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MeritPlaybook / Take-home research

Olin College
Decision sheet

Massachusetts · Research checked 2026-07-02 · School research, not an aid offer

The starting point

Starting Fall 2026, Olin's universal merit award is a FIXED $10,000/year Olin Tuition Scholarship for every admit (no longer half tuition) — a modest offset against $67,004 tuition — supplemented by the new Phoenix Award and a commitment to meet full demonstrated need.

More than one award path. Some awards use published academic thresholds. Others have different selection criteria. A score chart does not describe every award at this school.

Awards to discuss

First 3 of 4 recorded awards, in chapter display order. This is a selection, not a ranking. Read the full chapter for all awards. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.

Olin Tuition Scholarship

$10,000 · Published amount

Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.

Eligibility: All admitted students; recognizes pre-college achievement. No separate application.

Renewal: Awarded for a maximum of eight semesters of required full-time study. Full-time Study Away (pre-approved) counts as one of the eight semesters; a partial semester (withdrawal/leave) also counts. Payment of full tuition is required for any semester(s) beyond eight. Forfeited if permanently disqualified for academic/disciplinary reasons.

Other terms: FIXED $10,000/year for ALL incoming students starting Fall 2026 — this replaces the historic 'half tuition to all admits.' Against 2026-27 tuition of $67,004, this covers roughly 15% of tuition.

https://www.olin.edu/admission-financial-aid-afford/aid-scholarships

Phoenix Award

$7,000-$17,000 · Published range

Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.

Eligibility: Recognizes leadership, service, community impact, and commitment to educating/edifying/healing. Preference to students from middle-income families. Chosen during the two-step holistic admission process.

Renewal: A four-year grant; released at the time of admission.

Other terms: New starting Fall 2026. Designed to bridge the gap for middle-income families.

https://www.olin.edu/admission-financial-aid-afford/aid-scholarships

Iris Shanyue Tang Scholarship Fund

Up to $10,000 · Variable or qualified amount

Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.

Eligibility: Students who have achieved academic excellence and have a demonstrated interest in the arts.

Renewal: Up to $10,000 per year, for up to four years of study.

Other terms: Named in honor of Iris Shanyue Tang '29. Combines academic excellence with an arts interest.

https://www.olin.edu/admission-financial-aid-afford/aid-scholarships

Ask before you decide

  1. Which entering-year policy and residency category apply to us? What are the admission and scholarship deadlines?
  2. What grades and credits are required to renew, and for how many terms?
  3. How would other school awards or outside scholarships change the offer?

Recorded stacking policy: Merit awards are coordinated with need-based aid: the Olin Tuition Scholarship is counted as a resource used to meet demonstrated need and cannot reduce the family's calculated contribution. Outside scholarships restricted to tuition only reduce the Olin Tuition Scholarship if they exceed remaining tuition; otherwise outside awards reduce self-help (subsidized loans) first.

Our unanswered questions / Family notes

Keep the sources with the decision

Full research, award details and source context: https://meritplaybook.com/colleges/franklin-w-olin-college-of-engineering/merit-aid

The research date is not a guarantee that a policy still applies. Confirm current amounts, deadlines and conditions with the school before making a financial decision.