What is Brown's Financial Aid Policy for International Students?

• All international students are eligible for aid, and Brown meets 100% of your demonstrated need.

• Brown is not currently need blind for international students, but will be starting with the class of 2029 (students applying for the fall 2025 term).

• International students must apply for and receive aid upon applying to Brown, or you cannot be granted aid in later years (excluding extenuating circumstances).

Applying For Aid Using CSS

• Brown uses only the electronic CSS Profile for most international students (not the FAFSA, ISFAA, or paper CSS form.)

  • The same deadlines apply: November 1, 2022 for Early Decision or February 1, 2023 for Regular Decision.

  • The same CSS code is used: 3189.

  • You do not need a Social Security Number to fill out the CSS.

  • Use the same general process for filling out the CSS Profile as for US students, but keep in mind the following specifications.

• The CSS Profile opens on October 1st every year, and it is especially important for international students to complete it earlier rather than later due to potential difficulties in obtaining or translating documents.

• CSS requires the following information from international students (tax information should be from 2 years prior -- from 2021 for those applying for Fall 2023):

  • statement of income: either tax returns (translated if needed) or statement of earnings from employers

  • records of untaxed income: child support received, interest income, support from family members, etc.

  • asset information: bank statements, investments/stocks/bonds, home equity/other real estate equity, business/farm assets, etc.

• The explanation and special circumstances section may be quite useful if there is anything you would like to add or clarify further.

• Make sure to select your currency where the form asks and fill in all numbers using this currency (there is no need to convert because the university will do so themselves).

• Here is a video tutorial from College Board on filling out the CSS as an international student, covering an overview of the profile, what you need to submit, common mistakes made, etc.

Filling Out IDOC

• IDOC is a service connected to the CSS Profile which collects financial documents and provides them to institutions on behalf of the student.

• After filling out the CSS Profile, College Board may email you to request certain documents through IDOC, which may include:

  • 2021 federal income tax return (or non-tax filer statement) for custodial parent(s)

  • 2021 federal income tax return (or non-tax filer statement) for student

  • 2021 federal income tax return (or non-tax filer statement) for noncustodial parent, if applicable

  • A statement from parents' employers documenting 2021 annual earnings (if a tax return is not filed in the student’s country.)

• If IDOC is not requested, this means that Brown has enough information from the CSS Profile alone to decide on aid.

• To submit documents for IDOC, either upload them through the IDOC website or print a cover sheet from the IDOC website and mail the documents/copies with it.

What If I Cannot Use CSS?

• Students from Benin, Cameroon, Cuba, Ghana, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Sudan, and Togo cannot use the CSS Profile.

  • Instead, students are instructed to email financial_aid@brown.edu for an alternative.

  • Specify in the email if parents are divorced, separated, or never married.

Applying For Aid After Starting At Brown

• International students must apply for and receive aid upon applying to Brown, or you cannot be granted aid in later years (excluding extenuating circumstances).

• • • These circumstances include death of a wage-earning parent, civil war in your home country, or a natural disaster in your home country impacting your family. In these cases, international students can petition to apply for aid during any point in their time at Brown.

    • International students who have completed 4 or more semesters when their family experiences a "substantial and sustained" financial loss can also petition to apply for aid.

    • Use this form: https://finaid.brown.edu/sites/default/files/pdfs/22-23_Petition_%20Apply.pdf

    • The financial office will then decide 1) whether you will get aid and 2) if so, how much.