Saratoga Springs, New York — USA
Skidmore College
Meets 100% of demonstrated need for every admitted student — including internationals, up to the full cost of attendance for low-income families. But the international aid budget is very limited and admission is need-aware, so requesting full funding makes an already competitive process exceptionally hard.
Last updated July 2026. Always confirm details on the school's official page before applying.
Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, international applicants included — and for low-income students that support can reach the full cost of attendance. The catch is the size of the pot: Skidmore's international financial aid budget is very limited, and admission for internationals is need-aware. The committee sees how much aid you're requesting, so applying for full funding makes an already competitive process (freshman acceptance is roughly 24%, and lower still for near-full-aid internationals) exceptionally hard. There are no merit or athletic scholarships to chase here — every dollar of aid is calculated from your family's demonstrated need. Skidmore is completely test-optional, and it offers a genuinely free way to apply for aid: its own Skidmore ISFAA, available inside the Applicant Portal, so you never have to pay for the CSS Profile.
At a glance
- SAT Required
- No — Skidmore is completely test-optional. International applicants are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores, and choosing not to submit them does not disadvantage your application.
- English Proficiency Required
- Yes, required for non-native English speakers — minimum TOEFL iBT 96–97, IELTS 7.0 or 7.5, or Duolingo 120. Waived if you have spent 3+ consecutive years at a school where English is the sole language of instruction.
- Apply With CSS Profile
- Optional — the CSS Profile (code 2815) is accepted, but you can use the free Skidmore ISFAA instead. All internationals must also submit the International Student Certification of Finances (COF) form plus bank documentation.
- CSS Fee Waiver
- Not needed — there's a free alternative to the CSS Profile.
- CSS Waiver Type
- The Skidmore ISFAA (International Student Financial Aid Application) is free inside the Skidmore Applicant Portal once you've submitted your application. Using it instead of the paid CSS Profile does not disadvantage your aid review.
- Acceptance Rate (Freshman)
- ~24% — and lower for internationals requesting near-full financial aid.
- Application Fee (Freshman)
- $65 — a hardship fee waiver is available through the Common App or Coalition App.
- Transfer Students
- Funded — international transfers draw from the same pool that meets 100% of demonstrated need. But the international aid budget is very limited and high-need international transfer admission is very difficult. The overall transfer acceptance rate is high (~39.4%), yet only about 20–29 transfers enroll each year, so space is tiny.
- Acceptance Rate (Transfer)
- ~39.4% overall — but with tiny space (only ~20–29 transfers enroll per year), so a high rate hides very few seats.
- Application Fee (Transfer)
- $65
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.
Skidmore Need-Based Financial Aid (100% demonstrated need)
Need-based · Bachelor's
What it covers
- 100% of your demonstrated financial need
- Up to the full cost of attendance for low-income students
- Need-based grants — there are no merit or athletic scholarships
Who qualifies
All admitted students who apply for financial aid, including international freshmen and transfers. Skidmore's international aid budget is very limited and admission for internationals is need-aware — the more aid you request, the more competitive your application must be. Aid is calculated solely from your family's demonstrated need.
Key deadlines
How to apply
- 1Apply through the Common Application or Coalition Application — there is no institutional writing supplement ($65 fee, with a hardship waiver available inside the application).
- 2Submit your official high school transcripts, with certified English translations if needed.
- 3Provide the School Report and a counselor recommendation, plus at least one recommendation from an academic teacher.
- 4Submit English proficiency scores if applicable (TOEFL iBT 96–97, IELTS 7.0/7.5, or Duolingo 120), unless you qualify for the 3-years-in-English waiver.
- 5Complete the free Skidmore ISFAA inside the Applicant Portal after submitting your application — or the CSS Profile (code 2815) if you prefer — and submit the International Student Certification of Finances (COF) form with bank documentation.
Good to know
- Skidmore is completely test-optional — but because international admission is need-aware with a very limited aid budget, the rest of your application has to be exceptional if you're requesting full funding.
- English proficiency is required for non-native speakers (TOEFL iBT 96–97, IELTS 7.0 or 7.5, or Duolingo 120) and is only waived if you've spent 3+ consecutive years at a school where English is the sole language of instruction.
- You never have to pay to apply for aid: the free Skidmore ISFAA inside the Applicant Portal is a full substitute for the paid CSS Profile, and using it doesn't disadvantage your aid review. Every international applicant also submits the Certification of Finances (COF) form plus bank documentation.
- Transfers are funded from the same pool that meets 100% of demonstrated need. The overall transfer acceptance rate looks high (~39.4%), but only about 20–29 transfers enroll each year and high-need international transfer admission is very difficult — a high rate hiding tiny space. Transfer applicants need the Common App for Transfer, all post-secondary transcripts, final high school transcripts, a College Report, one academic recommendation from a university instructor, English proficiency scores, and the free Skidmore ISFAA (or CSS Profile) plus the Certification of Finances.
Frequently asked questions
Does Skidmore College give full scholarships to international students?
Yes. Skidmore meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, including internationals, and for low-income students that support can reach the full cost of attendance. All aid is need-based — there are no merit or athletic scholarships. The important caveat is that Skidmore's international aid budget is very limited and admission is need-aware, so requesting full funding makes admission exceptionally competitive.
Is Skidmore need-blind for international students?
No — Skidmore is need-aware for international applicants. The admissions committee sees how much aid you're requesting when deciding whether to admit you, and because the international aid budget is very limited, requesting full funding makes an already competitive process (freshman acceptance around 24%) considerably harder. Once you're admitted, though, Skidmore meets 100% of your demonstrated need.
Does Skidmore require the SAT for international students?
No. Skidmore is completely test-optional, so international applicants are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores, and choosing not to submit them does not disadvantage your application.
Does Skidmore require an English proficiency exam for international students?
Yes, for non-native English speakers. Skidmore's minimums are TOEFL iBT 96–97, IELTS 7.0 or 7.5, or Duolingo English Test 120. The requirement is waived only if you have spent three or more consecutive years at a school where English is the sole language of instruction.
Is there a CSS Profile fee waiver for international students at Skidmore?
You don't need one, because Skidmore offers a free alternative. The CSS Profile (code 2815) is optional; instead you can complete the free Skidmore ISFAA (International Student Financial Aid Application) inside the Skidmore Applicant Portal after submitting your application, and using it doesn't disadvantage your aid review. Every international applicant also submits the Certification of Finances (COF) form with bank documentation.
What is Skidmore College's acceptance rate?
Freshman acceptance is roughly 24%, and lower for internationals requesting near-full financial aid. The overall transfer acceptance rate is much higher at about 39.4% — but only around 20 to 29 transfers actually enroll each year, so the seats are very few.
Does Skidmore accept international transfer students with full funding?
Yes — international transfers draw from the same pool that meets 100% of demonstrated need. But the international aid budget is very limited and high-need international transfer admission is very difficult. The overall transfer acceptance rate (~39.4%) is high, yet only about 20–29 transfers enroll per year, so a strong-looking rate conceals tiny space.
What is required to apply to Skidmore as an international freshman?
The Common Application or Coalition Application (no institutional writing supplement), official high school transcripts with certified English translations, the School Report and a counselor recommendation, at least one academic teacher recommendation, English proficiency scores if applicable, and — for aid — the free Skidmore ISFAA (or CSS Profile, code 2815) plus the International Student Certification of Finances form with bank documentation. The $65 application fee can be waived for hardship through the Common App or Coalition App.
Browse More Schools
Keep Reading
Not sure which schools to apply to?
Want me to help you build your school list and walk you through your applications, step by step? That's what my mentorship program is for.
In Nigeria? Skool is blocked there — if you see “under maintenance,” open the link with a VPN set to the US or UK.