
The Cooper Union, a top-ranked, private college in Manhattan, was founded in 1859 by American industrialist Peter Cooper, who believed that education should be accessible to all members of society, irrespective of their race, religion, sex, wealth, or social status. Initially, the college offered full-tuition scholarships to every admitted student, but this practice was discontinued in 2014. Currently, all enrolled undergraduate students are awarded half-tuition scholarships worth $22,275 per year and a tuition-free senior year valued at $44,550. Additionally, Cooper Union offers need-based tuition remission to incoming undergraduates on a sliding scale and generous scholarships to all admitted undergraduate students, including internationals. However, international students are assessed a fee of $1,005 per semester and are not eligible for federal or state financial aid. The college also offers student loans, although these are not free sums of money and must be repaid after graduation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Cooper Union ended its full-tuition scholarship policy for all students in 2014. Since then, it has offered a half-tuition scholarship to each admitted student, currently valued at $22,275 per school year. In 2024, the school announced that approximately 83% of undergraduate tuition costs would be covered by scholarships in the 2024–2025 academic year. The college plans to return to full-tuition scholarships for undergraduates by the academic year starting in the fall of 2029. |
| Tuition-free senior year | Cooper Union offers a tuition-free senior year currently valued at $44,550. In September 2024, the school announced that all students would not pay tuition for their senior year for the next four years. |
| International students | International students are assessed a fee of $1,005 per semester. They are not eligible for federal or state financial aid but can apply for scholarships. |
| Additional costs | Students are responsible for living and miscellaneous expenses. The "Cost of Attendance" includes Cooper Union tuition and fees, room, board, textbooks, and personal expenses. |
| Financial aid | Cooper Union offers need- and merit-based financial aid. The percentage of students getting federal loans is greater than those getting private loans. |
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What You'll Learn
- Cooper Union offers generous scholarships to all admitted international students
- International students are assessed a fee of $1,005 per semester
- International students are not eligible for federal or state financial aid
- F-1 visa students may accept on-campus employment after their first academic year
- Cooper Union's acceptance rate is 12% across its three schools

Cooper Union offers generous scholarships to all admitted international students
The Cooper Union, a college founded on the belief that education should be accessible to all, offers generous scholarships to all admitted undergraduate students, including internationals. The college was one of the few American institutions to offer a full-tuition scholarship to every admitted student until 2014, when it discontinued the practice and began offering half-tuition scholarships to all students. In 2024, the college announced that approximately 83% of undergraduate tuition costs would be covered by scholarships in the 2024-2025 academic year, with the goal of reaching 100% coverage in the 2029 fiscal year. The college also offers need-based tuition remission to incoming undergraduates on a sliding scale.
The college was founded in 1859 by American industrialist Peter Cooper, who believed that education should be "open and free to all," regardless of race, religion, sex, wealth, or social status. Today, The Cooper Union is ranked among the most prestigious private institutions in the world, with a rigorous admissions process and a low acceptance rate of 12% across its three schools.
International students at The Cooper Union are assessed a fee of $1,005 per semester, in addition to the cost of attendance, which includes tuition, room and board, textbooks, and personal expenses. While international students are not eligible for federal or state financial aid, they can apply for scholarships and loans through the college's ISSO admitted page. The college also provides a budget guide to help students estimate their financial aid award and plan for additional expenses.
The Cooper Union offers a unique opportunity for international students to receive a world-class education with generous financial support. With its commitment to accessibility and merit-based admissions, the college attracts bright and ambitious students from around the world, fostering a diverse and talented community. The college's prestigious reputation and generous scholarships make it a desirable choice for international students seeking a top-quality education.
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International students are assessed a fee of $1,005 per semester
The Cooper Union, a college founded on the belief that education should be accessible to all, discontinued its full-tuition scholarship policy in 2014. Since then, the college has offered half-tuition scholarships to each admitted student. In 2024, the college announced that approximately 83% of undergraduate tuition costs would be covered by scholarships in the 2024-2025 academic year. The college plans to cover 100% of tuition costs by the 2029 fiscal year.
While Cooper Union does offer generous scholarships to all admitted undergraduate students, international students are assessed a fee of $1,005 per semester. This international student fee is in addition to other costs of attendance, including room, board, textbooks, and personal expenses. International students are also not eligible for federal or state financial aid. However, they may be able to access other scholarship or loan options to help fund their education.
It is important to note that the cost of attendance at Cooper Union is the total amount of money the average student has to pay without any financial aid. This includes tuition, fees, room, board, textbooks, and personal expenses. Most students do not end up paying the full price to attend Cooper Union, as financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, and scholarships.
The college also offers need-based tuition remission to incoming undergraduates on a sliding scale. Additionally, the Free Education Committee (FEC) of the school's Board of Trustees has recommended returning to full-tuition scholarships for undergraduates by the academic year starting in the fall of 2028.
To estimate their financial aid award before being admitted, international students can use the net price calculator, which will provide an estimate of their net price and aid eligibility. However, an exact figure cannot be determined without submitting a Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA).
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International students are not eligible for federal or state financial aid
Cooper Union was founded in 1859 by American industrialist Peter Cooper, with the belief that education should be accessible to all, irrespective of their race, religion, sex, wealth, or social status. The college ended its free tuition policy for undergraduates in 2014, but it still offers need-based tuition remission to incoming undergraduates on a sliding scale.
While Cooper Union offers generous scholarships to all admitted undergraduate students, international students are not eligible for federal or state financial aid. However, they can explore other scholarship and loan options to fund their education. Additionally, international students are assessed a fee of $1,005 per semester, and they will need to provide proof of additional funding beyond their personal expenses.
It is important to note that the availability and accessibility of scholarships and loans for international students may vary, and it is recommended to refer to the official website or contact the institution directly for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding financial aid for international students.
To estimate financial aid, students can use the net price calculator to get an estimate of their net price and aid eligibility. However, an exact figure cannot be determined without submitting a Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA). Moreover, international students on an F-1 visa may accept on-campus employment during their first academic year and can explore off-campus employment options after completing their first year, including Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT).
In conclusion, while Cooper Union does charge tuition fees for international students, there are various scholarship and loan options available to help finance their education. It is important for prospective international students to carefully review the available options and plan their financial strategy accordingly to ensure a successful academic journey at Cooper Union.
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F-1 visa students may accept on-campus employment after their first academic year
The Cooper Union was founded in 1859 by American industrialist Peter Cooper, with the belief that education should be "open and free to all". The college offered a full-tuition scholarship to every admitted student until 2014, after which it started offering half-tuition scholarships. As of 2024, nearly half of its undergraduate students were attending on a tuition-free basis. The college also offers need-based tuition remission to incoming undergraduates on a sliding scale.
International students at Cooper Union are assessed a fee of $1,005 per semester, in addition to other costs of attendance. However, Cooper Union offers generous scholarships to all admitted undergraduate students, including internationals. International students are not eligible for federal or state financial aid.
F-1 visa students at Cooper Union are not allowed to work off-campus during their first academic year. However, they may accept on-campus employment after their first academic year, subject to certain conditions and restrictions. On-campus employment includes work given and paid for by The Cooper Union, including work performed on school premises that provides services to the Cooper community, as well as work outside the school premises with an educational affiliation. F-1 students are responsible for tracking their work hours and must not work more than 20 hours per week when the university is in session.
After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training. To be eligible for off-campus CPT employment, students must have completed two semesters of studies (excluding summer) with an active F-1 status, and the work must be an integral part of their program of study. Students are allowed to work part-time during the school session and full-time during breaks. If other employment opportunities are insufficient or unavailable, F-1 students may request employment authorization based on severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances.
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Cooper Union's acceptance rate is 12% across its three schools
Cooper Union, a college founded on the belief that education should be accessible to all, ended its free-tuition policy for undergraduates in 2014. However, it still offers need-based tuition remission to incoming undergraduates on a sliding scale and scholarships to all admitted undergraduate students, including international students. International students are, however, assessed a fee of $1,005 per semester and are not eligible for federal or state financial aid.
Admission to Cooper Union is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of 12% across its three schools. The college is divided into three schools: the Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture, the School of Art, and the Albert Nerken School of Engineering. The acceptance rates for these schools vary, with the School of Architecture at 4%, the School of Art at 9%, and the School of Engineering at 23%. The School of Engineering is the largest of the three schools, with about 550 students.
The Cooper Union's academic programs are rigorous, and it is ranked as one of the top institutions of higher education in the nation. It offers undergraduate and master's degree programs in architecture, fine arts (only at the undergraduate level), and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences. The college is known for its exceptional standard of quality and is ranked among the most prestigious private institutions in the world.
The application process at Cooper Union is holistic, and the college considers the highest section scores across all test dates submitted for the SAT and ACT. Undergraduate applicants whose first language is not English are required to take a language exam if they have not had at least three years of English instruction at a school where English was the official language. Additionally, international applicants must provide proof of additional funding beyond their personal expenses and ensure that their passport name matches their application and language scores.
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Frequently asked questions
No, international students are assessed a fee of $1,005 per semester. However, Cooper Union offers generous scholarships to all admitted undergraduate students, including international students.
Every admitted undergraduate student is granted a half-tuition scholarship valued at $22,275 per year, and a tuition-free senior year valued at $44,550.
International students are not eligible for federal or state financial aid. However, Cooper Union is committed to making education accessible to all, and students can apply for need-based tuition remission on a sliding scale.
F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training.




























