Colby College is accepting first-year applications for 2027 entry, and international students may apply for need-based financial aid that meets 100% of Colby-calculated demonstrated need without loans. The undergraduate application is free, SAT/ACT scores are optional, and students can apply through the Common Application, Coalition Application or QuestBridge.
Quick answer
- Level: Undergraduate, first-year entry
- Who can apply: Domestic and international applicants
- Funding: 100% of calculated demonstrated need, with grants and campus employment rather than loans
- Application fee: No fee
- Testing: SAT/ACT optional
- Admission deadlines: November 15, 2026 (Early Decision I); January 4, 2027 (Early Decision II and Regular Decision)
- Deadline time zone: Colby does not state a cutoff time or time zone on its official deadline pages
What does Colby financial aid cover?
Colby says it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for every admitted student, including international students. Its aid packages use grants and student employment and do not include loans. The amount is individualized: Colby calculates each family’s ability to contribute, so this is not a fixed-value award and applicants should not assume every package covers the full cost of attendance.
Under the Colby Commitment, families earning up to US$200,000 with typical assets have a parent contribution capped at US$20,000, while families earning under US$75,000 with typical assets have a zero parent contribution. These thresholds are part of Colby’s need-based policy; the final award depends on the full financial review.
Who is eligible?
- Applicants seeking first-year admission to a Colby bachelor’s degree programme.
- Students of any nationality, including applicants studying outside the United States.
- Applicants who submit all admission materials by the deadline for their chosen plan.
- Applicants requesting institutional aid who submit the CSS Profile and any requested follow-up documents.
Colby does not offer broad merit scholarships. The college identifies a US$2,000 National Merit recognition award as a limited exception, so international applicants seeking substantial support should apply for need-based aid.
Required application documents
- Common Application, Coalition Application or QuestBridge Application
- Official secondary-school transcript
- Secondary School Report
- One counselor recommendation
- Two teacher recommendations
- English translations for documents issued in another language
- CSS Profile for institutional financial aid; Colby’s CSS code is 3280
- Noncustodial parent CSS Profile where applicable
- Additional financial documents only if Colby requests them
International applicants for whom the CSS Profile fee creates a hardship may contact Colby about a fee-payment code. Colby instructs applicants not to send extra financial documents unless requested.
English-language and standardized tests
SAT and ACT scores are optional. An English-proficiency result from TOEFL, IELTS or the Duolingo English Test is required when English is neither the applicant’s first language nor the current language of instruction. Colby permits self-reported proficiency scores during the application process. Its published requirements page does not specify a universal minimum score, so applicants should not rely on unofficial cutoffs.
Colby College deadlines for 2027 entry
| Application plan | Admission deadline | Financial-aid deadline | Supporting materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I | November 15, 2026 | November 15, 2026 | November 22, 2026 |
| Early Decision II | January 4, 2027 | January 4, 2027 | January 15, 2027 |
| Regular Decision | January 4, 2027 | January 15, 2027 | January 15, 2027 |
Important: the Regular Decision admission application is due January 4, but the corresponding financial-aid deadline is January 15. Colby’s official pages do not state a deadline time or time zone; submit early rather than assuming a same-day cutoff.
How to apply
- Review Colby’s official application requirements.
- Select Early Decision I, Early Decision II or Regular Decision and note the matching dates.
- Complete the Common Application, Coalition Application or QuestBridge Application. Colby charges no application fee.
- Arrange for your school transcript, school report and recommendations to be submitted.
- Submit an English-proficiency result if the official language rule applies to you.
- Request financial aid in the admission application and complete the CSS Profile using code 3280.
- Monitor your applicant portal and provide additional financial documents only if Colby asks for them.
Frequently asked questions
Is Colby College financial aid fully funded?
Colby meets 100% of each admitted aid recipient’s calculated demonstrated need. Because the calculation is individualized and packages include grants plus a campus-employment expectation, it is more accurate to describe this as full demonstrated-need funding rather than a guaranteed full-cost scholarship for every applicant.
Can international students receive Colby financial aid?
Yes. Colby’s official international-applicant page states that it meets 100% of demonstrated need for admitted students, including international students.
Does Colby require SAT or ACT scores?
No. Colby’s current first-year requirements describe SAT and ACT submission as optional.
Is there an application fee?
No. Colby’s undergraduate application is free.
Do applicants need TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo?
One of those English-proficiency tests is required if English is neither your first language nor the language currently used for your education. Otherwise, the published rule does not require it.
Must international students submit the FAFSA?
No. FAFSA is for eligible US citizens and permanent residents. International applicants seeking Colby institutional aid use the CSS Profile and any documents Colby later requests.
Official sources
- Colby first-year application requirements
- Colby dates and deadlines
- Colby international-applicant guidance
- Colby financial-aid application guidance
Related opportunities
- Pomona College Financial Aid 2027
- Swarthmore College Financial Aid 2027
- Williams College Financial Aid 2027
ScholarshipHubNow independently summarizes official information for applicants. Requirements can change; confirm every item on Colby’s own pages before submitting.
