Financial Aid For International Students At Rochester University

The University of Rochester is a global institution with over 4,200 international students and scholars from more than 100 countries. The university offers need-based financial aid to international undergraduate students. International students are also eligible for merit-based scholarships. However, due to limited resources, only a small number of international applicants will qualify for need-based financial aid from the university. International students are not required to complete the FAFSA, but they may need to submit other documentation, such as the CSS Profile or the International Financial Support Form (IFSF), to demonstrate their financial need.

International students' eligibility for need-based financial aid

The University of Rochester is committed to welcoming international students from diverse backgrounds and countries each year. Understanding that there are several factors that may affect an international student's ability to pay for their college education, the university offers need-based financial aid to international undergraduate students.

International Students Eligibility for Need-Based Financial Aid

International students at the University of Rochester are eligible for need-based financial aid. However, due to limited resources, only a small number of international applicants will qualify for need-based financial aid from the university. International students with demonstrated financial need may be eligible for the following types of financial support:

• On-campus jobs
• Loans from outside the University of Rochester
• University of Rochester-specific loans
• University of Rochester-specific scholarships

Application Process

To apply for need-based financial aid, international applicants are required to submit the CSS Profile. The CSS Profile is used to determine eligibility for need-based University of Rochester grant funding and must be completed each year of attendance. The application fee for the CSS Profile may pose a financial barrier for some high-need international students. Therefore, the university provides a limited number of CSS Profile fee waivers for eligible students. To request a waiver, students must have submitted a Common Application or Coalition for College Application to Rochester and attest that the CSS Profile fee will present a significant financial burden.

The deadlines to request a waiver are as follows:

• January 15 for first-year applicants
• April 15 for transfer students
• November 15 for spring applicants

Additional Information

It is important to note that international students are not eligible for loans or grants from the US government. However, they may be eligible for private grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. Additionally, international students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.

International students' eligibility for merit-based scholarships

The University of Rochester is committed to welcoming international students from a wide variety of countries and diverse backgrounds. The university provides financial aid and scholarships to international students to help them finance their education.

International students at the University of Rochester are eligible for both merit-based scholarships and need-based financial aid. The university meets 97% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $57,871 per year.

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships. These scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement and other criteria, regardless of citizenship. No additional documentation is required to apply for a merit scholarship. However, to complete the application for admission, students must submit the required documents, including transcripts, recommendations, and English language proficiency exam scores or a waiver request.

International students with financial need may be eligible for need-based financial aid. They must submit the CSS Profile, which is used to determine eligibility for need-based grants from the University of Rochester. Due to limited resources, only a small number of international applicants will qualify for this type of aid.

The University of Rochester also offers on-campus job opportunities and loans for international students. Additionally, students may be eligible for University of Rochester-specific scholarships and grants.

International students' ineligibility for US government loans or grants

The University of Rochester is committed to welcoming international students and currently has over 2,300 international students and scholars from more than 100 countries. The university offers need-based financial aid to international undergraduate students.

International students are not eligible for US federal financial aid, including loans and grants such as Stafford Loans or Plus Loans. US federal aid is reserved for US citizens and permanent residents, who can apply for aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). However, international students at the University of Rochester do not need to complete the FAFSA.

While international students cannot access US government-backed loans, they are eligible for private international student loans. These loans typically require a cosigner and are offered by private organisations or institutions. It is important for international students to carefully consider their financial options and avoid taking on excessive debt.

Other Sources of Financial Aid for International Students:

Although international students are ineligible for US government loans or grants, there are alternative sources of financial aid available. These include:

• Scholarships: International scholarships are specifically designed to fund education programs overseas and can provide valuable financial assistance. Scholarships may be merit-based or need-based, and both types are offered by the University of Rochester. Merit scholarships are awarded based on special skills, talents, or abilities, while need-based scholarships are awarded to students who can demonstrate financial need.
• Home Country Funding: International students can explore funding opportunities from their home country, including organisations or companies, or their government. Some countries offer full scholarships to their students studying abroad. However, there may be stipulations attached to this funding, such as a requirement to return home after graduation.
• International Organisations: Several international organisations, such as the Fulbright Commission and the World Health Organization, provide aid to students worldwide. However, many of these organisations require applicants to be in their home country at the time of application.
• University Financial Aid: Many US colleges and universities offer limited financial aid for international students through their financial aid offices. This aid is typically more common for graduate study than for undergraduate study. Private institutions may have more flexibility to discount or reduce tuition fees.
• Exchange Programs: International students may be able to participate in formal exchange programs between their home institution and a US institution, which can help reduce expenses.
• Personal and Family Funding: According to the Institute for International Education (IIE), nearly 60% of tuition and fee payments for international students in the US come from personal and family sources. However, it is important to carefully consider financial resources and not rely solely on potential income when planning for educational expenses.

International students' eligibility for University of Rochester-specific loans and scholarships

The University of Rochester is a global institution with over 4,200 international students and scholars from more than 100 countries worldwide. The university is committed to welcoming international students from diverse backgrounds and understands that there are many factors that may affect an international student's ability to pay for their education.

International students at the University of Rochester are eligible for both merit-based scholarships and need-based financial aid. The university provides a combination of merit and need-based aid to make enrollment affordable. However, financial need is a contributing factor for international applicants, making admission highly selective for students with financial need.

During the application process, international applicants are required to demonstrate their financial means to attend the university through private funds, sponsorship, or by applying for need-based aid. Those who can meet the full cost of attendance must submit a completed International Financial Support Form (IFSF) with their application. Acceptable sources of funding are listed on the IFSF, and applicants can also submit a copy of a sponsor letter if they are receiving funding from their government or a private sponsor.

International applicants who require need-based financial aid must submit the CSS Profile, which is used to determine their eligibility for need-based University of Rochester grant funding. Due to limited resources, only a small number of international applicants will qualify for need-based financial aid from the university. Additionally, international students are not eligible for loans or grants from the US government but may be eligible for private or University of Rochester-specific grants, scholarships, loans, and other funding opportunities.

All applicants, regardless of citizenship, are considered for merit scholarships, and no additional documentation is required to compete for these. International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.

International students' application process for need-based financial aid

The University of Rochester is committed to welcoming international students from a wide variety of countries and diverse backgrounds. The university understands that there are many factors that may affect an international student's ability to pay for their college education. Therefore, the University of Rochester offers need-based financial aid to international undergraduate students.

International Students Application Process for Need-Based Financial Aid:

Required Supporting Documents:

• Submit the Common Application (CA) or the Coalition for College Application (CoA).
• Secondary school transcript.
• Teacher recommendation (one required).
• School report/counselor recommendation.
• Mid-year report (if available).
• Final transcript (if available) – a final transcript with a formal graduation date is required after successful completion of high school.
• College transcript (if applicable).
• English language exam results or English Proficiency Requirement Waiver Request.
• International Financial Support Form (IFSF) (if you do not require need-based financial aid) or CSS Profile (if you require need-based financial aid). Submit your Profile to the University school code 2928.

Optional Supporting Documents:

• Sign up for an interview (highly recommended).
• Official test scores.
• Links to electronic media (music, websites, photos, videos, etc.).
• Family/Peer Recommendation Form.

Application Deadlines:

• Early decision (ED) students (applying for fall 2025): Submit the CSS Profile by November 1, 12:00 am (midnight) ET.
• Applying for Spring 2025: Submit the CSS Profile by December 1, 12:00 am (midnight) ET.
• Early Decision II and Regular decision students (applying for fall 2025): Submit the CSS Profile by January 5, 12:00 am (midnight) ET.
• Applying for the fall semester: Submit the CSS Profile by March 15, 12:00 am (midnight) ET.
• Applying for the spring semester: Submit the CSS Profile by October 1, 12:00 am (midnight) ET.

CSS Profile Fee Waiver:

The University recognizes that the CSS Profile Fee may be a financial burden for some high-need international students. Therefore, they offer a limited number of CSS Profile fee waivers. To submit a waiver request, students must:

• Have submitted a Common Application or Coalition for College Application to Rochester.
• Attest that the CSS Profile Fee will present a significant financial burden.

The deadline for requesting a waiver is January 15 for first-year applicants, April 15 for transfer students, and November 15 for spring applicants.

English Language Proficiency:

All international students are required to submit proof of English language proficiency. This can be done through English language proficiency exams or by submitting an English Proficiency Waiver Request Form if certain criteria are met.

Notification:

Students who complete all application materials on time and are admitted to the University will receive a financial aid email notification shortly after their admission letter. Every effort is made to ensure that students receive their financial aid award information before the May 1 deposit deadline.

Frequently asked questions