Scholarship Opportunities Abound: Study in the USA in 2025-2026

Key Information for Your Outreach

When contacting these offices, keep the following 2026 updates in mind:

• Harvard & MIT: For immigration and visa-specific questions (I-20/DS-2019) after you are admitted, you should contact the International Students Office (ISO) or Harvard International Office (HIO) directly.

• NYU: They have specific admissions staff for their New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai campuses. Make sure to specify which campus you are applying to in the subject line of your email.

• Stanford: The Regular Decision deadline is January 5, 2026. If you are emailing today (January 4), expect a delay in response due to the high volume of last-minute inquiries.

Essential Document Checklist

When you reach out, have your applicant ID (if you’ve started an application) ready. Most offices will ask for:

1. Full name as it appears on your passport.

2. Date of Birth.

3. The specific program/major you are interested in.

Professional email template you can use to inquire about scholarship eligibility

When reaching out to admissions offices, it is important to be polite, concise, and specific. Since it is January 4, 2026, many offices are currently handling a high volume of deadline-related emails, so a clear subject line is essential.

Here are two templates: one for general inquiries and one specifically for students who have already submitted their application.

Option 1: The General Inquiry Template

Best for schools where you are still researching or haven’t hit “submit” yet.

Subject: International Scholarship Inquiry – Fall 2026 – [Your Full Name]

Dear International Admissions Team,

I am a prospective international student from [Your Country] currently preparing my application for the [Name of Major/Program] for the Fall 2026 intake.

I am writing to inquire about specific scholarship opportunities available for non-U.S. citizens. While I have reviewed your website, I would appreciate more information regarding:

• Whether international students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships upon application.

• If there are additional financial aid forms required (such as the CSS Profile or an institutional form) for international applicants.

• Any specialized scholarships for students in the [Name of Department, e.g., Engineering] field.

Thank you for your time and for assisting international students like myself in navigating this process.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name] [Your Phone Number]

Option 2: The Post-Application Follow-Up

Best for schools where you have already applied (like Stanford or NYU) and want to confirm your financial aid status.

Subject: Scholarship Eligibility Follow-Up – App ID: [Your Application ID] – [Your Name]

Dear Admissions Office,

I have recently submitted my application for the Fall 2026 semester at [University Name]. As an international applicant, I am very interested in being considered for any available institutional scholarships or financial aid packages.

Could you please confirm if my application is currently complete regarding financial aid documentation? If there are supplemental essays or regional scholarships (such as those for students from [Your Region]) that require a separate application, please let me know.

I look forward to the possibility of joining your academic community.

Best regards,

[Your Full Name] [Your Application ID] [Your Email Address]

Pro-Tips for Sending These Emails:

• Check the “Financial Aid for International Students” page first: Universities often ignore emails that ask questions already answered on their FAQ.

• Time it right: Send your email on Monday morning (U.S. time). Since today is Sunday, January 4, sending it now means it will be at the top of their inbox when they open the office tomorrow morning.

• Mention “Need-Blind” if applicable: If you are emailing a school like Harvard or Yale, mention that you are aware of their need-blind policy but are looking for guidance on the CSS Profile submission.

2026-2027 CSS Profile School Codes

Yes, this is a vital step. Using the correct school code ensures your financial information reaches the right desk at the right time. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the CSS Profile opened on October 1, 2025.

2026-2027 CSS Profile School Codes

Important Notes for 2026 International Applicants

1. Application Round: When filling out the CSS Profile, select “Regular Decision” as your admission type if you are applying now (January 2026).

2. Parental Information: For schools like Yale and Stanford, if your parents are divorced or separated, both parents will likely need to submit separate CSS Profiles. Check if your school requires the “Noncustodial Parent Profile.”

3. The IDOC Service: After you submit your CSS Profile, you will likely receive an email from the College Board’s IDOC (Institutional Documentation Service). This is where you upload your parents’ 2024 tax returns or income statements.

4. Fee Waivers: Unlike domestic students, international students usually cannot get an automatic fee waiver through the College Board website. However, Stanford and Harvard allow high-need international students to submit an “International Student Application for Financial Assistance” (ISAFA) if the CSS fee is a significant barrier.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Wrong Code: Using the FAFSA code instead of the CSS code. (FAFSA is only for U.S. citizens/eligible non-citizens).

• Currency Errors: Ensure you report all income in your home currency as requested, or convert it precisely to USD only if the form explicitly asks for it.

• Missing the “Priority” Date: While the final deadline might be later, missing the Priority Filing Date (Feb 15) can sometimes reduce the amount of institutional grant money available to you.