Undergraduate Cost and Financial Aid

*All expenses are estimates and are subject to change, based on policy changes and cost of living increases. Freshmen are also billed a $345 Orientation Week fee. If the student stays on campus during orientation, then there is also a $500 housing and meals fee. International freshmen are also billed $395 for Undergraduate International Orientation. Students are required to maintain health insurance coverage wile enrolled at Rice. Health insurance is not included in the standard Cost of Attendance and is an additional billable cost if the student cannot demonstrate coverage by a comparable insurance plan. For more information, please visit https://financialaid.rice.edu/cost-attendance

The Shepherd School of Music awards merit-based scholarships to music majors to recognize exceptional musical accomplishment and potential. Students who wish to be considered for a merit award are expected to apply for need-based assistance and complete the Shepherd School Financial Assistance Application. Rice will award need-based funds through the Office of Financial Aid if eligible. 

Rice considers international applicants on a need-aware basis, and offers need-based financial aid to a limited number of international first year applicants. This means when the Admission Committee evaluates international applications, the amount of financial aid a family might need is taken into consideration. Students who wish to be considered for financial aid must indicate their intention to apply for financial aid on the admission application. International students admitted without a request for financial aid cannot apply for financial aid in subsequent years.

For additional information on Rice University Financial Aid programs, including the Rice Investment, please visit https://financialaid.rice.edu/.  

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 1. Use 003604 for the school code.
2. Complete the CSS PROFILE form by February 1. Use 6609 for the CSS Profile Code.
3. Submit income tax and other required materials through the College Board's IDOC by February 1.
4. Shepherd School Financial Assistance Application is a fillable Google form that is required if you wish to be considered for SSM merit scholarship or Rice University financial aid (where applicable). Your answers from the form will be emailed to you. Please save the answers as a .pdf and then upload to your preliminary submission.

Applicants must complete all four steps for consideration.