10 Universities with CSS Fee Waivers & Full Funding for International Students (Part 3)
More U.S. universities that waive the CSS Profile fee and fully fund international students — Bates, Colby, Kenyon, Oberlin, Macalester, F&M, Holy Cross, and more.
More schools that waive the CSS Profile fee or offer a free alternative — and meet 100% of your demonstrated financial need for a bachelor's degree.
1. Bates College#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Lewiston, Maine |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Students | ~1,800 |
| Ranking | Top 25 Liberal Arts |
| Acceptance Rate | ~14% |
| Financial Aid | 100% of demonstrated need |
Test-optional since 1984, and Bates removes the CSS Profile barrier entirely — international students don't submit the CSS Profile at all, using Bates' own free BISAFA form instead, so applying for aid costs nothing. Bates has been removing barriers for over 40 years. One of the first coeducational colleges in America, with a long history of inclusivity. Strong emphasis on community service and civic engagement. Full details in my Bates school profile.
2. Colby College#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Waterville, Maine |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Students | ~2,000 |
| Ranking | Top 20 Liberal Arts |
| Acceptance Rate | ~8% |
| Financial Aid | 100% of demonstrated need, no loans |
Over $1 billion invested in new facilities and programs. Colby's DavisConnects program guarantees every student a funded internship or research experience. No-loan aid packages and CSS fee waived — Colby removes every financial barrier it can.
3. Kenyon College#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Gambier, Ohio |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Students | ~1,850 |
| Ranking | Top 30 Liberal Arts |
| Acceptance Rate | ~30% |
| Financial Aid | 100% of demonstrated need |
Home to one of the best creative writing programs in America, with several Pulitzer Prize-winning alumni. The ~30% acceptance rate and CSS fee waiver make Kenyon one of the most accessible fully-funded options.
4. Oberlin College#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Oberlin, Ohio |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Students | ~3,000 |
| Ranking | Top 40 Liberal Arts |
| Acceptance Rate | ~33% |
| Financial Aid | 100% of demonstrated need |
The first college in America to regularly admit Black students and women. Oberlin's Conservatory of Music is one of the best in the world — the only top conservatory attached to a liberal arts college. Progressive culture with CSS fee waived.
5. Macalester College#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Saint Paul, Minnesota |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Students | ~2,200 |
| Ranking | Top 30 Liberal Arts |
| Acceptance Rate | ~30% |
| Financial Aid | 100% of demonstrated need |
About 15% of the student body is international — one of the highest at any liberal arts college. Located in the Twin Cities metro with a major job market. CSS fee waived, ~30% acceptance rate, and a deeply global community.
6. Franklin & Marshall College#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Lancaster, Pennsylvania |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Students | ~2,300 |
| Ranking | Top 40 Liberal Arts |
| Acceptance Rate | ~30% |
| Financial Aid | 100% of demonstrated need |
About 20% of the student body is international. F&M has built its identity around global diversity. Lancaster is charming and affordable, Philadelphia is 90 minutes away. F&M doesn't hand out institutional CSS Profile fee waiver codes — instead it lets you skip the CSS fee entirely by applying for aid through its own free F&M International Aid Form in the F&M International Aid Portal.
7. College of the Holy Cross#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Worcester, Massachusetts |
| Type | Private liberal arts college (Jesuit) |
| Students | ~3,100 |
| Ranking | Top 30 Liberal Arts |
| Acceptance Rate | ~32% |
| Financial Aid | 100% of demonstrated need |
A Jesuit liberal arts college (you don't need to be Catholic) with a powerful alumni network. The ~32% acceptance rate and CSS fee waiver make Holy Cross very accessible. Worcester is about an hour from Boston.
8. Skidmore College#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Saratoga Springs, New York |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Students | ~2,700 |
| Ranking | Top 40 Liberal Arts |
| Acceptance Rate | ~29% |
| Financial Aid | 100% of demonstrated need |
"Creative Thought Matters" — Skidmore values creativity across all disciplines. Beautiful Saratoga Springs location, ~29% acceptance rate, and CSS fee waived. A solid, accessible option.
9. Denison University#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Granville, Ohio |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Students | ~2,300 |
| Ranking | Top 40 Liberal Arts |
| Acceptance Rate | ~25% |
| Financial Aid | 100% of demonstrated need |
Strong career preparation through the Knowlton Center. 30 minutes from Columbus. Denison doesn't use the CSS Profile at all — instead of a CSS fee to waive, you complete its own free Denison Certification of Finances (COF) form, so applying for aid costs nothing. Full funding for international students. More in my Denison school profile.
10. Reed College#
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Portland, Oregon |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Students | ~1,500 |
| Ranking | Top 50 Liberal Arts |
| Acceptance Rate | ~41% |
| Financial Aid | 100% of demonstrated need |
No traditional grades, year-long senior thesis, refuses to participate in rankings. Reed is for genuine intellectuals who value learning over prestige. The ~41% acceptance rate and CSS fee waiver make this one of the most accessible fully-funded options anywhere.
What's Next?#
Part 4 has the final 6 schools in this series.
Looking for more full-scholarship options? Explore these resources:
- 71 Schools with Full Scholarships for International Students in 2026
- 100% Scholarships for International Students in the USA
- MPOWER Financing: International Student Loans
Ready to apply? Read the full guide: How to Get a Full Scholarship for Your Bachelor's Degree in the USA.
Need more help?
Want me to walk you through your applications, step by step? That's what my mentorship program is for.
In Nigeria? Skool is blocked there — if you see “under maintenance,” open the link with a VPN set to the US or UK.