Waltham, Massachusetts — USA
Brandeis University
Meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students — including international freshmen and transfers — with the Wien International Scholarship covering full need plus one round-trip plane ticket a year. Test-optional, and $0 to apply.
Last updated July 2026. Always confirm details on the school's official page before applying.
Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, and that commitment explicitly extends to international freshman and transfer applicants. The headline award is the Wien International Scholarship Program, which covers 100% of an international student's demonstrated financial need and, uniquely, includes one round-trip plane ticket home each year. All aid here is need-based, calculated from your family's finances through the CSS Profile. Brandeis is test-optional for international freshmen, and it costs nothing to apply — the application fee is waived for any student for whom it poses a financial barrier. The one cost you can't dodge is the CSS Profile fee itself: Brandeis gives no CSS fee waivers and accepts no alternative form to bypass it.
At a glance
- SAT Required
- No — test-optional for international freshmen
- English Proficiency Required
- Required for non-native English speakers — TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE Academic. Automatically waived if you attended a high school for 4+ years where English is the primary language of instruction, or you apply directly from a United World College (UWC).
- Apply With CSS Profile
- Yes — CSS Profile (code 3092) for aid, or International Certification of Finances if self-funding
- CSS Fee Waiver
- No
- CSS Waiver Type
- No institutional CSS fee waivers and no ISFAA/alternative form — you must pay the College Board fee
- Acceptance Rate (Freshman)
- ~45%
- Application Fee (Freshman)
- $0 — waived via the Common App/Coalition App fee-waiver prompt when it's a financial barrier
- Transfer Students
- Yes — 100% of demonstrated need met for international transfers too
- Acceptance Rate (Transfer)
- ~49.3%
- Application Fee (Transfer)
- $0
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.
Wien International Scholarship Program
Need-based · Bachelor's
What it covers
- 100% of an international student's demonstrated financial need
- One round-trip plane ticket home each year
Who qualifies
Admitted international students who apply for financial aid. Brandeis meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, including international freshmen and transfers. All aid is need-based and calculated through the CSS Profile.
Key deadlines
How to apply
- 1Apply through the Common Application or Coalition Application — the application fee is $0, waived via the fee-waiver prompt for any student for whom it poses a financial barrier (no documentation needed).
- 2Submit your high school transcripts, with certified English translations.
- 3Provide the School Report and counselor recommendation, plus one academic teacher letter.
- 4Submit English proficiency scores (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE Academic) unless you're waived — automatic if you attended a high school for 4+ years where English is the primary language of instruction, or you apply directly from a UWC.
- 5Complete the CSS Profile (code 3092) if applying for aid, or submit the International Certification of Finances if you're self-funding. Note: Brandeis offers no CSS fee waivers and accepts no alternative form to bypass the College Board fee — you must pay it.
Good to know
- The Wien International Scholarship Program is the standout perk: on top of covering 100% of demonstrated need, it includes one round-trip plane ticket home each year.
- There is no way around the CSS Profile fee — Brandeis gives no institutional CSS fee waivers and won't accept the ISFAA or any alternative form in its place. If you're applying for aid, budget for the College Board fee.
- English proficiency scores are required unless you're waived. The waiver is automatic if you spent 4+ years at a high school where English is the primary language of instruction, or you apply directly from a United World College.
- International transfers are funded the same way: Brandeis meets 100% of demonstrated need for admitted international transfer students, with a transfer acceptance rate around 49.3%. Transfer applicants use the Common App for Transfer and submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, a final official high school transcript, a College Instructor Recommendation and College Report (from a Dean or Registrar), English proficiency scores (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo), and the CSS Profile plus international income verification documents.
Frequently asked questions
Does Brandeis University give full scholarships to international students?
Yes. Brandeis meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, including international freshmen and transfers. The Wien International Scholarship Program covers 100% of an international student's demonstrated need and adds one round-trip plane ticket home each year. All aid is need-based — you must be admitted and apply for financial aid through the CSS Profile.
What is the Wien International Scholarship at Brandeis?
The Wien International Scholarship Program is Brandeis's award for international students. It covers 100% of an admitted international student's demonstrated financial need and, unusually, includes one round-trip plane ticket home each year.
Does Brandeis require the SAT for international students?
No. Brandeis is test-optional for international freshmen — you are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores.
Does Brandeis require an English proficiency exam for international students?
Yes, if English is not your native language — Brandeis accepts the TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE Academic. The requirement is automatically waived if you attended a high school for four or more years where English is the primary language of instruction, or if you apply directly from a United World College (UWC).
Is there a CSS Profile fee waiver for international students at Brandeis?
No. Brandeis offers no institutional CSS Profile fee waivers and does not accept the ISFAA or any alternative form to bypass the fee. If you're applying for aid, you must pay the College Board CSS Profile fee. Brandeis's CSS code is 3092.
What is Brandeis University's acceptance rate?
Around 45% for freshman applicants. Transfer admission is roughly 49.3%.
Does Brandeis accept international transfer students with full funding?
Yes. Brandeis meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, including international transfers, at a transfer acceptance rate around 49.3%. Transfer applicants submit the Common App for Transfer, official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, a final official high school transcript, a College Instructor Recommendation and College Report (from a Dean or Registrar), English proficiency scores, and the CSS Profile plus international income verification documents. The application fee is $0 under the same financial-barrier waiver.
How much does it cost to apply to Brandeis as an international student?
$0. Brandeis waives the application fee for any student for whom it poses a financial barrier — just select the fee-waiver prompt in the Common App or Coalition App (no documentation needed). This applies to both freshman and transfer applicants.
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