Yale University

Yes. Yale meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted international students under a strict no-loan policy — every aid package is built from grants, never loans to repay. For low-income international students, that can cover 100% of tuition, housing, food, and even travel. All aid is need-based; Yale offers no merit scholarships.

Yes — completely, for both freshman and transfer applicants. Yale evaluates your application entirely on its merits, and requesting a full scholarship will not hurt your chances of being admitted. Once you're admitted and apply for aid, Yale meets 100% of your demonstrated need with no student loans.

Yes. Yale's updated testing policy strictly requires the SAT or ACT from all first-year and transfer applicants — it is not test-optional. AP, IB, and national or international leaving exams no longer fulfill this requirement, so every applicant must submit official SAT or ACT scores.

Yes, if English is not your native language. Yale accepts the TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, Duolingo English Test, or Cambridge English. The requirement is automatically waived if you've spent two or more years at a school where English is the primary language of instruction.

Yes. Submit the CSS Profile (Yale school code 3987), then complete Yale's custom CSS Profile Fee Waiver Request Form in your Yale Applicant Portal. If approved, Yale grants a fee waiver code or an alternate submission path. Supporting documents are submitted through IDOC. The $80 application fee can be waived separately through the Common App or Coalition Application.

Roughly 3.7% to 4.6% for freshman applicants. Transfer admission is far more competitive at around 1.5% to 2.0% — Yale receives about 1,500 transfer applications each year and admits only 20 to 30 students total.

Yes. Yale is need-blind for international transfer applicants and meets 100% of demonstrated need with no student loans, just as it does for freshmen. Admission is extremely competitive, though — roughly 1,500 applications for only 20 to 30 spots. Transfers submit the Common App for Transfer plus Yale's transfer supplement, all post-secondary transcripts, final high school transcripts, a College Report, two academic recommendations from college instructors, official SAT or ACT scores, English proficiency scores, and the CSS Profile with parent income documentation.

The Common Application or Coalition Application with Yale's supplemental essays, official high school transcripts (with certified English translations), the School Report and a counselor recommendation, two academic teacher recommendations, official SAT or ACT scores, English proficiency scores if applicable, and the CSS Profile plus parent income tax documents via IDOC. The $80 application fee can be waived for hardship inside the application.