Carleton's tradition of extending educational opportunities to academically qualified students and meeting their financial need is based on a deep commitment to the belief that a true liberal arts education exposes students to varying backgrounds and points of view outside, as well as inside, the classroom. For this reason, and the more pragmatic one that many parents cannot afford the cost of education today, Carleton encourages high school students to apply for admission without regard to their financial circumstances. The basic philosophy underlying the student financial aid program at Carleton is that families have the primary responsibility to finance their children's education to the extent that they are able. When a family cannot afford our costs, Carleton is committed to meeting a student's need with various types of aid for all those admitted, for all four years.