Yale University seems like a dream, but I'm concerned about the costs. Does Yale offer any full scholarships for international students? What kind of qualifications or achievements do they look for?
Yale University is one of the institutions in the U.S. that follows a need-blind admissions policy for all applicants, regardless of citizenship. This means that your ability to pay for your education will not be a factor in the decision process.
Yale is also committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. This means that if you are an international student accepted to Yale and demonstrate financial need, the school will offer you a financial aid package that meets your full financial need. This package includes scholarships, employment opportunities, and potentially some loans.
Qualifications would follow the same requirements for all students. The most compelling candidates are academically strong, with an outstanding high school record and any available standardized test scores such as the SAT/ACT. Participation in extracurricular activities and leadership roles in those activities are also seen favorably, as is evidence of character and personal qualities through essays and letters of recommendation.
Having a highly-developed specialty or "spike", demonstrating that you're exceptional in one particular area, is highly valued. For example, if you're a theater enthusiast, you might have directed a play, acted in several productions, and volunteered at a local theater.
To sum up, while Yale does not offer full "scholarships" per se, it does have a robust financial aid program that could potentially cover all demonstrated need if you are admitted, and this applies to both domestic and international students. It is based on a holistic review of each individual’s financial circumstances. An international student's aid package is typically comprised mostly of Yale Scholarship funds, which are gift aid and do not have to be repaid.
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