Waterville, Maine — USA
Colby College
Meets up to 100% of demonstrated need for international freshmen AND transfers through the Colby Commitment — all-grant, loan-free, with a $0 family contribution for families earning under $75,000. But admission is need-aware, so requesting a full ride makes it more competitive.
Last updated July 2026. Always confirm details on the school's official page before applying.
Colby College in Waterville, Maine offers full need-based financial aid — up to 100% of demonstrated need — to international students, and extends that same commitment to international transfer students. Through the Colby Commitment, every aid package is made entirely of grants with zero loans, so there is nothing to pay back. Families with a total income under $75,000 (and typical assets) have a $0 calculated family contribution. There are no academic merit or athletic scholarships — all funding is need-based. The important catch: Colby is need-aware for international applicants, so requesting a full ride makes an already very selective process significantly more competitive. If you can strengthen every other part of your application, do it.
At a glance
- SAT Required
- No — Colby is permanently test-optional. SAT/ACT scores are not required, though a strong score can help in a need-aware pool.
- English Proficiency Required
- Yes, unless waived — required if your native language isn't English or your secondary school's primary language of instruction wasn't English. Accepts TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, or Duolingo. If English is your native language or was your school's language of instruction, no test is needed.
- Apply With CSS Profile
- Yes — the CSS Profile is required for need-based aid (international school code 3280). There is no open ISFAA option for initial applications.
- CSS Fee Waiver
- Yes — CSS fee waiver codes are available to international applicants for whom the fee is a burden.
- CSS Waiver Type
- Request the CSS fee waiver code after submitting your admission application. Colby also requires the ISCOF (International Student Certification of Finances) form. No open ISFAA is accepted for initial applications.
- Acceptance Rate (Freshman)
- ~6.6–7% overall — lower for international applicants requesting near-total funding.
- Application Fee (Freshman)
- $0 — there is no application fee for undergraduate freshman admission.
- Transfer Students
- Yes — Colby extends the 100% met-need, loan-free policy to international transfers. Check the intent-to-apply-for-aid box on the transfer application. Full-ride transfer admission is incredibly competitive due to restricted transfer budgets.
- Acceptance Rate (Transfer)
- ~5–8% — extremely competitive due to limited transfer slots and budgets.
- Application Fee (Transfer)
- $0 — no application fee for transfer admission.
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.
The Colby Commitment (100% demonstrated need, loan-free)
Need-based · Bachelor's
What it covers
- Up to 100% of your demonstrated financial need
- All-grant packages with zero loans — nothing to pay back
- A $0 calculated family contribution for families with total income under $75,000 (with typical assets)
Who qualifies
Admitted international freshman and transfer students who apply for financial aid. All aid is need-based — Colby offers no academic merit or athletic scholarships. Note that admission is need-aware for international applicants: the more aid you request, the more competitive your application must be.
Key deadlines
How to apply
- 1Apply through the Common Application or Coalition Application — there is no application fee.
- 2Submit your official high school transcripts, the School Report, and your counselor recommendation.
- 3Provide two teacher letters of recommendation.
- 4Submit English proficiency scores (TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, or Duolingo) if required.
- 5Complete the CSS Profile (international school code 3280). If the CSS fee is a burden, request a fee waiver code after submitting your admission application.
- 6Submit the ISCOF (International Student Certification of Finances) form.
Good to know
- The Colby Commitment means every aid package is all-grant and loan-free — there is nothing to repay, and there are no academic merit or athletic scholarships to hunt for separately.
- Families with total income under $75,000 and typical assets have a $0 calculated family contribution — surface this if your family is below that threshold.
- English proficiency is required unless waived: you need a test if your native language isn't English or your secondary school's primary language of instruction wasn't English. Colby accepts TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, or Duolingo.
- There is no open ISFAA for initial applications — Colby uses the CSS Profile (school code 3280) plus the ISCOF form. CSS fee waiver codes are available; request one after you submit your admission application.
- Transfer applicants: check the intent-to-apply-for-aid box on the transfer application. Transfers need the Common App for Transfer, all college transcripts, a final high school transcript with graduation date, a Transfer College Report, two academic recommendations (preferably from college professors), English scores if applicable, and the CSS Profile and ISCOF forms.
Frequently asked questions
Does Colby College give full scholarships to international students?
Yes. Through the Colby Commitment, Colby meets up to 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted international students with all-grant, loan-free packages — nothing to pay back. Families with total income under $75,000 (with typical assets) have a $0 calculated family contribution. There are no academic merit or athletic scholarships; all aid is need-based.
Is Colby College need-blind for international students?
No — Colby is need-aware for international applicants. The admissions committee considers how much financial aid you're requesting, so asking for a full ride makes an already very selective process significantly more competitive. Once admitted, Colby meets up to 100% of your demonstrated need with loan-free grants.
Does Colby College require the SAT for international students?
No. Colby is permanently test-optional — SAT and ACT scores are not required. A strong score can still help validate your academics in a need-aware pool, but it is entirely optional.
Does Colby College require an English proficiency exam for international students?
Yes, unless you qualify for a waiver. You need an English proficiency test if your native language isn't English or your secondary school's primary language of instruction wasn't English. Colby accepts the TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, or Duolingo English Test. If English is your native language or was your school's language of instruction, no test is required.
Is there a CSS Profile fee waiver for international students at Colby?
Yes. Colby requires the CSS Profile for need-based aid (international school code 3280), and CSS fee waiver codes are available to international applicants for whom the fee is a burden. Request the code after submitting your admission application. Colby also requires the ISCOF (International Student Certification of Finances) form, and there is no open ISFAA for initial applications.
What is Colby College's acceptance rate?
Roughly 6.6–7% overall for freshman applicants, and even lower for international students requesting near-total funding. Transfer admission runs about 5–8% and is extremely competitive because of limited transfer slots and budgets.
Does Colby College accept international transfer students with full funding?
Yes — Colby extends its 100% met-need, loan-free policy to international transfer students. Check the intent-to-apply-for-aid box on the transfer application. Full-ride transfer admission is incredibly competitive (roughly 5–8% acceptance) because of restricted transfer budgets. There is no transfer application fee.
What is required to apply to Colby College as an international freshman?
The Common Application or Coalition Application (no application fee), official high school transcripts, the School Report and counselor recommendation, two teacher letters of recommendation, English proficiency scores if applicable, the CSS Profile (via a portal fee waiver code if needed), and the ISCOF (International Student Certification of Finances) form.
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