The starting point
Historic women's LAC in Northampton, Massachusetts that combines real merit aid (STRIDE Scholarship $22,500/year + $3k research stipend; Zollman Scholarship at half-tuition for fewer than 10 students) with a Fall-2026 free-tuition program for families with income ≤$150,000 and assets ≤$200,000 — and no loans in any institutional aid package.
Selection beyond grades and scores. These awards are not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read each award's selection rules, application steps and dates. Meeting a minimum is not an award offer.
Awards to discuss
The 2 awards in this school's research. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.
STRIDE Scholarship
$22,500 per year (limited to $11,250 per semester) for four years — plus a $3,000 annual research-assistant stipend for two of those years (effective Fall 2023) · Published award terms
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
Eligibility: Outstanding academic and personal qualifications. Awarded to approximately 50 students each year. All applicants are automatically considered through the admission application — no separate scholarship form. Provides a close working relationship with a Smith faculty or non-faculty research mentor.
Renewal: Renewable for four years with satisfactory academic progress. Selection retains the STRIDE research relationship through the four-year track.
Other terms: Merit scholarships are considered a resource when determining need-based aid — for need-eligible students, the STRIDE replaces what would have been institutional grant rather than stacking. The $3,000 research stipend is paid as employment, separate from the scholarship.
https://new.smith.edu/admission-aid/tuition-aid-applicants/first-year-applicants
Dora Windes Zollman Scholarship
Half of the tuition cost for four years · Published coverage or package
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
Eligibility: Fewer than ten first-year recipients per year. Smith's highest academic scholarship. Zollman Scholars are invited to participate in the STRIDE paid research program. Restricted to U.S. citizens. No separate application — auto-considered through admission.
Renewal: Renewable for four years with satisfactory academic progress.
Other terms: Zollman = STRIDE + half-tuition. The combined value (~$45,000/year tuition share + $22,500 STRIDE + research stipend) is one of the most generous private LAC merit packages published.
https://new.smith.edu/admission-aid/tuition-aid-applicants/first-year-applicants
