Worcester, Massachusetts — USA
College of the Holy Cross
Jesuit liberal arts college that meets 100% of demonstrated need for admitted international students — scaling to a full ride (tuition, fees, room, and board) for low-income families. But admissions is need-aware, so requesting a full scholarship makes an already competitive process tougher.
Last updated July 2026. Always confirm details on the school's official page before applying.
College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts is a Jesuit liberal arts college — and you don't need to be Catholic to attend or to receive aid. Holy Cross meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted international students, and for low-income families that commitment scales all the way to a full ride covering tuition, fees, room, and board. The catch to understand: admissions is need-aware for international applicants, meaning the committee considers how much aid you're requesting when deciding whether to admit you — so asking for a full scholarship makes an already competitive process (roughly 17–18% acceptance) more demanding, and your application needs to be strong. International transfers can also be funded to 100% of need, but that aid comes from a tightly restricted budget and is exceptionally competitive.
At a glance
- SAT Required
- No — Holy Cross has a long-standing, permanent test-optional policy. International applicants are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores.
- English Proficiency Required
- Yes, for non-native English speakers — TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or the Duolingo English Test. Waived if your last three or more consecutive years of secondary education were taught entirely in English.
- Apply With CSS Profile
- Yes — the CSS Profile is required to apply for need-based aid (Holy Cross code 3282), along with the International Student Certification of Finances form and a supporting bank letter / financial affidavit.
- CSS Fee Waiver
- Yes, on request (not automatic).
- CSS Waiver Type
- Request a CSS fee waiver directly from the Holy Cross Financial Aid office if the fee is a barrier — it's reviewed once you've submitted all your other admission credentials. There is no free ISFAA alternative to bypass the CSS Profile entirely.
- Acceptance Rate (Freshman)
- ~17–18%
- Application Fee (Freshman)
- $60 — Holy Cross honors many fee waivers, including the Common App counselor-initiated waiver.
- Transfer Students
- Accepted with funding — Holy Cross meets 100% of demonstrated need for admitted international transfers from its primary aid budget, but that aid is tightly restricted and exceptionally competitive.
- Acceptance Rate (Transfer)
- ~46.5% — statistically higher than freshman, but from a very small pool (typically under 100 admitted).
- Application Fee (Transfer)
- $60 — hardship fee waivers available through the Common App for Transfer.
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.
Holy Cross Need-Based Financial Aid (100% demonstrated need)
Need-based · Bachelor's
What it covers
- Up to 100% of your demonstrated financial need, based on your family's income and assets
- For low-income families, a full ride — tuition, fees, room, and board
Who qualifies
Admitted international first-year and transfer students who apply for financial aid. All aid is need-based. Note that admissions is need-aware for international applicants: the committee sees how much aid you're requesting, so requesting a full scholarship makes admission more competitive. Transfer aid also meets 100% of need but comes from a tightly restricted budget and is exceptionally competitive.
Key deadlines
How to apply
- 1Apply through the Common Application or Coalition Application ($60 fee — Holy Cross honors many fee waivers, including the Common App counselor-initiated waiver).
- 2Submit your official high school transcripts, with certified English translations if needed.
- 3Submit the School Report plus a counselor recommendation, and two academic teacher recommendations.
- 4Include English proficiency scores (TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or Duolingo) if required — waived if your last three or more consecutive years of secondary school were taught entirely in English.
- 5Complete the CSS Profile (Holy Cross code 3282) if you're requesting aid. If the CSS fee is a barrier, request a fee waiver directly from the Holy Cross Financial Aid office once your other admission credentials are in.
- 6Submit the International Student Certification of Finances form plus a supporting bank letter / financial affidavit.
Good to know
- Holy Cross is a Jesuit liberal arts college, but you do not need to be Catholic to attend or to qualify for financial aid.
- Admission is need-aware for international students — the amount of aid you request factors into the decision, so a full-scholarship request makes an already competitive process (roughly 17–18% acceptance) tougher.
- There is no free ISFAA alternative here: the CSS Profile is required, though you can ask the Financial Aid office for a fee waiver if the CSS cost is a barrier. You'll also need the International Student Certification of Finances form and a supporting bank letter.
- Transfers: Holy Cross funds admitted international transfers to 100% of demonstrated need, but from a tightly restricted budget. Transfer acceptance (~46.5%) is statistically higher than freshman, but the pool is tiny — typically under 100 admitted. Prepare the Common App for Transfer, all post-secondary transcripts, a final high school transcript with graduation date, a College Report (dean/registrar), at least one academic recommendation (ideally a university professor), English scores, the CSS Profile, and the International Student Certification of Finances.
Frequently asked questions
Does College of the Holy Cross give full scholarships to international students?
Yes. Holy Cross meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted international students, and for low-income families that scales to a full ride covering tuition, fees, room, and board. All aid is need-based. Because admissions is need-aware, though, requesting a full scholarship makes an already competitive process more demanding.
Is College of the Holy Cross need-blind for international students?
No — Holy Cross is need-aware for international applicants. The admissions committee considers how much financial aid you're requesting when deciding whether to admit you, so asking for a full scholarship makes admission more competitive. Once you're admitted, however, Holy Cross meets 100% of your demonstrated need.
Does College of the Holy Cross require the SAT for international students?
No. Holy Cross has a long-standing, permanent test-optional policy, so international applicants are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores. Your application receives the same review with or without them.
Does College of the Holy Cross require an English proficiency exam for international students?
Yes, if English is not your native language. Holy Cross accepts the TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or the Duolingo English Test. The requirement is waived only if your last three or more consecutive years of secondary education were taught entirely in English.
Is there a CSS Profile fee waiver for international students at Holy Cross?
Yes, on request — it isn't automatic. If the CSS Profile fee is a barrier, ask the Holy Cross Financial Aid office directly for a fee waiver; they review the request once you've submitted your other admission credentials. There is no free ISFAA alternative to skip the CSS Profile — the CSS Profile (code 3282), the International Student Certification of Finances form, and a supporting bank letter are all required for aid.
What is College of the Holy Cross's acceptance rate?
Roughly 17–18% for freshman applicants. Transfer acceptance is statistically higher at about 46.5%, but from a very small pool — typically under 100 students admitted as transfers.
Does College of the Holy Cross accept international transfer students with full funding?
Yes — Holy Cross meets 100% of demonstrated need for admitted international transfers, funded from its primary aid budget. In practice that aid is tightly restricted and exceptionally competitive. Transfer acceptance runs around 46.5%, but the pool is very small (typically under 100 admitted). The $60 transfer fee has hardship waivers via the Common App for Transfer.
What is required to apply to College of the Holy Cross as an international freshman?
The Common Application or Coalition Application; official high school transcripts (with certified English translations); the School Report and a counselor recommendation; two academic teacher recommendations; English proficiency scores if applicable; and, if requesting aid, the CSS Profile (code 3282) plus the International Student Certification of Finances form. The $60 application fee can be waived through several waivers, including the Common App counselor-initiated waiver.
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