International Students & Financial Aid
International Students are a valued part of our community, and each year a large number receive financial aid to attend Clark - a reflection of the University's recognition of the importance of diversity and strong global commitment. Competition for this assistance is intense, and the awards are based on both academic merit and financial need.
International Financial Aid Application
Financial need is determined by information provided on Clark University's International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA). All those seeking awards must complete the ISFAA.
You should also submit supporting documents in the form of employer and/or bank statements. Since only partial financial awards are available, international applicants need to finance their remaining costs through sources other than Clark University.
Eligibility
A student must provide proof of financial support in order to receive a visa for study in the United States. If you are a U.S. citizen or you have a green card then you do not need a US Visa and therefore are not an international student.
Students are classified in this manner to satisfy requirements of filing for financial aid from the U.S. government. Only students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible to file the FAFSA and PROFILE. All others must file Clark's (or the College Board's) International Student Aid Application.
Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions by e-mail at intadmissions@clarku.edu or by phone at (508) 793-7431 if you have any further questions on any aid-related matter.
How Clark Awards Aid
Several applicants each year show excellent academic records but do not demonstrate the necessary financial ability to attend Clark. It is not unusual for the Admissions and Financial Aid Committee to deny an application on financial grounds. The admissions process is need-aware and Clark does not offer financial assistance to cover the full cost of annual attendance.
Personal expenses such as room and board will, in most cases, be the responsibility of the student. Total expenses for the 2009-2010 academic year are estimated at slightly over $46,000.
The average award this year was slightly over $20,000, which means that most students will pay $25,000-$30,000 per year for their education. International students are prohibited from working outside the University by the United States government, and thus cannot rely on that sort of income to offset expenses. On-campus employment is limited and part-time per government regulations, and therefore not a significant source of personal income.