Financial Aid For International Students At The University Of Chicago

The University of Chicago offers financial aid to international students in the form of need-based and merit-based scholarships. The university is committed to enrolling a diverse and talented student body from around the world and has offered nearly $20 million in need-based financial aid to international students over the past four years. International students can also apply for the University of Chicago Scholarship, which offers up to $20,000 per year and covers all undergraduate and graduate courses. The university provides financial support to international students regardless of their home address, and international first-year students are eligible for need-based and merit-based financial aid.

Merit-based scholarships

The University of Chicago offers merit-based scholarships to international students. These scholarships are awarded based on academic and extracurricular achievement, demonstrated leadership, and commitment to their communities. The university is committed to enrolling a diverse and talented student body from around the world and recognises the importance of supporting international students with financial aid.

Merit scholarships are partial-tuition scholarships that can be a single lump-sum award or a renewable annual award. They are considered independently of an applicant's financial situation. The vast majority of financial aid at the University of Chicago is need-based, so applicants should not rely on merit scholarships to fund their entire education. However, the university does offer a range of merit scholarships that can provide significant financial support.

All first-year applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships, and no additional application is required. The University of Chicago Merit Scholarship Committee evaluates applicants based on academic merit, extracurricular achievements, leadership qualities, financial need, and community service. Scholarship winners will be notified on a rolling basis through the end of April.

The University of Chicago Scholarship is another example of a merit-based scholarship offered by the university. This scholarship is available to both domestic and international students and covers all undergraduate and graduate courses. The scholarship amount can be up to $20,000 per year, and it includes benefits such as a monthly stipend allowance, vouchers for books and food, health insurance benefits, and living expenses support.

International students at the University of Chicago should also be aware of the financial aid application process. While merit scholarships do not require a separate application, need-based financial aid must be applied for during the admissions process. International students who believe they will need financial aid at any point during their time at the university should submit the Student Financial Aid Worksheet and supporting documentation, such as proof of family income and assets.

Need-based scholarships

The University of Chicago welcomes students from across the globe and is committed to providing financial support to all, regardless of their home address. The university has offered nearly $20 million in need-based financial aid to international students over the past four years, and a recent gift of $35 million for international financial aid has further strengthened this commitment.

International students are eligible for need-based financial aid at the University of Chicago. The university is committed to meeting 100% of the demonstrated need of admitted students who applied for funding. The financial aid packages are based on an estimate of the full costs of enrolling at the university, including tuition, housing, health insurance, a meal plan, and additional costs like books and personal expenses.

To be eligible for need-based financial aid, international students must apply during the admissions process. Students who do not apply for need-based financial aid during the admissions process will not be able to apply for it in later years. International students will need to re-apply for need-based financial aid each year.

The application requirements for need-based financial aid include the UChicago Financial Aid Worksheet, which must be completed electronically in the applicant's UChicago Account, and proof of family income and assets. If the applicant's home country does not require tax filing, they may submit a statement from their employer outlining annual income and benefits or bank statements showing recurring salary deposits.

The University of Chicago also offers merit-based scholarships to international students with outstanding academic records, extracurricular achievements, leadership qualities, and financial need. These scholarships are considered independently of an applicant's financial situation, and applicants must submit a separate application for need-based financial aid if they require financial assistance.

Application requirements

The University of Chicago offers need-based and merit-based scholarships to international students. Students with outstanding academic records, extracurricular achievements, financial need, leadership qualities, and other eligibility credentials can receive this scholarship to pursue graduate and postgraduate courses at the University of Chicago.

International students who apply for need-based financial aid during the admissions process will need to complete the following requirements:

• UChicago Financial Aid Worksheet: Completed electronically in the applicant's UChicago Account.
• Proof of Family Income: There is no specific Proof of Family Income form. However, the following documents can be submitted:
• 2023 Tax Forms (If not U.S. taxes, provide the home country equivalent, translated into English and converted into U.S. Dollars)
• If the home country does not require tax filing, a statement from the employer outlining annual income and benefits, or bank statements showing recurring salary deposits can be submitted.
• Proof of Family Assets: Asset Verification Form
• Statement of checking, savings and investment account balances
• Statement showing value of property owned other than the primary home (if applicable)
• Any other relevant documentation of asset value

Once the UChicago Financial Aid Worksheet has been submitted, all other documentation must be uploaded to the applicant's UChicago Account.

Please note that international students who do not apply for need-based financial aid during the admissions process are not able to apply in later years. Additionally, financial aid is not available to international transfer applicants.

International Student Stipends

International student financial aid packages will include an international stipend. This portion of the financial aid package will be paid directly to the student either by mailed check or direct deposit to a United States bank account. The funds from the stipend can then be used to pay toward the student's remaining charges due to the university.

In order to receive the stipend, international students are required to complete and upload several documents to Workday:

• Completed immigration documentation (F1 visa students - I20 form; J1 visa students - DS 2019 form)
• I-94 documentation (available online after the student arrives in the U.S)
• An affidavit stating that they will apply for an ITIN upon arrival

The Office of International Affairs will help students with the ITIN Application and filing taxes (if applicable). The Office of Financial Aid will contact first-year international students in August via their UChicago Email address with copies of these forms and instructions on how to complete them.

Due to IRS regulations, international student stipends are subject to US taxation. The University may withhold up to 14% of your stipend for federal tax purposes, and all stipend recipients will need to file a US tax return. However, some countries participate in a Tax Treaty Benefit with the United States, which allows stipends to be tax-free.

International student stipends

The University of Chicago welcomes students from all over the world and is committed to providing financial support to international students. The university has offered nearly $20 million in need-based financial aid to international students over the past four years, and a recent gift of $35 million for international financial aid has further strengthened this commitment.

International students who apply for need-based financial aid during the admissions process will have their eligibility determined during the admissions process prior to their first year. International students will re-apply for need-based financial aid each year. Need-based financial aid from the College is intended to cover tuition and fees as much as possible. Expenses beyond tuition and fees (including food and housing, travel to and from Chicago, etc.) will need to be paid out of pocket or with the help of the international stipend.

International student financial aid packages will include an international stipend. This portion of the financial aid package will be paid directly to the student either by mailed check or direct deposit to a United States bank account. The funds from the stipend can then be used to pay toward the student's remaining charges due to the university.

To receive the stipend, international students are required to complete and upload several documents to Workday. These include:

• Completed immigration documentation (F1 visa students - I-20 form; J1 visa students - DS 2019 form)
• I-94 documentation (available online after the student arrives in the U.S)
• An affidavit stating that they will apply for an ITIN upon arrival
• The Office of International Affairs will help students with the ITIN Application and filing taxes (if applicable)

Due to IRS regulations, international student stipends are subject to US taxation. The University may withhold up to 14% of the stipend for federal tax purposes, and all stipend recipients will need to file a US tax return. However, some countries participate in a Tax Treaty Benefit with the United States, which allows stipends to be tax-free.

International student appeals

The University of Chicago welcomes talented students from all over the world and is dedicated to providing financial support regardless of their home address. However, international students are only eligible for financial aid if they apply for funding during the admissions process. International transfer applicants are not eligible for financial aid.

In rare cases, international students may be able to appeal their financial aid due to a drastic change in family financial circumstances. The following circumstances are considered for international student financial aid appeals:

• Family financial situation impacted by ongoing war or military conflict in their home country
• Family financial situation impacted by national economic crisis in their home country
• Family financial situation negatively impacted by the devaluation of the local currency
• Family financial situation impacted by the primary wage-earning parent becoming incapacitated

Any other situation would not be considered for an international student financial aid appeal.

If you believe that your financial aid offer did not fully consider your individual circumstances, you may submit an appeal to review your financial aid eligibility. There are two general types of appeals: Special Circumstances and Unusual Circumstances. Special Circumstances include Budget/Cost of Attendance Appeals and Family Contribution Appeals. Unusual Circumstances include Undergraduate dependency status appeals, Undergraduate students without parental support, and Undergraduate Unaccompanied Homeless Youth.

Students are encouraged to request an appointment with an advisor to speak confidentially about their circumstances and determine the required documentation. The financial aid appeal preferred submission dates vary by program.

Frequently asked questions