Brown University Financial Aid 2027 is open to first-year applicants of every citizenship. Brown uses need-blind admission for first-year international applicants and says it will meet 100% of the demonstrated financial need of admitted students who apply for aid. This is need-based financial aid—not a merit scholarship—and international applicants who may need support should request aid when they apply for admission.
Quick answer
- Study level: Undergraduate / first-year entry
- Eligible applicants: Domestic and international first-year applicants
- Funding: 100% of Brown-calculated demonstrated financial need
- Admission policy: Need-blind for first-year applicants, including international citizens
- Early Decision deadline: 1 November 2026, 11:59 p.m. in the applicant’s local time
- Regular Decision deadline: 5 January 2027, 11:59 p.m. in the applicant’s local time
- Application fee: US$80; fee waivers are available
- SAT/ACT: Required for first-year applicants
What does Brown University financial aid cover?
Brown states that it meets the full demonstrated financial need of eligible admitted undergraduates. The amount is individualized: Brown calculates what a family can reasonably contribute and builds a need-based aid offer for the remaining eligible cost. This means there is no single scholarship amount.
For international students, Brown explains that aid is normally credited toward tuition, fees, room and meals. The award may also help with travel, books and personal expenses, but Brown specifically says it does not cover vacation and summer expenses. Brown does not offer academic, athletic or other merit awards.
Applicants should therefore avoid describing this as a guaranteed “full ride.” A very high-need student may receive a package covering most or all billed costs, but the actual offer depends on Brown’s assessment of the family’s finances.
Who is eligible?
- You must apply as a first-year undergraduate applicant to Brown University.
- Applicants of all citizenships may request University financial aid.
- International first-year applicants are reviewed without Brown considering their ability to pay.
- You must submit the required admission and financial-aid materials by Brown’s published deadlines.
- International applicants who believe they may need aid during their studies should apply for it with their admission application.
Brown’s international admission page says there is no separate admission application for international students. Applicants use the Common Application and Brown Member section, then follow the financial-aid instructions available through Brown’s systems.
Required admission documents
Brown’s current first-year checklist requires the following core materials:
- Common Application and Brown supplemental essays
- US$80 application fee or an approved fee waiver
- Official secondary-school transcript
- School Report
- Counselor recommendation
- Two teacher evaluations or recommendations
- Early Decision Agreement for Early Decision applicants
- First-quarter or trimester grades for Early Decision applicants when available
- Midyear report and transcript when applicable
- SAT or ACT results
Applicants to PLME or the Brown|RISD Dual Degree must complete the relevant additional essays. Art or music portfolios are optional and have separate SlideRoom dates.
Financial-aid documents
Financial-aid requirements depend on citizenship and family circumstances. Brown’s financial-aid guidance identifies the CSS Profile, parent financial information and supporting income or tax documents among the materials it may require. A noncustodial parent CSS Profile may also be required where applicable. International tax or income records must be translated into English.
Use Brown’s official financial-aid checklist and applicant portal for the exact forms, document year and submission dates assigned to you. Do not rely on an old checklist, because financial-aid forms and tax years change by admission cycle.
Testing and English-language requirements
SAT or ACT: Brown requires either SAT or ACT scores for first-year applicants. Brown says it has no minimum admission score and evaluates results in the context of each applicant’s background and access to testing.
English proficiency: Brown requires admitted international students to demonstrate English proficiency. It highly recommends a proficiency test when English is not the applicant’s first language, primary home language or the main language of instruction throughout secondary school. Brown currently accepts TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, Pearson Test of English and Cambridge English.
Brown lists expected scores in most cases, including IELTS 8.0, Duolingo 130, Pearson 75, Cambridge C1/C2 191, and TOEFL requirements that differ for tests taken before versus from January 2026. Applicants should read Brown’s current English-proficiency page carefully because the TOEFL scale changed.
How to apply
- Choose an admission round. Early Decision is binding; Regular Decision is not.
- Complete the Common Application. Add Brown University and answer Brown’s supplemental questions and essays.
- Request school documents early. Your counselor or school official must submit the transcript, School Report and counselor recommendation. Ask two academic teachers for recommendations.
- Arrange testing. Submit SAT or ACT results and, if relevant, an accepted English-proficiency result.
- Indicate that you are applying for aid. International applicants who may need financial support should request it when applying for admission.
- Complete Brown’s financial-aid process. Submit the current CSS Profile and supporting financial records required for your circumstances.
- Monitor the applicant portal. After Brown receives your application, use the portal to check missing admission and aid materials.
Apply Now on Brown’s Official Website
Deadlines for 2027 entry
- Early Decision: 1 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. in the applicant’s local time
- Regular Decision: 5 January 2027 at 11:59 p.m. in the applicant’s local time
Financial-aid documents may have their own instructions and dates. Applicants should check Brown’s financial-aid portal and current checklist rather than assuming the admission deadline applies to every aid document.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brown need-blind for international students?
Yes. Brown states that first-year international undergraduate applicants are considered under its need-blind admission policy.
Does Brown meet full financial need?
Yes. Brown says it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted eligible undergraduates. Brown—not the applicant—calculates demonstrated need.
Is this a merit scholarship?
No. Brown does not offer merit scholarships. Its undergraduate institutional aid is based on financial need.
Do international students submit a separate admission application?
No. International first-year applicants complete the Common Application and Brown Member section used for first-year admission.
Are SAT or ACT scores optional?
No. Brown’s current checklist requires an SAT or ACT score for first-year applicants.
Can I request aid after admission?
International applicants should request aid when applying if they believe they may need assistance. Brown’s official guidance warns applicants not to postpone that decision.
Official sources
- Brown first-year application checklist
- Brown international applicant guidance
- Brown financial aid for international applicants
- Brown English-proficiency requirements
- Brown need-blind policy for first-year applicants
Related opportunities
ScholarshipHubNow independently summarizes official information. Requirements can change, so always confirm your personal checklist in Brown’s official applicant portal before submitting.
