International Students are a valued part of our community, and each year a large number receive financial aid to attend Clark - a reflection of the University's recognized diversity and strong global commitment. Competition for this assistance is intense, and the awards are based on both academic merit and financial need.
Some applicants each year show excellent academic records but do not have sufficient financial ability to attend Clark. It is not unusual for the Admissions and Financial Aid Committee to deny an application on financial grounds. The admissions process is need-aware, as Clark does not offer financial assistance to cover the full cost of annual attendance.
Personal expenses such as room and board are the responsibility of the student. Total expenses for the 2007-08 academic year are estimated at nearly $43,000. Our maximum award is full-tuition, and we expect all applicants to be prepared to pay at least $10,000 for each year of study.
The average award this year was approximately $21,000, which means that most students will need to finance about $22,000 per year. International students are prohibited from working outside the University by the United States Government, and thus rely on off-campus work to offset expenses. The availability of on-campus employment is limited and, per government regulations, restricted to part-time only, therefore it should not be considered a significant source of personal income.
Financial need is determined by information provided on the College Board's International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) or Clark University's own Financial Aid Application. All those seeking aid must complete an aid application.
You should also submit supporting documents in the form of employer and/or bank statements. Since only partial financial awards are available, international applicants need to finance their remaining costs through sources other than Clark University.
The Global Scholars Program (GSP) builds on Clark's acclaimed commitment to providing a challenging education with a global view. Those students selected for the program will receive, as part of their award, a scholarship of no less than $12,000 per year.
A student must provide proof of financial support in order to receive a visa for study in the United States. If you are a U.S. citizen or have a green card, then you do not require a visa and are thus not considered an international student.
Students are classified in this manner to satisfy requirements filing for financial aid from the U.S. government. Only students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible to file the FAFSA and PROFILE. All others must file Clark's (or the College Board's) International Student Aid Application.
Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions by e-mail at intadmissions@clarku.edu or by phone at (508) 793-7431 if you have any further questions on any aid-related matter.