For students around the world dreaming of studying at Yale University, the good news is that Yale’s financial-aid policies make access far more than just a dream. At Yale, the focus is on need-based aid rather than merit scholarships alone. The guidance below gives you a breakdown of who can apply, what you need, deadlines, what’s offered, and a direct link to the official site.
Who can apply
- Undergraduate applicants (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students) are eligible for full need-based financial support at Yale.
- Graduate/professional (masters/PhD) students: it varies by school/faculty many programmes at Yale offer fellowships or aid based on need or merit.
- High-school level/pre-university: e.g., the Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) summer programme offers need-based scholarships for high school students.
Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Admission to Yale | You must be admitted to Yale (undergraduate or graduate programme) before the full-aid policy kicks in. |
| Demonstrated financial need | For undergraduate students, Yale assesses family income, assets, size, and other factors. |
| Financial-aid application forms | For undergrads: CSS Profile (and FAFSA for U.S. citizens) by the deadlines. |
| For graduate/professional students | Check the specific school (e.g., Yale School of the Environment: need-based aid deadline Feb 1 for incoming students). |
| Submit on time | Missing deadlines can affect your aid package. |
Note: Yale does not offer “merit-only” scholarships for undergraduates aid is awarded solely based on need.
Deadline
| Category | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate application (Early Action) | November 1 for Single-Choice Early Action. |
| Undergraduate application (Regular Decision) | January 2 for Regular Decision. |
| Financial-aid application forms | For best consideration: CSS Profile & FAFSA by November 1 (Early) / February 15 (Regular) for incoming undergraduates. |
| Graduate/professional programmes | Varies by school — e.g., YSE: Feb 1 for incoming students. |
What it offers
- For undergraduates: Yale commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students (U.S. & international) — not based on merit.
- Families earning under a certain threshold (for example <$75,000) may pay little to nothing for tuition, housing and meals.
- No merit scholarships for undergraduates the aid is structured as grants (not loans) for eligible students.
- For graduate/professional level: many programmes provide fellowships or scholarships, but conditions vary by school, department, and student’s country of origin.
- Additional good things: access to Yale’s resources, global network, top-tier faculty and facilities.
visit https://dares2dream.com/
for more information