Notre Dame, Indiana — USA
University of Notre Dame
Completely need-blind for ALL international applicants — freshmen and transfers — with 100% of demonstrated need met through all-grant packages. Asking for a full ride will not hurt your admission chances.
Last updated July 2026. Always confirm details on the school's official page before applying.
The University of Notre Dame offers full funding — up to the total cost of attendance — to international students through both need-based financial aid and highly selective merit scholarships. Here's what makes Notre Dame genuinely different from almost every other elite university: they are completely need-blind for all international applicants, including transfer students. Your application is evaluated entirely on its merits, and requesting a full ride will not hurt your chances of being accepted. If admitted, Notre Dame guarantees to meet 100% of your demonstrated financial need with all-grant packages that never need to be repaid.
At a glance
- SAT Required
- No — Notre Dame is test-optional for freshman applicants. You are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores.
- English Proficiency Required
- Yes, if English isn't your native language or your high school wasn't taught primarily in English — TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo accepted. Waived with SAT Reading 650+ or ACT English 26+.
- Apply With CSS Profile
- Yes — international freshmen and transfers must submit the CSS Profile (school code 1841) by the priority deadline.
- CSS Fee Waiver
- No — this is Notre Dame's one downside.
- CSS Waiver Type
- Notre Dame provides no CSS fee waivers and does not accept the ISFAA. All international aid applicants must pay the standard College Board CSS Profile fee.
- Acceptance Rate (Freshman)
- 9%
- Application Fee (Freshman)
- $75 — qualified international students can waive it via the institutional or income-based fee waiver option inside the Common App or Coalition App.
- Transfer Students
- Yes — one of the only premier U.S. universities that is need-blind AND fully funds international transfers based on need. (No merit scholarships for transfers.)
- Acceptance Rate (Transfer)
- 16–25% depending on the cycle
- Application Fee (Transfer)
- $75
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.
Notre Dame Need-Based Financial Aid (100% demonstrated need)
Need-based · Bachelor's
What it covers
- Up to the total cost of attendance, based on your demonstrated need
- All-grant packages — nothing to repay
Who qualifies
All admitted students, including international freshmen and transfer students. Notre Dame is completely need-blind for international applicants — your aid request is never seen by the admissions committee and cannot hurt your chances.
Key deadlines
How to apply
- 1Apply through the Common Application or Coalition Application ($75 fee — qualified international students can select the institutional or income-based fee waiver inside the application).
- 2Complete the Notre Dame Writing Supplement essays.
- 3Submit your official high school transcripts and one counselor letter of recommendation.
- 4Submit official English proficiency scores (TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo) if required.
- 5Submit the CSS Profile (school code 1841) by the priority deadline. Note: Notre Dame gives no CSS fee waivers and doesn't accept the ISFAA, so budget for the College Board processing fee.
Good to know
- Notre Dame also awards highly selective merit scholarships to freshmen — a separate route on top of need-based aid. Transfer students are not eligible for merit awards; transfer funding is need-based only.
- Transfer applicants need the Common App Transfer Application, official transcripts from every university attended, final high school transcripts showing your graduation date, a Transfer College Report, two academic recommendations (preferably from professors), English proficiency scores, and the CSS Profile by the transfer priority deadline.
- Budget for the CSS Profile fee — Notre Dame is one of the few generous schools with no waiver and no free alternative form.
Frequently asked questions
Does Notre Dame give full scholarships to international students?
Yes. The University of Notre Dame offers full funding up to the total cost of attendance through need-based aid and highly selective merit scholarships. If admitted, Notre Dame meets 100% of your demonstrated financial need with all-grant packages that don't need to be repaid.
Is Notre Dame need-blind for international students?
Yes — completely, for both freshman and transfer applicants. Unlike many elite universities, Notre Dame evaluates your application entirely on its merits, and requesting a full ride will not hurt your chances of being accepted.
Does Notre Dame require the SAT for international students?
No. Notre Dame is test-optional for freshman applicants, so you are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores.
Does Notre Dame require an English proficiency exam for international students?
Yes, if your native language is not English or your high school education wasn't conducted primarily in English. Notre Dame accepts TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores. The requirement is waived if you score at least 650 on the SAT Reading section or 26 on the ACT English section.
Is there a CSS Profile fee waiver for international students at Notre Dame?
No. Notre Dame does not provide CSS Profile fee waivers and does not accept the alternative ISFAA form. All international applicants seeking aid must pay the standard College Board CSS Profile processing fee. Submit it with school code 1841.
What is Notre Dame's acceptance rate?
9% for freshman applicants. Transfer admission is significantly less competitive, fluctuating between 16% and 25% depending on the enrollment cycle.
Does Notre Dame accept international transfer students with full funding?
Yes — Notre Dame is one of the only premier U.S. universities that is need-blind for international transfer students and offers them full need-based funding. Transfers aren't eligible for merit scholarships, so all transfer funding comes from demonstrated financial need via the CSS Profile.
What is required to apply to Notre Dame as an international freshman?
The Common Application or Coalition Application, the Notre Dame Writing Supplement essays, official high school transcripts, one counselor letter of recommendation, official English proficiency scores (TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo) if required, and the CSS Profile by the priority deadline. The $75 application fee can be waived inside the Common App or Coalition App.
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