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 — 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.
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 typical deadline (Nov 9, 2026). Steps marked NOW are already due if you start today.
Aug 17, 2026 · NOWResearch the route in depth — confirm eligibility, costs and every required document
Aug 31, 2026 · NOWAsk your referees (for a PhD, email potential supervisors with a short, specific pitch)
Sep 14, 2026 · NOWWrite the first full draft of your motivation letter or statement of purpose
Sep 28, 2026Order transcripts and certified translations · book any language test
Oct 12, 2026Second draft — get feedback from someone who reads critically
Oct 26, 2026Finalise every document and complete the online form
Nov 2, 2026Submit — never on the last day
Nov 9, 2026Typical deadline
Related routes
Dartmouth College
Due in 37 daysDetails →
Colby College
Due in 51 daysDetails →
Harvard University
Due in 37 daysDetails →
Brown University
Due in 37 daysDetails →
Sources
- Amherst College — Financial aid for international students
- Amherst College — Calendar and deadlines for first-year applicants
- Amherst College — International applicants
- Amherst College — Standardized testing policy
- Amherst College — Applying for financial aid as an international student
- Amherst College — Costs for international students 2026–27
- Amherst College — Fees for the 2026–27 academic year
- College Board — What does the CSS Profile cost?
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — I-901 SEVIS fee
- Boston University ISSO — Visa integrity fee (with the $185 visa fee)
Page reviewed Sep 25, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official source.