JWU Pledge program, students must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be eligible for a Pell Grant (for those seeking 100% tuition coverage)
- Have a high school GPA of 3.2 or higher*
- Attend JWU as a new full-time student beginning Fall 2026
- Live on campus. For eligible commuter students, we offer the JWU Commuter Grant in place of the Pledge.
- Complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
*For transfer students who have completed at least 24 college credits, we will use the college GPA to determine eligibility.
What is the JWU Pledge?
The JWU Pledge will cover up to 100% of eligible undergraduate students’ tuition, building upon already-existing efforts to make a college education more affordable and accessible. This program includes grants, scholarships and aid from federal, state and institutional sources to cover the cost of tuition for eligible students. Details on the eligibility are above.
The JWU Pledge covers tuition only and is determined by your family’s income listed on your FAFSA. This does not include lab or other fees, supplies, books or room and meal plans.
No, but students need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for the JWU Pledge. Our Student Financial Services team determines if you are eligible based on your family’s verified income on your FAFSA.
North Carolina residents should also complete their Residency Determination along with the FAFSA.
The deadline is the same for all financial aid packages, which you can get from your financial planner.
You need to reapply by filing a FAFSA each year because your eligibility is determined by your family’s reported income on your FAFSA.
Yes. If you qualify for the JWU Pledge, you’ll receive merit and need-based scholarships first, and then any financial aid from the JWU Pledge will be added.
Note: Pledge funds are added to the financial aid package last, after all other grants and scholarships, in order to bring the package to either 100% or 70% tuition, depending on your Pledge eligibility.
If you applied for one of these four majors, you could be eligible for the JWU Pledge if you meet its eligibility criteria.
If you meet the qualifications for the JWU Pledge, you will still qualify if you are enrolled in a full-time study abroad program that’s held during the academic year. But if you are enrolled in a summer study abroad program you will not qualify.
If you didn’t qualify for The JWU Pledge and your family’s financial situation changes, contact your financial planner to ask if you can file an appeal.
No. Students who entered JWU before Fall 2025 are not eligible for the JWU Pledge. That said, JWU has increased need-based aid significantly over the last few years, which means that most current students are already being awarded financial aid of the same amount or close to the amount that they would receive from the JWU Pledge.
Visit JWU
There’s so much to do (and see) at JWU! Whether you are exploring the Providence or Charlotte campus, you will get an up-close look at what makes JWU great. Explore where you’ll live, learn and enjoy all campus has to offer. We can’t wait to show you JWU!