The Yale University Scholarship makes a world-class education accessible to all students. Yale follows a need-blind admissions policy for both domestic and international applicants. This ensures that admission decisions are never influenced by a student’s financial situation.
Yale guarantees to meet 100% of every admitted student’s demonstrated financial need. The scholarship is awarded as a grant-based aid package, not as a merit award. Students admitted to Yale can secure full financial coverage based entirely on their family’s financial situation.
This support allows students to focus on academics without the burden of debt. Funding covers tuition, housing, meals, and travel. In fact, students from families earning less than $75,000 annually often pay nothing, making Yale education affordable worldwide.
On average, Yale awards more than $50,000 per year in scholarship funding. The package can range from a few hundred dollars to over $90,000 annually, depending on need. These figures highlight Yale’s commitment to supporting global talent through generous aid.
Scholarship Overview
- Type: Need-based grant, not merit-based
- Coverage: Tuition, housing, meals, travel, and fees
- Range: $300 – $90,000 annually
- Average Award: $50,000+ per year
- Debt-Free Policy: Students can graduate without loans
Eligibility Criteria
1. Financial Need
- Yale reviews family income, assets, household size, and special circumstances.
- Families earning under $75,000 per year typically contribute $0.
2. Admission to Yale
- Applicants must be admitted to Yale University through Early Action, Regular Decision, or Transfer admission.
- Yale’s need-blind policy applies to all applicants, including international students.
Application Process for Financial Aid
Financial aid application is separate from the admission application. Students must submit specific financial aid documents before deadlines.
- FAFSA: For U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
- CSS Profile: Required for all applicants (domestic and international).
- Tax Returns: Parents’ signed federal tax documents, submitted via the College Board secure system.
All materials must be submitted by the same deadlines as admissions. Late applications may result in reduced or delayed aid.
Financial Aid Package Breakdown
- Yale Scholarship Grant – The largest portion of aid, fully covering demonstrated need.
- Parent Contribution – Determined by family financial resources. Families earning under $75,000 contribute $0.
- Student Share – Standardized contribution of $3,700 annually, earned through part-time jobs or summer work.
Key Deadlines
- Early Action: November 1
- Regular Decision: January 2
- Transfer Admission: March 1
Students should prepare both admissions and financial aid documents simultaneously to avoid missing deadlines.
Additional Aid Opportunities
- Graduate and Professional Students: Aid available through scholarships, fellowships, and stipends.
- International Study Award (ISA): Provides a stipend for one summer abroad for undergraduates.
- Outside Scholarships: External awards can reduce or eliminate the student share requirement.
Apply Now
The application for financial aid is separate from the admissions application. Students must submit financial aid forms by the stated deadlines. Each form has a specific purpose depending on the applicant’s background.
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Link: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
- For U.S. citizens and permanent residents only.
- Determines eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs.
- CSS Profile
- Link: https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/
- Required for all applicants, including international students.
- Provides Yale with detailed family income, asset, and expense information.
- This is the main form used to calculate Yale Scholarship awards.
- Yale Financial Aid Office
- Link: https://finaid.yale.edu/
- Official Yale portal for financial aid policies, deadlines, and required documents.
- Students can track updates, confirm submission, and find official guidance here.
