Clark University: Financial Aid For International Students?

Clark University offers financial aid to international students in the form of merit scholarships and need-based grants. The university recognises the importance of diversity and has a strong global commitment, which is reflected in its financial aid offerings. International students are not eligible for financial aid from the state of Massachusetts or the U.S. government, but Clark University provides various opportunities for financial support. The university also offers payment plans and fixed tuition rates for international students and their families.

Merit scholarships for international students

Clark University offers various financial aid opportunities to international undergraduate students. Each year, a select number of first-year and transfer international students receive merit scholarships and need-based grants.

International first-year students are eligible for five merit scholarships: the International Traina Scholarship, the International Achievement Scholarship, the International Jonas Clark Scholarship, the Presidential Scholarship, and the Global Scholars Scholarship. All international first-year students are automatically considered for the first three scholarships. To be considered for the Presidential Scholarship and the Global Scholars Program Scholarship, separate essays are required.

International transfer students are eligible for three merit scholarships: the International Traina Scholarship, the International Achievement Scholarship, and the International Jonas Clark Scholarship.

All international students who apply to Clark University are automatically considered for merit scholarships.

Other Scholarships and Financial Aid

The Office of International Programs at Clark College awards two $500 scholarships each year to eligible continuing international students. They also offer two $1,000 scholarships annually for newly admitted international students.

In addition, Clark University offers payment plans and the option to fix the tuition rate for four years at the first-year level. International students and their families may also be eligible to borrow from private lenders with a creditworthy U.S. cosigner.

Need-based grants for international students

Clark University offers a range of need-based grants and scholarships for international students. Each year, a select number of first-year and transfer international students receive merit scholarships and need-based grants, reflecting the university's commitment to diversity and global engagement.

Eligibility

To be eligible for need-based grants, students must meet the definition of an international student, which is anyone who is not a US citizen or permanent resident.

Application Process

International students seeking need-based financial assistance must complete the College Scholarship Service (CSS)/Financial Aid PROFILE form. Deadlines for this form vary depending on the student's application type and semester. For instance, for first-year students, the deadline is January 15 for Regular Decision or Early Decision II applicants, November 1 for Early Action or Early Decision I applicants, and May 1 for fall transfer applicants.

The CSS Profile is the only acceptable application for financial aid, and it must be submitted online to the College Board. Clark University does not accept the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA).

Additional Information

While Clark University provides need-based grants, it cannot offer financial assistance to cover the full cost of attendance. The admissions process is need-aware, meaning that applications may be denied on financial grounds if the student's financial need exceeds what Clark can provide through merit scholarships and need-based aid.

International students should also be aware that they are not eligible for state or federal financial aid and that on-campus employment opportunities are limited and should not be relied upon as a significant source of income.

Other Opportunities

In addition to need-based grants, Clark University offers several merit-based scholarships for international students, including the International Traina Scholarship, the International Achievement Scholarship, and the International Jonas Clark Scholarship. All international applicants are automatically considered for most of these scholarships.

Clark College

It's worth noting that there is also a Clark College, which is different from Clark University. Clark College offers scholarships for international students, including $500 scholarships for continuing international students and $1,000 scholarships for newly admitted international students.

The CSS Profile application process

Clark University provides financial aid opportunities to international undergraduate students. Each year, a select number of first-year and transfer international students receive merit scholarships and need-based grants. To be considered for need-based financial assistance, applicants must submit the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile.

The CSS Profile is an online application used by colleges and scholarship programs to award non-federal institutional aid. The application is free for families who make up to $100,000 a year. It is important to note that Clark University does not accept the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA).

• Check if the colleges you are applying to require the CSS Profile. A list of participating schools is available online.
• Start your application by signing in using the appropriate year sign-in button on the homepage. If you have a College Board account for the SAT, PSAT, or AP, use the same username and password to sign in.
• Complete the application. The application may be completed in sections and does not need to be done all at once. You can save your progress and return to it later. Sections and questions will be marked as being about either the student or the parent.
• Submit the application. The submit date and time are based on Eastern Time. If necessary, you will pay your application fee when you are ready to submit. The fee for the initial application is $25, and additional reports cost $16. Payment can be made via credit or debit card.
• Review your dashboard, which includes your payment receipt and any next steps, such as uploading documents through the Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC). You can also add additional schools at any time by clicking on "Add a College or Program."
• If you need to make any corrections or include additional information after submitting your application, you can update it by clicking "Correct Your CSS Profile" on your Dashboard.

It is important to note that the CSS Profile Support will be closed on certain dates, such as December 25th and January 1st, and will have specific support hours on other dates.

Clark's admissions process

Clark University offers a holistic admissions process, seeking students who are always growing, learning, compassionate, and curious. The university provides a range of application options, including the Common App, the Coalition App with Scoir, and the Clark App, ensuring a fee-free and accessible process for prospective students.

First-Year Students

First-year applicants are encouraged to apply through the Early Decision process if they are certain that Clark is their top choice. This is a binding agreement, requiring accepted students to enrol at Clark and withdraw applications from other institutions. The Early Decision option allows students to receive an early decision and financial aid award by January. Alternatively, Regular Decision is available, with a deadline of January 15, and decisions are typically communicated by mid-to-late March.

Transfer Students

Transfer applications are due later than first-year applications, and decisions are released within two to four weeks.

International Students

International applicants may have additional application requirements. If English is not the applicant's native language, they must submit an official TOEFL, Duolingo, or IELTS score report. Clark University considers English proficiency holistically, taking into account scores, transcripts, essays, and letters of recommendation. Interviews are strongly encouraged, especially for non-native English speakers. The application deadline for international students is the same as for first-year and transfer students, depending on their chosen semester start.

Financial Aid

Applications for financial aid should be submitted simultaneously with the admissions application. For need-based aid, domestic applicants must complete the FAFSA form, while international applicants require the CSS Profile form. All applicants are automatically considered for merit-based aid, ranging from $13,000 to $28,000, without the need for an additional application.

On-campus employment for international students

International students with F-1 status may work on campus without any additional authorization from the ISSO, but they are limited to working a total of 20 hours per week while classes are in session. F-1 students may work full-time during official university breaks.

To work on campus, students must first apply for a Social Security number (SSN) and complete the "onboarding" process, which includes verifying official government identification documents. Students can find and apply for on-campus jobs through the Clark University website.

Frequently asked questions