Affordable by design: Why Notre Dame’s financial aid works for every student

As the cost of higher education continues to rise, colleges are taking a closer look at how students and families navigate the financial realities of paying for college. Increasingly, institutions have an opportunity to supplement traditional billing structures with the kind of payment flexibility families have come to expect elsewhere.

In a recently televised segment on CNBC’s Now We Know! with Steve Guttenberg, the University of Notre Dame and Nelnet Campus Commerce (NCC) highlighted a shared vision for access and affordability that’s reshaping how students experience the cost of higher education.

Together, the partnership demonstrates what’s possible when institutional values and payment technology are intentionally built around the same goal.

No two students experience college the same way—and there’s no single path to paying for it. A 2025 Sallie Mae study found that nearly three‑quarters of students rely on parental support through a diverse mix of income, savings, and loans, while 60% also apply for financial aid. Alongside these options, many families choose alternatives to lump-sum payments, with one in five students using a payment plan.

When funding sources, timelines, and financial circumstances vary this widely, fixed payment structures can quickly become a barrier to education. Recognizing that risk, the University of Notre Dame introduced Pathways to Notre Dame, a financial aid program that meets 100% of every student’s demonstrated financial need without loans, while giving families more control over how and when they pay.

“The University of Notre Dame is committed to ensuring that all students, regardless of socioeconomic background, can afford a Notre Dame education,” explained Micki Kidder, Notre Dame’s Vice President for Undergraduate Enrollment. “We feel that it’s core to our mission. It’s core to our Catholic character.”

Pathways to Notre Dame’s intentionally designed aid structure reflects the University’s commitment to access. Through the program, students and families can use Nelnet Payment Plans to spread college costs into predictable monthly installments instead of paying the full balance at the start of the semester. This approach gives families greater flexibility in budgeting while helping them avoid unnecessary debt.

Even with strong financial aid programs in place, how a student pays can make the difference between staying enrolled and leaving without a degree. 59% of students say they have considered dropping out due to financial stress. The impact goes beyond educational goals. College costs play a significant role in overall well-being, with nearly 80% reporting that financial stress negatively impacts their mental health.

Addressing these realities requires more than financial aid alone. It requires flexible payment infrastructure that accommodates a wide spectrum of budgetary needs.

NCC’s partnership with the University of Notre Dame is grounded in a shared commitment to expanding access to higher education by rethinking how families choose to pay for college. Both organizations recognize that affordability isn’t defined by a single payment method or timeline, but by giving students and families a range of payment options that reflect how real families budget today.

For NCC President Jackie Strohbehn, the central challenge is making sure no student feels locked in or locked out because of payment timing.

“We’re focused on removing rigid barriers, where families feel like they only have one way to pay, or one way to afford college,” said Strohbehn. “And our technology allows those barriers to be removed so that families and students can afford and budget for their education to actually make it a reality.”

Since its launch in 2024, Pathways to Notre Dame has quickly become a cornerstone of the University’s affordability strategy. Backed by more than $40 million in new recurring annual investment, the program continues to expand, extending zero-tuition eligibility to families with incomes below $150,000.

Its success reflects an approach that goes beyond aid. By integrating payment flexibility early in the college experience, students can focus on making the most of college—instead of worrying about how to pay for it.

One student enrolled in Pathways to Notre Dame shared that her financial aid package has helped her spend more time designing her ideal college experience, including pursuing networking opportunities and professional development.

“Pathways to Notre Dame allowed me to choose a school that I loved and I knew that I would belong at instead of just choosing a school based on cost,” said Valeria Torres, Class of 2029.

Expanding access to higher education and supporting students once they arrive requires close alignment between institutional mission and financial infrastructure. At Notre Dame, that alignment brings together the University’s commitment to affordability and a payment experience designed to support students and families over time.

“Universities focus on delivering access to education,” said Strohbehn, “and partners like Nelnet Campus Commerce provide the financial infrastructure to help execute on that mission.”

If your institution is focused on expanding access and supporting long‑term student financial wellness like Notre Dame, NCC partners with 700+ colleges and universities to deliver secure, flexible payment solutions built to integrate with every major ERP.

See how Notre Dame is expanding access and affordability through mission-aligned payment technology.