Fordham University Scholarships for International Students in the USA 2026
Fordham University scholarships for international students provide opportunities for talented students to reduce the cost of studying at one of New York City’s leading private universities. Fordham offers merit-based scholarships as well as limited need-based financial aid to qualifying international students.
International applicants can be considered for several scholarships when applying for an undergraduate degree. Some awards cover a significant portion of tuition, while the most competitive awards can cover the full tuition cost. Fordham also offers financial support and assistantships for some international graduate students.
Because funding for international students is limited, applicants should understand the requirements and apply as early as possible.
Fordham Presidential Scholarship
The Fordham Presidential Scholarship is one of the university’s most prestigious awards for incoming undergraduate students.
It is generally awarded to students who rank among the top 1% to 2% of their high school class and demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and strong personal characteristics.
The scholarship can cover the full cost of tuition each year for up to four years. It can also cover the average cost of a double room or the student’s actual room charge, whichever is lower, if the student lives on campus. Meal plans and certain fees are not included.
Recipients must maintain full-time enrollment, satisfactory academic progress and a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA to renew the award.
Fordham Scholarship
Another major opportunity is the Fordham Scholarship, a full-tuition award for outstanding first-year students.
The scholarship is awarded to students with excellent academic records in challenging curricula and exceptional personal qualities. Fordham says approximately 3% of admitted students receive this scholarship.
The award can cover full tuition for up to eight fall and spring semesters, or four years, provided the recipient continues to meet the renewal requirements. Students must maintain full-time status, satisfactory academic progress and a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Dean’s Scholarship
The Dean’s Scholarship is another important merit-based opportunity for international students.
It is available to entering first-year and transfer students who demonstrate strong academic performance and exceptional qualities such as leadership, commitment or community service.
Fordham states that recipients typically have a 3.75 or higher GPA in a rigorous academic programme. The scholarship is worth $25,000 per year and is renewable for up to four years for eligible undergraduate students.
Approximately 10% of admitted students receive this award, making it more widely available than some of Fordham’s most competitive full-tuition scholarships.
Faber Award
International students who demonstrate financial need may also be considered for the Faber Award.
The award is specifically available to new first-year students who will study at Fordham on a non-immigrant visa and apply through the university’s need-based admission process.
Annual awards can range from a few thousand dollars to the cost of a student’s first-year full tuition. However, Fordham emphasizes that need-based aid for international students does not cover the complete annual cost of attendance.
This means students should have additional funds available for accommodation, food, transportation, insurance and other expenses.
Merit Scholarships for International Students
One of the advantages for international applicants is that all complete applications for admission are automatically considered for merit scholarships.
No separate scholarship application is required for these awards.
Fordham states that merit scholarships for highly qualified first-year international applicants can range from $10,000 to $25,000 per year. Scholarship notifications are included in the student’s online admission letter.
This makes a strong academic application particularly important for international students.
Fordham is also test-optional, meaning applicants do not have to submit SAT or ACT scores to be considered for scholarships. Students may nevertheless choose to submit test scores if they believe the results strengthen their application.
Theatre Scholarships
Students interested in theatre can explore additional funding opportunities.
The Fordham Theatre Scholarship is available to entering first-year students who intend to major in theatre. Awards can range from $7,000 to full tuition, depending on the student’s academic performance, talent and financial need.
Fordham also offers an Excellence in Theatre Scholarship for its top theatre admits. This award can cover full tuition and certain on-campus housing costs, subject to the scholarship’s terms and renewal requirements.
Who Can Apply for Fordham Scholarships?
International students generally need to apply as first-year students for the fall semester and plan to study in the United States on a non-immigrant visa.
For need-based financial aid, students must indicate that they are seeking financial assistance on the Common Application and submit the CSS Profile by the appropriate deadline. Fordham’s school code for the CSS Profile is 2259.
International transfer students are not eligible for Fordham’s need-based financial aid, although they can be considered for merit scholarships of up to $25,000 where they meet the requirements.
How to Apply for Fordham Scholarships
The process depends on the type of funding.
For merit scholarships, international applicants do not need to submit a separate scholarship application. They are automatically considered when they submit a complete admission application.
Students seeking need-based aid should:
- Choose an eligible Fordham undergraduate programme.
- Complete the Common Application.
- Indicate that they are applying for financial aid.
- Submit the CSS Profile.
- Provide any required supporting financial documents.
- Meet the deadline for their chosen admission plan.
- Review their scholarship and financial aid decision after admission.
For the 2027-28 academic year, Fordham lists November 1 for Early Action and Early Decision I, January 3 for Early Decision II, and January 3 for Regular Decision admission. International applicants seeking need-based aid have a CSS Profile deadline of November 1 for Early Action/Early Decision I, January 3 for Early Decision II and January 15 for Regular Decision.
Final Thoughts
Fordham University scholarships for international students can provide substantial financial support for talented students seeking an undergraduate education in New York.
The university offers several competitive awards, including the Presidential Scholarship, Fordham Scholarship, Dean’s Scholarship and Faber Award. Merit scholarships can range from $10,000 to $25,000 per year, while the most competitive awards can cover full tuition and, in some cases, on-campus housing.
However, international students should understand that Fordham’s need-based financial aid is limited and admission is need-aware for international applicants. Students should therefore prepare a realistic financial plan that includes costs not covered by their scholarship.
For the latest scholarship amounts, eligibility requirements and deadlines, prospective students should check Fordham University’s official financial aid and international student scholarship pages before applying.
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