What the funding covers
- Need-blind admission for international students: your aid request is not considered.
- 100% of calculated financial need met for admitted international students who apply for aid.
- No-loan aid: offers contain only grants, scholarships and student employment.
What you will still pay
| Cost | Who pays |
|---|---|
| Tuition, housing, meals and fees ($75,330 + $10,980 + $9,340 + $710 in 2026–27) | Amherst scholarships and a campus job, up to your full calculated need, with no loans in your offer |
| Books and course materials | Included in the comprehensive fee for every student |
| Health insurance ($3,627 a year, required unless you have comparable cover) | Aided students can request a Health Insurance Scholarship to pay for it |
| One round trip home a year | Counted in your aid budget, but you book and pay for the tickets yourself |
| Application fee ($75) | You, unless you request a fee waiver |
| CSS Profile ($25 for the first college, $16 for each extra one) | You, or ask to file the free ISFAA if the fee is a serious hardship |
| US student visa: $185 application fee and $350 SEVIS fee, plus a new $250 visa integrity fee that some embassies now charge | You, before you travel |
Who can apply
- First-year applicants from any country applying to Amherst College.
- Aid is based on calculated need from your family's financial documents.
Which nationalities can apply
Every nationality can apply.
Documents you will need
- Common Application or QuestBridge application
- SAT or ACT only if you want them considered; tests are optional for all applicants, including international students
- An English test unless your last two years of secondary school were taught in English: TOEFL iBT (or Home Edition), IELTS Academic or Duolingo. Amherst strongly recommends a TOEFL of 100 (5.5 on the scale used from 21 January 2026). Self-reported scores are fine until you enrol
- CSS Profile, filled in using your home currency (Amherst code 3003), or the ISFAA, by 13 November 2026 for Early Decision or 15 January 2027 for Regular Decision
- Your parents' most recent income tax returns (and yours, if you file), with every schedule, notated or translated into English
How to apply
- Apply through the Common Application or QuestBridge with Amherst's requirements.
- Choose Early Decision (binding, 9 November 2026) or Regular Decision (5 January 2027).
- Submit your financial aid application with the admission application.
- Ask for an application fee waiver if the fee is a barrier.
Before you apply: things to know
- Early Decision is binding; only use it if Amherst is your clear first choice and the aid estimate works for you.
- Amherst's intake is small (under 500 first-years), so admission is very competitive.
- Being need-blind for internationals is rare; strong applicants who need full aid should put Amherst on their list.
Common questions
Will asking for aid affect my chances?
No. Amherst is need-blind for international applicants, meets 100% of calculated need, and its aid offers contain no loans.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
No. Test scores are optional for every applicant, including international students.
Is health insurance covered?
Not at first; it is outside the initial aid budget. But if you receive Amherst aid and use the college's health plan, the $3,627 cost is added to your budget and covered by a Health Insurance Scholarship.
A working timeline
Counting back from the next deadline (Jan 5, 2027). Steps marked NOW are already due if you start today.
Oct 13, 2026 · NOWResearch the route in depth: confirm eligibility, costs and every required document
Oct 27, 2026 · NOWAsk your referees (for a PhD, email potential supervisors with a short, specific pitch)
Nov 10, 2026 · NOWWrite the first full draft of your motivation letter or statement of purpose
Nov 24, 2026Order transcripts and certified translations · book any language test
Dec 8, 2026Second draft: get feedback from someone who reads critically
Dec 22, 2026Finalise every document and complete the online form
Dec 29, 2026Submit, but never on the last day
Jan 5, 2027Deadline