A diverse group of graduates in academic gowns throwing their caps in the air.

the USA Closing soon Closes 1 November 2026

Yale Need-Based Financial Aid for International Students

Yale is among the small group of US universities offering both need-blind admission to international applicants AND a commitment to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need with grant aid only — no loans. For families earning under USD 75,000 a year, Yale's expected contribution is typically zero. The full cost of attendance is currently around USD 90,000 a year; if your demonstrated need is the full amount, Yale will fund the entirety as grant. This is one of the most generous undergraduate financial commitments globally — and it's open to Sri Lankan applicants.

Single-Choice Early Action closes 1 November 2026; Regular Decision deadline 2 January 2027 for Fall 2027 entry

Yale University

University-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

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Coverage

100% of Demonstrated Need

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Duration

4-Year Bachelor's

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Admissions

Need-Blind All Citizenships

info How this award actually works

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Who awards it

Yale University — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.

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How you are considered

Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.

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What it covers

100% of Demonstrated Financial Need Met. This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.

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Where we come in

We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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Admitted Yale Undergraduate

Any applicant admitted to Yale College's first-year class. Aid application is submitted concurrently with admission but reviewed separately.

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Demonstrated Financial Need

Yale's Student Financial Services calculates your family contribution from the CSS Profile and parent income documents. Anything above the family contribution is met by Yale Scholarship (grant, not loan).

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Need-Blind for International Applicants

Yale is one of fewer than 10 US universities that does not consider citizenship or financial need when making admissions decisions. Sri Lankan applicants compete on equal terms with US students for admission.

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No Self-Help Burden for Low-Income Families

For families earning under USD 75,000 / year with typical assets, the expected family contribution is zero. The student work expectation (~USD 3,500/year from campus jobs) is also waived for the lowest-income tier.

account_tree Application Process

Submit Yale application

Apply via the Common App, Coalition App, or QuestBridge — Yale-specific questions include short essays and an interest statement. Recommendations from teachers and your school counsellor are required.

Submit aid forms

Submit the CSS Profile (which is the universal US international aid form) plus parent and student tax/income documents. International deadlines mirror admission deadlines.

Admission decision

Single-Choice Early Action decisions release mid-December; Regular Decision in late March. Aid eligibility is determined separately so it does not affect the admission outcome.

Aid package + acceptance

Admitted students receive a Yale Scholarship letter detailing the grant amount, expected family contribution, and (optional) work expectation. International students receive grant-only aid.

Why Yale?

Yale is consistently ranked in the world top 20 and is one of the United States' most prestigious universities. The need-blind, no-loan international aid policy is rare and means Yale is often the most financially accessible top US university for high-need families.

#23

QS World Ranking 2026

100%

of Need Met, No Loans

USD 0

Family Contribution Below USD 75k Income

Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?

Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.

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