New York, New York — USA
New York University
The NYU Promise meets 100% of demonstrated need for admitted first-years — families under $100,000 pay zero tuition. Need-aware for international freshmen, and zero aid for international transfers.
Last updated July 2026. Always confirm details on the school's official page before applying.
New York University gives full need-based scholarships — covering up to 100% of demonstrated financial need — to international freshman applicants through the NYU Promise. Under this policy, NYU commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated need with institutional scholarships for all admitted first-year students, and families making under $100,000 with typical assets pay zero tuition. Two things to know before applying: admissions is need-aware for international freshmen, so requesting a full ride makes an already competitive process (~8% acceptance) significantly tougher. And the NYU Promise is a first-year-only deal — international transfer students are completely ineligible for institutional aid, so if you need funding at NYU, apply as a freshman.
At a glance
- SAT Required
- No — NYU is fully test-optional for freshman applicants. Submit scores only if you believe they strengthen your application.
- English Proficiency Required
- Yes, if your native language is not English — TOEFL iBT 100, IELTS Academic 7.5, or Duolingo 135 minimums. Typically waived only if English has been your primary language of instruction for the past three consecutive years.
- Apply With CSS Profile
- Yes — international freshmen must submit the CSS Profile by the financial aid deadline to be considered for need-based institutional scholarships.
- CSS Fee Waiver
- Yes, but highly limited.
- CSS Waiver Type
- No ISFAA or paper alternatives. International applicants facing severe hardship can request an institutional CSS fee payment code by email or phone via the NYU applicant portal — codes are limited, and requests must go in at least one week before the financial aid deadline.
- Acceptance Rate (Freshman)
- ~8%
- Application Fee (Freshman)
- $80 — international students meeting financial hardship criteria can request a waiver inside the Common App.
- Transfer Students
- Accepted, but with zero institutional aid or scholarships for international transfers. Admitted transfers must certify they can fully self-fund 100% of tuition and living expenses.
- Acceptance Rate (Transfer)
- 20–25% — far less selective than freshman entry, for self-funders
- Application Fee (Transfer)
- $80
What “full scholarship” means here
This school guarantees it will meet 100% of your demonstrated financial need. In simple English: if you get accepted and you've applied for financial aid and you don't have any money to attend, they can give you a full scholarship to cover your cost of attendance. Both conditions matter — and the CSS Profile is how you prove your need.
NYU Promise (100% demonstrated need)
Need-based · Bachelor's
What it covers
- Up to 100% of your demonstrated financial need, through institutional scholarships
- Zero tuition for families making under $100,000 per year (with typical assets)
Who qualifies
All admitted first-year students who apply for financial aid, including international students. Admissions is need-aware for international freshmen — requesting a full ride makes admission significantly more competitive, so your application must be exceptional. Not available to transfer students.
Key deadlines
How to apply
- 1Apply through the Common Application with the NYU supplemental essay ($80 fee — request a hardship waiver inside the Common App if you qualify).
- 2Submit your official high school transcripts.
- 3Provide one counselor letter of recommendation and one teacher letter of recommendation.
- 4Submit English proficiency scores if required (TOEFL iBT 100, IELTS Academic 7.5, or Duolingo 135).
- 5Complete the CSS Profile by the financial aid deadline. If the fee is a severe hardship, request one of NYU's limited institutional fee payment codes by email or phone through your applicant portal — at least one week before the deadline.
Good to know
- The $100,000 zero-tuition threshold is the headline of the NYU Promise — if your family makes less than that with typical assets, tuition is covered.
- The CSS fee code trick: NYU's institutional payment codes are limited and first-come — request yours by email or phone through the applicant portal at least a week before the financial aid deadline.
- Transfer entry (20–25% acceptance) is far easier than freshman entry — but only useful if you can fully self-fund. Transfer applicants need the Common App for Transfer, all college transcripts, a final high school transcript with graduation date, a College/Registrar's Report, one academic recommendation (preferably from a professor), English scores, and mandatory financial certification documents.
Frequently asked questions
Does NYU give full scholarships to international students?
Yes — for freshmen. Through the NYU Promise, NYU meets 100% of demonstrated financial need with institutional scholarships for all admitted first-year students, including internationals. Families making under $100,000 with typical assets pay zero tuition. Admissions is need-aware for international freshmen, though, and international transfer students get no aid at all.
What is the NYU Promise?
The NYU Promise is NYU's commitment to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need with institutional scholarships for all admitted first-year students. Under this policy, families making under $100,000 per year with typical assets pay zero tuition.
Does NYU require the SAT for international students?
No. NYU is fully test-optional for freshman applicants — you aren't required to submit SAT or ACT scores, though you can if you believe they strengthen your application.
Does NYU require an English proficiency exam for international students?
Yes, if your native language is not English. NYU accepts the TOEFL iBT (minimum 100), IELTS Academic (minimum 7.5), or Duolingo English Test (minimum 135). The requirement is typically waived only if your primary language of instruction has been English for the past three consecutive years.
Is there a CSS Profile fee waiver for international students at NYU?
Yes, but it's highly limited. NYU doesn't accept the ISFAA or other paper forms, but international applicants facing severe financial hardship can request an institutional CSS Profile fee payment code by email or phone through their NYU applicant portal. Codes are limited, and requests must be submitted at least one week before the financial aid deadline.
What is NYU's acceptance rate?
Approximately 8% overall for freshman admissions. Transfer admission fluctuates between 20% and 25% — significantly less selective, but international transfers must fully self-fund.
Does NYU accept international transfer students with full funding?
No. NYU offers zero financial aid or scholarships to international transfer students — they're completely ineligible for institutional aid. Admitted international transfers must submit a mandatory certification of finances proving they can fully self-fund 100% of tuition and living expenses.
What is required to apply to NYU as an international freshman?
The Common Application with the NYU supplemental essay, official high school transcripts, one counselor recommendation, one teacher recommendation, English proficiency scores if applicable, and the CSS Profile by the financial aid deadline if applying for aid. The $80 application fee can be waived for financial hardship inside the Common App.
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