Common Financial Aid Questions

When determining your financial aid eligibility, we take into account multiple factors, including:

• Family income
• Family assets like savings, investments, businesses, and real estate
• Number of children in college or private school
• Household size and living expenses, based on the average cost of living in your zip code
• Special circumstances like loss of income, one-time income, or support to grandparents

We work with your family to understand your unique circumstances to determine what you can pay toward college costs. Then we cover the rest through need-based scholarships and work opportunities—money that doesn’t need to be paid back. To get started with the financial aid process, visit How to Apply for Financial Aid.

Yes. Early Decision applicants are eligible for the same need-based and merit scholarships as students who apply Regular Decision.

Our financial aid offers contain a combination of need-based scholarships and work opportunities to cover the difference between the total cost of attendance and your family’s contribution. We don’t include loans, but some families choose to borrow, in addition to seeking out private scholarships and taking advantage of our no-interest payment plans, as part of their strategy to cover college costs. Learn more about types of financial aid and consider which options are right for your family.

Yes. Student employment offers flexible hours, competitive wages, and the opportunity to get to know the Hopkins community better. Most students work 8-10 hours per week. Jobs range from lifeguarding to web design, and they’re located on the Homewood campus, other Hopkins campuses, or off campus.

Private scholarships reduce your summer savings and work-study expectations. If your private scholarships total more than these expectations, your need-based scholarship will be adjusted based on the leftover amount. See how private scholarships impact three example financial aid offers.

Even if you don’t think you’re eligible, we encourage you to apply. If we determine that you don’t qualify for need-based financial aid, there are still a variety of options to reduce your college costs, including:

• Monthly payment plans
• Part-time work opportunities
• Private scholarships
• Unsubsidized federal loans
• Parent PLUS loans

Yes. Need-based and merit scholarships are available for international applicants, although both types of assistance are limited. If you anticipate needing any financial assistance throughout your four years at Hopkins, you must apply for financial aid as a first-year applicant.

For more information, visit Tuition & Aid.

Yes, Hopkins offers a small number of merit scholarships to international citizens each year.  

There is no additional application students need to submit to become eligible for merit scholarships. Our admissions committee automatically considers all applications for merit scholarships. Please note merit scholarships are limited. If you are an international student and think you will need financial aid to attend, you must indicate this on your admissions application and submit the CSS Profile to be considered for need-based scholarships.

Need-based scholarships are based solely on a family’s ability to pay for college. For all international citizens, we promise to meet 100% of a family’s demonstrated need—the difference between the total cost of attendance each year and what a family can pay. We also promise to meet this need without any loans. 

Merit scholarships are based on student achievement both in and outside the classroom. All applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships when they apply to Hopkins, regardless of citizenship or their ability to pay. 

Hopkins is need-aware for international students, meaning that financial circumstances are considered in the admissions process. Hopkins meets 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students, including international students. About 10% of international students receive financial aid.

If you anticipate needing any financial assistance throughout your four years at Hopkins, you must apply for financial aid as a first-year applicant.

If you are an international student and think you will need financial aid, you must indicate this on the admissions application and submit the CSS Profile. See Application Deadlines & Requirements for a full list of important dates. If you cannot cover the cost of the CSS Profile as an international student, please reach out to your regional admissions counselor. We do not provide fee waivers for international applicants completing the CSS Profile.

All international citizens who apply to the university must submit the International Student Certification of Finances (COF) form that they access through their application portal. Without this document your application will be incomplete.

International students who do not apply for financial aid as a first-year applicant will not be able to apply for aid later.

Need-blind means a student’s ability to pay is not a factor the admissions committee considers. Hopkins is need-blind for domestic applicants, which includes U.S. citizens, permanent residents, students with DACA or undocumented status, and other eligible noncitizens. If a student holds U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status while living outside of the U.S., they will still be considered in a need-blind review process where their admissions decision will be considered independent of their financial circumstances. 

Hopkins is need-aware for international citizens (who do not hold U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status) that apply for financial aid. This means financial circumstances are considered in the admissions process. Hopkins still promises to meet 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students, including international students.  

No, international students cannot apply for financial aid after admissions decisions are released. If you are an international student and think you will need financial aid, you must indicate this on your admissions application and submit the CSS Profile by the required deadlines. International students who do not apply for financial aid as a first-year applicant will not be able to apply for aid later.

International students who do not apply for financial aid as a first-year applicant will not be able to apply for aid later. If a family anticipates potential changes in finances, the student should apply for financial aid as a first-year applicant to be considered for financial aid in the following years.

International students who apply for financial aid as a first-year applicant will be notified of their eligibility for both need-based and merit scholarships at the time of admission.

• If you receive financial aid in your first year, you will not need to reapply in future years. Your financial aid will renew automatically.
• International students who are not offered scholarship assistance for their first year at Hopkins will not be eligible for scholarship assistance for any other academic period while they are undergraduates.

No, international students cannot apply for need-based scholarships after they receive their admissions decision. If you are an international student and think you will need financial aid, you must indicate this on your admissions application and submit the CSS Profile by the required deadlines. International students who do not apply for financial aid as a first-year applicant will not be able to apply for aid later.

The Certification of Finances form (COF) is a document the admissions committee uses during the need-aware review process for international citizens. The form is less comprehensive than the CSS Profile and is intended to provide a snapshot of the family’s estimated family contribution. All international citizens must submit the COF through their applicant portal before the deadline of the admissions plan they are applying. 

The CSS Profile is a more comprehensive financial aid application that Student Financial Support uses. Financial aid advisers use information from the CSS Profile when determining a financial aid offer.  

International students applying for financial aid must submit the CSS Profile. All international students applying to the university, regardless of if they are applying for need-based financial aid, must submit the COF form.

Check our Application Deadlines and Requirements page to learn more about the deadlines to submit the CSS Profile. 

We do NOT provide CSS Fee Waivers for international applicants. If you are unable to complete the CSS Profile, we encourage you to complete our free alternative form, the Johns Hopkins University International Student Financial Aid Application (JHU ISFAA).

Please allow 5 to 7 days for us to process your application. You can check the status of your JHU ISFAA on your Financial Aid Checklist in your applicant portal.

After you submit the JHU ISFAA and it has been processed, the CSS Profile will show as ‘Waived,’ and no further action is required. We will contact you directly if we need the full CSS Profile or any additional supporting documents.

Once you have submitted the COF via your applicant portal and submitted the CSS Profile (or if you have instead submitted our free alternative form, the JHU ISFAA), your financial aid application is complete. 

We will reach out via email if there’s anything else we need to determine your financial aid offer. 

Your application will be counted as on-time, even if we request additional information after the deadline. 

If you made a mistake on your application or need to include additional information after you submit, you can update your application by clicking “Correct Your CSS Profile.” Students are only able to submit one correction per academic year. If you have already submitted a correction and find an additional error, you will need to reach out to Student Financial Support. More information can be found on the College Board website.

Any questions about the Certification of Finances form (COF) should be directed to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at intlhelp@jhu.edu. 

Inquiries about the CSS Profile and/or related financial aid documents (tax forms, income statements, etc.) should be directed to Student Financial Support. 

No, we do not need taxes or any financial documents for international students applying for financial aid. Not all students will need to submit financial documentation to complete their financial aid application.  

Once we receive your CSS Profile (or the alternative JHU ISFAA), we may find we need additional information, such as a tax return or other verification of your family’s income. If so, you’ll get an email from IDOC, the College Board’s document upload service, letting you know the next steps. 

We’ll use the information you provide in your financial aid application to figure out what you and your family can expect to contribute toward your college costs. 

We will reach out via email if there’s anything else we need to determine your financial aid offer. 

Not all students will submit documentation through IDOC. Students will receive access to IDOC if it has been determined that additional documentation is required. You will be notified by email when IDOC access has been provided. 

If you submitted your application without indicating an interest in financial aid and would like to apply for financial aid, contact our Office of Undergraduate Admissions at intlhelp@jhu.edu to request this change and activate your application for financial aid.  

Changes to your financial aid application status should be requested before the financial aid deadline. If you request a change after the financial aid deadline, our Office of Undergraduate Admissions will determine whether or not your application status for financial aid can be changed.  

Hopkins is need-aware for international applicants that apply for financial aid. This means financial circumstances are considered in the admissions process. Hopkins still promises to meet 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students, including international students. 

If you anticipate needing any financial assistance throughout your four years at Hopkins, you must apply for financial aid as a first-year applicant and submit the CSS Profile (or the alternative JHU ISFAA) and COF by the required deadlines.  

Any changes must be requested by the applicant. Parents/guardians may not request changes to the admissions/financial aid application.  

International students cannot apply for need-based scholarships after they receive their admissions decision. International students who do not apply for financial aid as a first-year applicant will not be able to apply for aid later. 

If you no longer want to apply for financial aid, contact our Office of Undergraduate Admissions at intlhelp@jhu.edu to request this change. 

Changes to your financial aid application status should be requested before the financial aid deadline. If you request a change after the financial aid deadline, our Office of Undergraduate Admissions will evaluate on a case-by-case basis whether or not your application status for financial aid can be changed. 

Hopkins is need-aware for international applicants that apply for financial aid. This means financial circumstances are considered in the admissions process. Hopkins still promises to meet 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students, including international students.  

If you anticipate needing any financial assistance throughout your four years at Hopkins, you must apply for financial aid as a first-year applicant and submit the CSS Profile (or the alternative JHU ISFAA) and COF by the required deadlines. 

Any changes must be requested by the applicant. Parents/guardians may not request changes to the admissions/financial aid application. 

Changes to your financial aid application status should be requested before the financial aid deadline. If you request a change after the financial aid deadline, our Office of Undergraduate Admissions will evaluate on a case-by-case basis whether or not your application status for financial aid can be changed. 

International students cannot apply for need-based scholarships after they receive their admissions decision. International students who do not apply for financial aid as a first-year applicant will not be able to apply for aid later. 

Applicants in all admissions plans receive the same consideration for financial aid. We promise to meet 100% of a family’s demonstrated need without loans for international citizens admitted in Early Decision I, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision. International citizens are also eligible for merit scholarships in all admissions plans.  

To learn more about the benefits of Early Decision, visit our Early Decision page.

If you are unable to complete the CSS Profile, we encourage you to complete our free alternative form, the Johns Hopkins University International Student Financial Aid Application. 

Please allow 5 to 7 days for us to process your application. You can check the status of your International Student Financial Aid Application on your Financial Aid Checklist in your applicant portal. 

Please note the CSS Profile will show as ‘Waived,’ and no further action is required. Student Financial Support will contact you directly if we need the full CSS Profile or any additional supporting documents.

Yes. You and your custodial parent (the parent you live with the most) will complete a CSS Profile together. Your noncustodial parent will also need to fill out their own CSS Profile. 

We realize that issues of college support may be complicated in divorced and separated families, and we evaluate each situation individually. If you believe special circumstances exist in your family, please review the CSS Profile Waiver Request for the Noncustodial Parent or contact Student Financial Support if you have additional questions. 

Currently, we do not offer financial aid to international transfer students.

Need-based scholarships are available for domestic transfer students only. Hopkins defines domestic students as U.S. citizens, permanent residents, eligible noncitizens, and those with DACA or undocumented status.

If you’re an international transfer student and need help paying for college, you can seek out private loans and outside scholarships to cover your college costs. Most lenders require a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen. Visit Financial Aid for more information.

Hopkins does not include loans in our financial aid offers. If you choose to borrow from a lender as part of your financing plan, visit loans options for more information.

If you received financial aid in your first year, you would not need to reapply in future years. Your financial aid will renew automatically based on the financial aid information provided at the time of application to the university.  

International students who are not offered scholarship assistance for their first year at Hopkins will not be eligible for scholarship assistance for any other academic period while they are undergraduates.

Students with an F-1 visa are eligible for on-campus employment but are limited to working a maximum of 20 hours per week during the school year. They may work full-time (40 hours per week) during the summer. On-campus employment may also include jobs with employers that are educationally affiliated with Hopkins, such as research work at a Hopkins affiliate.

For more information, visit IOS’ On-Campus Employment.

International students who are not offered scholarship assistance for their first year at Hopkins will not be eligible for scholarship assistance for any other academic period while they are undergraduates. 

If you (student) receive U.S. Permanent Residency after being admitted to Hopkins, then you will be considered an eligible noncitizen. Please take the following steps AFTER you have received your U.S. Permanent Resident Green Card to initiate a financial aid application with Hopkins:

• Update your citizenship status in SIS AND your U.S. Social Security Number in SIS.
  • Log in to SIS Self-Service. Click the “Personal Info” tab, then “Summary,” then “Identity Management Form.”  
• Submit documentation of your U.S. Permanent Residency with a Form I-551 or I-151 (Permanent Resident Card, Resident Alien Card, or Alien Registration Receipt Card), also known as a “green card” to JHU Student Financial Services via SIS. 
  • Log in to SIS Self-Service. Click the “Financial Aid” tab, then “Online Forms,” then “FA – Document Upload Form.”  

• Submit a federal FAFSA financial aid application to JHU at Code E00473. 
  • If FAFSA confirms your citizenship status with DHS, then at that point, you may be considered eligible to apply for Hopkins financial aid. 
• Please reach out to our Undergraduate International Student Financial Aid Adviser with any questions. 

If any of the below Visa statuses apply to you, and you do not have DACA or undocumented status, you are considered an international applicant at Hopkins.  If you anticipate needing any financial assistance throughout your four years at Hopkins, you must apply for financial aid as a first-year applicant. 

As per Federal Student Aid, you are neither a citizen nor an eligible noncitizen if you have 

• been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA); 

• an F-1, F-2, or M-1 student visa; 

• a J-1 or J-2 exchange visitor visa; 

• a G series visa (pertaining to international organizations); 

• A2 and A3 visas (foreign official, including attendants); 

• a NATO visa (NATO); 

• a B-1 or B-2 visitor visa; 

• an H series or L series Visa (which allow temporary employment in the U.S.); or 

• U-Visas (victims of criminal activity). 

If you’re neither a citizen nor an eligible noncitizen, you aren’t eligible for federal student aid. 

And here is an additional explanation from the US Department of Education Federal Student Aid about ineligible statuses and documents 

There are several types of immigration documentation that do not substantiate a student’s eligibility for Title IV [US federal government] financial aid.  

• A Social Security card or driver’s license isn’t acceptable for documenting U.S. citizenship or national status since ineligible individuals can also have these forms of identification. Enhanced driver’s licenses (provided by a limited number of states to permit non-air travel entry to the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean) are also not acceptable. 

• Notice of Approval to Apply for Permanent Residence (Form I-171 or Form I-464) holders cannot receive Title IV funds. 

• Employment authorization documents (Form I-766, EAD) alone do not support Title IV eligibility. However, a student with another eligible status and employment authorization can, potentially, be eligible. USCIS can verify an immigration status or category that may be eligible for aid using the information contained on an EAD. 

•  An Advance Parole Document allows certain noncitizens with pending applications for certain immigration benefits to seek parole into the U.S. after traveling abroad. The issuance of the Advance Parole Document does not alone make them eligible for Title IV funds. 

If you made a mistake on your application or need to include additional information after you submit, you can update your application by clicking “Correct Your CSS Profile.” Students are only able to submit one correction per academic year. If you have already submitted a correction and find an additional error, you will need to reach out to Student Financial Support. More information can be found on the College Board website.

Yes. Once it’s been processed, you can make changes to correct or update the information on your FAFSA form. You should make a correction in the following situations:

• You made a mistake in what you reported on your form.
• Your form is in “Action Required” status, and you need to make a required correction such as adding a missing signature or providing consent and approval.
• You want to add or remove schools from your form.

More information can be found on the Federal Student Aid website.

To continue receiving federal financial aid, you must meet the criteria outlined in the policy for Satisfactory Academic Progress. There isn’t a GPA requirement to continue receiving institutional need-based scholarships. If unique circumstances have impacted your academic performance, you can appeal a loss of eligibility through a special process. The minimum GPA for merit scholarships can vary, so be sure to review the individual scholarship pages.

If you withdraw, are dismissed, or begin a leave of absence before completing more than 60% of the semester, we’ll recalculate your eligibility for federal financial aid according to the Return of Title IV Funds Policy, and charge for tuition, room, and board according to the Refund Policy in the undergraduate catalog. We’ll also adjust your Hopkins need-based scholarship at the same rate as any tuition refund you receive. For example, if you receive an 80% tuition refund, your Hopkins need-based scholarship will also be reduced by 80%.

You must be enrolled full-time (or at least 12 credits each semester) to receive financial aid unless you have an approved exception through Student Disability Services or Student Financial Support. Changing your enrollment status may result in the adjustment or cancellation of your financial aid, depending on timing and your plan for the semester.

Yes, you may request a Technology Grant to receive one-time financial assistance of up to $2,000 to purchase a computer during your time at Hopkins. To get started, submit a Budget Adjustment Request.

All full-time students must maintain adequate health coverage. If you don’t show proof of comparable health insurance, we’ll automatically enroll you in the university-sponsored plan and charge the premium to your student account. Based on your financial aid status, we offer limited funding to cover the insurance premium. If eligible, you’ll receive the funding in October.

We recognize that unexpected events—such as loss of income, death, major illness, and disability—can affect your ability to cover costs. We’ll work with you to navigate changes to your financial circumstances to the best of our abilities. Please reach out to Student Financial Support so we can assist you. You may also learn more about our appeals process by visiting Request a Consideration.

Please Note: International students who do not apply for financial aid as a first-year applicant will not be able to apply for aid later. If your family anticipates potential changes in finances, you should apply for financial aid as a first-year applicant to be considered for financial aid in the following years.

Private scholarships benefit students by reducing the summer savings and work-study expectations. Since private scholarships are additional resources that reduce your financial need, your Hopkins Scholarship will be reduced dollar for dollar if they exceed your total summer savings and work-study expectations. See how private scholarships impact three example financial aid offers.

Employer tuition benefits, state-scholarships, Federal Pell Grants, and ROTC are considered entitlement grants, and these offers will reduce Hopkins Scholarships. For example, a student who receives a state scholarship of $500 will have their Hopkins Scholarships reduced by $500. The total amount of financial aid will remain the same.

Also known as the Summer Savings Expectation, this is how much Hopkins expects you to contribute toward your academic expenses from working during the summer before each academic year. The first-year student contribution is $1,800. For following years, the student contribution is $2,600 each year.