Which US Universities Provide Financial Aid to International Undergraduate Students?

Many U.S. universities offer financial aid to international undergraduate students, catering to their varying needs and backgrounds. Here is a comprehensive list of notable institutions that provide both need-based and merit-based financial assistance to international students.

Need-Blind for International Students

These universities evaluate financial need but do not consider it in their admission decisions, ensuring a fair assessment of all applicants. Here are some notable examples:

Harvard University offers need-based financial aid to all students, including international students, ensuring that financial background does not affect admission decisions.

Yale University also offers need-blind admissions for all students, including international applicants, and provides need-based financial aid to support admitted students.

Need-Aware but Generous Aid

These universities assess financial need as part of the admissions process but still provide substantial financial support. Here are some institutions:

Princeton University offers need-based financial aid while maintaining a need-aware admissions process. Despite considering financial need in admissions, they provide significant support to admitted international students.

Columbia University offers need-based financial aid to international students, ensuring that financial background does not affect admission decisions.

The University of Chicago provides need-based financial aid for international students, supporting their educational pursuits despite the need-aware admissions process.

Dartmouth College offers need-based financial aid to international students, though their admissions process is need-aware. They provide support to those who are admitted.

Merit-Based Scholarships

These universities provide scholarships based on academic merit, talent, or specific fields of study. Here are some institutions:

USC offers various merit-based scholarships for international students, recognizing academic excellence and potential.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign provides merit-based scholarships, including the Illinois Commitment program, for eligible international students.

Emory University provides merit-based scholarships for international students, acknowledging outstanding academic performance and talent.

Additional Institutions

Several other universities offer a range of scholarships and financial aid options for international students:

Boston University offers a variety of scholarships, including merit-based aid, to support international students financially.

NYU provides a range of scholarships and financial aid options for international students, supporting their educational goals.

The University of Michigan offers financial aid and scholarships to international students, though its admissions process is need-aware.

Key Points to Consider

Prospers international students must be aware of the following key points before applying:

Application Requirements

Most universities require the CSS Profile or other financial documents to assess financial need accurately.

Scholarship Availability

Many institutions may have specific scholarships for international students based on academic merit, talent, or specific fields of study.

Deadlines

International students should pay close attention to financial aid application deadlines, which may differ from standard admissions deadlines.

Before applying, it is crucial for prospective students to check each university's financial aid policy and available scholarships on their official websites. These policies and available options can change over time, so it is important to stay informed and proactive.