10 Universities with CSS Fee Waivers & Full Funding for International Students (Part 2)
More U.S. universities that waive the CSS Profile fee or offer a free alternative form and fully fund international students — Barnard, Haverford, Grinnell, Northwestern, UChicago, Tufts, and more.

More schools that waive the CSS Profile fee or provide a free alternative financial aid form — and meet 100% of your demonstrated financial need.
1. Barnard College#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | New York City, New York |
| Type | Private women's liberal arts college |
| Students | ~2,700 |
| Ranking | Top 15 Liberal Arts |
| Acceptance Rate | ~9% |
| Financial Aid | 100% of demonstrated need |
Barnard is a women's college affiliated with Columbia University — you can take classes at Columbia, use their libraries, and join their clubs. Located in Manhattan's Morningside Heights, you're in the heart of New York City. Barnard doesn't generally accept College Board CSS fee waivers, but if you can't complete the CSS Profile online (hardship or technical barriers in your country), you can submit the free ISFAA paper form instead. Full details in my Barnard school profile. Note: Barnard funds international freshmen only — transfers get no aid.
2. Haverford College#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Haverford, Pennsylvania |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Students | ~1,400 |
| Ranking | Top 20 Liberal Arts |
| Acceptance Rate | ~14% |
| Financial Aid | 100% of demonstrated need |
With only ~1,400 students, Haverford is one of the most close-knit colleges in America. The school operates on a unique Honor Code where students govern themselves. Part of the tri-college consortium with Swarthmore and Bryn Mawr. If you can't afford the CSS Profile fee, Haverford lets you submit the free ISFAA form instead — so you never pay to apply for aid. Full details in my Haverford school profile. Note: Haverford funds international freshmen only — transfers get no aid.
3. Grinnell College#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Grinnell, Iowa |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Students | ~1,700 |
| Ranking | Top 15 Liberal Arts |
| Acceptance Rate | ~12% |
| Financial Aid | 100% of demonstrated need |
Grinnell has a $2+ billion endowment for just 1,700 students, and provides exceptional financial aid. They don't give CSS fee waiver codes and won't accept a paper CSS Profile — instead they offer their own free form, the ISAFA (International Student Application for Financial Assistance), so you never pay to apply for aid. Open curriculum, strong social justice commitment, and a deeply international community. Full details in my Grinnell school profile. Note: Grinnell's aid is effectively freshman-only — international transfers needing aid are very rarely funded.
4. Carleton College#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Northfield, Minnesota |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Students | ~2,100 |
| Ranking | Top 10 Liberal Arts |
| Acceptance Rate | ~16% |
| Financial Aid | 100% of demonstrated need |
Carleton runs on a trimester system and is known for collaborative culture and academic rigor. They waive the CSS fee or provide an alternative form for international students. Strong in STEM, social sciences, and humanities.
5. Colgate University#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Hamilton, New York |
| Type | Private liberal arts university |
| Students | ~3,200 |
| Ranking | Top 20 Liberal Arts |
| Acceptance Rate | ~13% |
| Financial Aid | 100% of demonstrated need |
Colgate sits on a stunning 575-acre campus in rural upstate New York. Over 60% of students study abroad. The alumni network — especially in New York City — is remarkably strong for career placement. CSS fee waived for qualifying students.
6. Washington and Lee University#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Lexington, Virginia |
| Type | Private liberal arts university |
| Students | ~1,900 |
| Ranking | Top 15 Liberal Arts |
| Acceptance Rate | ~17% |
| Financial Aid | 100% of demonstrated need |
The 9th-oldest university in America (founded 1749), Washington and Lee offers both liberal arts and a business school at the undergraduate level — a rare combination. Located in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. CSS fee waived.
7. Northwestern University#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Evanston, Illinois (near Chicago) |
| Type | Private research university |
| Students | ~8,900 |
| Ranking | Top 10 National |
| Acceptance Rate | ~7% |
| Financial Aid | 100% of demonstrated need |
A top-10 university on Lake Michigan, minutes from downtown Chicago. Northwestern excels across every field — journalism (Medill), business (Kellogg), engineering, performing arts, and sciences. Northwestern doesn't give CSS fee waiver codes — instead it uses the free ISAFA form to bypass the CSS Profile, so you never pay to apply for aid.
8. University of Chicago#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Chicago, Illinois |
| Type | Private research university |
| Students | ~7,500 |
| Ranking | Top 10 National |
| Acceptance Rate | ~5% |
| Financial Aid | 100% of demonstrated need |
One of the most intellectually intense universities in the world. UChicago's famous Core Curriculum and quirky application essays reward creative, unconventional thinkers. No-loan financial aid for families earning under $125,000/year. UChicago doesn't use the CSS Profile at all — you apply for aid with the free UChicago Financial Aid Worksheet, so there's no CSS fee to pay or waive.
9. Tufts University#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Medford, Massachusetts (near Boston) |
| Type | Private research university |
| Students | ~6,700 |
| Ranking | Top 30 National |
| Acceptance Rate | ~10% |
| Financial Aid | 100% of demonstrated need |
Tufts values international perspectives and active citizenship. Located in the Boston area — surrounded by dozens of other universities — the networking and internship opportunities are exceptional. Their international relations program (Fletcher School) is one of the best in the world. Tufts doesn't give CSS fee waiver codes, but they accept the free ISFAA form instead, uploaded through the Applicant Status Portal after you apply (if admitted, they'll give you a free CSS waiver code to complete the profile before enrollment).
10. Berea College#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Berea, Kentucky |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Students | ~1,600 |
| Acceptance Rate | ~30% |
| Financial Aid | Free tuition for every student |
Berea doesn't use the CSS Profile at all — tuition is free for every student. No forms, no fees, no financial aid application needed. Every student receives a full-tuition scholarship plus housing, meals, and a laptop. Students work 10–15 hours per week on campus.
What's Next?#
- Part 3 — Bates, Colby, Kenyon, Oberlin, Macalester, and more
- Part 4 — Whitman, Pitzer, Johns Hopkins, WashU, Vanderbilt, Wesleyan
If you want even more options, check out these comprehensive lists of schools offering full funding:
- 30 Universities with 100% Scholarships for International Students
- 60+ Schools with Full Funding for Bachelor's Degrees
- MPOWER Financing: Student Loans for International Students
Ready to apply? Read the full guide: How to Get a Full Scholarship for Your Bachelor's Degree in the USA.

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