Brown University

Yes. Brown meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for every admitted undergraduate, including international students, and there are no merit scholarships — all aid is need-based. For low-income international students that means a genuine full ride, covering tuition, fees, housing, dining, books, and some personal expenses.

For first-year applicants, yes — Brown is completely need-blind for all international freshmen, so requesting a full ride does not hurt your chances of being admitted as a freshman. Transfers are different: transfer admission is need-aware for international applicants, so while admitted international transfers do get 100% of their demonstrated need met, requesting a full ride makes an already brutally competitive transfer pool even tougher.

For first-year applicants, yes — and this is unusual. Unlike most schools in this directory, Brown is NOT test-optional for freshmen: it strictly requires the SAT or ACT from all first-year applicants (the writing/essay sections are optional). Transfer applicants, by contrast, are test-optional.

No. An English proficiency test is highly recommended but not required — Brown doesn't mandate one if your English capabilities come through in your curriculum and essays. If you do choose to submit a score, aim for TOEFL iBT 105, Duolingo 130, or IELTS 8.0.

Only through the College Board's own automatic waiver — Brown issues no waiver codes of its own and offers no ISFAA or paper alternative. The College Board applies a built-in automatic electronic fee waiver at payment for eligible students. The one exception: residents of Iran or North Korea should email financial_aid@brown.edu for a workaround. The CSS Profile school code is 3189, with documents submitted through IDOC.

Roughly 5.0–5.4% for freshman admissions. Transfer admission runs about 4.5–6.0%, and lower still if you're requesting significant financial aid, since transfer admission is need-aware for internationals.

Yes, but with an important catch. Brown meets 100% of demonstrated need for admitted international transfers — but unlike freshman admission, transfer admission is need-aware for internationals, so requesting a full ride makes an already brutal pool (~4.5–6.0% acceptance) even harder. Transfers are test-optional. Transfer applicants submit the Common App for Transfer plus Brown's transfer supplement, all post-secondary transcripts, final high school transcripts, a College Report from a registrar or dean, at least one academic recommendation from a university professor, optional test/English scores, and the CSS Profile with parental income tax verification through IDOC. The $75 application fee applies.

The Common Application with Brown's supplemental essays, official high school transcripts (with certified English translations if needed), a School Report and counselor recommendation, two academic teacher recommendations, official SAT or ACT scores (required), optional English proficiency scores, and — for aid — the CSS Profile (school code 3189) with your parents' income documents through IDOC. Request financial aid when you apply, not later. The $75 application fee has an automatic financial-hardship waiver in the Common App.