International Students

Students in adirondack chairs on Parrish Beach

The financial aid process is different for U.S. students and international students.

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Who is considered a domestic student?

Swarthmore considers you a domestic student if at least one of the following is true:

  • You are a U.S. citizen, U.S. dual citizen, or a U.S. Permanent Resident in possession of a valid Green Card*
  • You are eligible to complete and submit a valid FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
  • You are undocumented or in the Asylee/Refugee status application process, and you reside in the U.S., and are a graduate from a U.S. high school.

* Individuals currently applying for permanent residency but who do not possess a Green Card at the time of application are not considered domestic students.

If you don’t fall in any of the above categories, you are considered an international student.

What to Know Before You Apply 

  • You can only apply for financial aid if you indicate your intent to apply on your admission application.
  • If you do not ask for aid when you apply for admission, you cannot request it later (even if your family’s situation changes or your citizenship status changes).
  • All admitted international students who applied for aid will receive a CSS Profile fee waiver.
  • Swarthmore's aid packages consist of grants, which do not need to be repaid. Be careful of outside organizations that claim to work with Swarthmore. If something looks suspicious, email finaid@swarthmore.edu and do not share personal information.
  • For international students in the Class of 2030 and later, Swarthmore will offer a four-year aid decision. This means the money you pay Swarthmore (also known as the parent contribution) will be the same amount each year for the students’ entire attendance, even if the cost of tuition changes.

    The parent contribution will be reevaluated under the following circumstances:
    • Siblings entering or leaving college will decrease or increase the parent contribution.
      • Sibling information will be gathered in the initial financial aid application and will be maintained on the students’ file once enrolled.
      • The Financial Aid Office will contact students in advance if these changes occur.
    • Swarthmore will adjust for severely adverse national financial conditions, such as currency depreciation comparative to the US Dollar
      • The College receives official country conversion rates yearly, and we will manage this process.
      • The Financial Aid Office will contact students in advance if these changes occur.
  • Current international students from the Class of 2026 through the Class of 2029 will be given the option to reapply for financial aid each year until graduation, or to lock in their current parent contribution.
    • If these current international students choose to reapply for financial aid, they will follow the same application process as in previous years.
    • If you are one of these students, you will be contacted directly by our Financial Aid Office about this process. 

For questions or concerns email finaid@swarthmore.edu. 

Steps for Applying 

  1. Admission application: On your admission application, check the box that indicates you will apply for financial aid.
  2. Wait for the admission decision: If you are admitted, you will then complete your financial aid application.
  3. Upload your financial aid documentation: You must upload all required documents within 7 days of your admission decision.
  4. CSS Profile: Complete the CSS Profile online (using Swarthmore’s school code 2821). Your free fee waiver code will appear in your applicant portal after admission.
  5. Upload other required forms: Upload all other documents (including the ISAFA form) to your applicant portal financial aid checklist. Do not use the College Board’s IDOC service, and do not email documents. They will not be accepted.
  6. Check your decision: Swarthmore will share your financial aid decision within 7 days of receiving your completed application.

Required Documents for International Students

You will need to provide:

  • CSS Profile (with fee waiver code provided after admission).
  • Parents’ official income documents from the correct calendar year, in the currency where the income is earned.
    • If your parents earn money in more than one country, you must provide documents from all countries and sources.
    • If official documents are not available, submit a signed employer letter on company letterhead with verified income details.
  • International Student Application for Financial Aid (ISAFA) [PDF] (required for newly admitted students, not for returning students).
  • Any business or employer income statements, if your parents own a business or cannot provide official tax documents. These must include the employer’s name, signature, and email address.

All information must be genuine, official, and match the CSS Profile. Submitting false documents will disqualify you from financial aid consideration for your entire enrollment.

Deadlines for International Students

For newly admitted international students:

  • Submit all financial aid materials within 7 days of your admission offer.
  • Swarthmore will send your aid decision within 7 days of receiving your completed application. 

For currently enrolled international students:

  • Deadline: December 1 → Decision by late May
  • Deadline: March 1 → Decision by late June 

Submitting Your Documents 

  • Upload documents only through your applicant portal (or MySwarthmore if you are a current student)
  • Do not email financial aid documents — they will not be accepted.
  • File names must use only letters and numbers (no special symbols or spaces). If you have upload problems, rename the file or contact finaid@swarthmore.edu.

CSS Profile Fee Waivers

  • All admitted first-year international students who requested financial aid on their admission application will automatically get a CSS Profile fee waiver.
  • The code will appear in your financial aid checklist after you are admitted.
  • Fee waivers are only given once for first-time, first-year applicants.

Need More Help? 

For more details, see Common Financial Aid Topics for International Students or email finaid@swarthmore.edu with questions.