Brown University is Need-Blind for International Students: You Must Apply for Financial Aid with Your Application; No Scholarships Are Offered

Brown University Admissions states: Starting with the Class of 2029 (Fall 2025 enrollment), the university will adopt a need-blind admissions policy for international undergraduate applicants, which also applies to current applications. This means that whether a student requires financial aid will not be considered during the admissions process.

Specific Impacts and Advice for Chinese Students and Parents

• Apply for financial aid at the time of admission: International students can apply for financial aid at Brown. The university will meet the full demonstrated financial need of admitted students, provided that the financial aid application is submitted concurrently with the admissions application; it cannot be applied for later.
• No merit scholarships: Brown University does not offer merit awards (scholarships based on academic or special talents). All financial aid is need-based.
• Financial aid does not cover summer expenses: Financial aid typically covers tuition, fees, and room and board directly, and can also be used for travel, books, and personal expenses, but it explicitly excludes expenses for breaks and the summer.
• Plan your funding sources in advance: U.S. immigration regulations restrict international students from working off-campus during the summer, so overseas applicants must clearly know where their funding will come from (e.g., family resources, government sponsorship, or savings). The university recommends consulting local education authorities and seeking external funding, and you can also contact EducationUSA (a university admissions advising network supported by the U.S. Department of State).

Source: https://admission.brown.edu/international/financial-aid. Policies are subject to the latest official updates.