International Applicants | Johns Hopkins University Admissions (2024)

How long is the undergraduate program?

Open Close

When do students enroll?

Open Close

Hopkins enrolls both first-year and transfer students during August of each year.

Please note: We accept transfer students into our entering sophom*ore and junior classes for the fall semester only.

Does Hopkins admit a certain number of students from each country?

Open Close

Where can I get more information about studying in the U.S.?

Open Close

What kind of credit is available for IB, AP, and CIE/A-Level courses?

Open Close

See the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences and Whiting School of Engineering External Credit Policies.

Visit Cambridge Assessment International Education for more information about Cambridge International Examinations, including International A-Levels and Cambridge Pre-U.

If I am admitted to Hopkins, can I defer my enrollment to take a gap year or satisfy my military obligations?

Open Close

Yes, you may defer enrollment for up to two years or the duration of your military obligations.

Deferrals are granted on an individual basis and are not guaranteed. Students are not permitted to study at another institution for credit during their deferral year(s) and must begin their studies in the fall semester upon their return.

Who can I contact with questions about international admissions?

Open Close

Please emailintlhelp@jhu.edu with any general international undergraduate admissions questions. You can also email your regional admissions counselor if you have any questions specific to the area where you live or study.

For information regarding our graduate programs, you can contact the admissions offices of ourGraduate Programs.

Which school documents do I need to submit?

Open Close

If my school documents are in a language that is not English, will I need to send translated documents as well?

Open Close

What if my school does not use GPAs or class rank?

Open Close

Is standardized testing required?

Open Close

Standardized testing is optional at Hopkins through the 2025-2026 application year. This means if you are applying to Hopkins as part of the class entering in the fall of 2024, 2025, or 2026, you will not need to submit test scores to be considered for admission.

TOEFL, IELTS, the Duolingo English Test (DET), or the Cambridge English Exam are recommended for applicants whose primary language is not English or students who have not attended an English language school for the last three years.

View Standardized Testing for more details.

Are admissions counselors familiar with my country’s educational system?

Open Close

Is financial aid available for international students?

Open Close

Yes. Need-based and merit scholarships are available for international applicants, although both types of assistance are limited. If you anticipate needing any financial assistance throughout your four years at Hopkins, you must apply for financial aid as a first-year applicant.

For more information, visit .

How do international students apply for financial aid? Do financial circ*mstances impact the admissions process?

Open Close

Hopkins is need-aware for international students, meaning that financial circ*mstances are considered in the admissions process. Hopkins meets 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students, including international students. About 10% of international students receive financial aid.

If you anticipate needing any financial assistance throughout your four years at Hopkins, you must apply for financial aid as a first-year applicant.

If you are an international student and think you will need financial aid, you must indicate this on the admissions application and submit theCSS Profile. See for a full list of important dates. If you cannot cover the cost of the CSS Profile as an international student, please reach out to your regional admissions counselor. We do not provide fee waivers for international applicants completing the CSS Profile.

International citizens who indicate that they are applying for financial aid must submit the International Student Certification of Finances (COF) form that they access through their application portal.

International citizens who are not applying for financial aid do not need to submit the COF unless admitted to the university. In that case, these students must submit the COF Form before the deadline. They will not be able to enroll in the university without the submission and acceptance of these supplemental materials.

International students who do not apply for financial aid as a first-year applicant will not be able to apply for aid later.

What is the difference between need-blind and need-aware?

Open Close

Need-blind means a student’s ability to pay is not a factor the admissions committee considers. Hopkins is need-blind for domestic applicants, which includes U.S. citizens, permanent residents, students with DACA or undocumented status, and other eligible non-citizens. If a student holds U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status while living outside of the U.S., they will still be considered in a need-blind review process where their admissions decision will be considered independent of their financial circ*mstances.

Hopkins is need-aware for international citizens (who do not hold U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status) that apply for financial aid. This means financial circ*mstances are considered in the admissions process. Hopkins still promises to meet 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students, including international students.

Can I apply for financial aid after admissions decisions are released?

Open Close

What if my family’s financial circ*mstances change after I am admitted?

Open Close

Can I apply for need-based scholarships after I receive my admissions decision?

Open Close

What is the difference between the Certification of Finances form (COF) and the CSS Profile?

Open Close

The Certification of Finances form (COF) is a document the admissions committee uses during the need-aware review process for international citizens applying for financial aid. The form is less comprehensive than the CSS Profile and is intended to provide a snapshot of the family’s estimated family contribution. All international citizens requesting financial aid must submit the COF through their applicant portal before the deadline of the decision plan they are applying.

The CSS Profile is a more comprehensive financial aid application that Student Financial Support uses. Financial aid advisers use information from the CSS Profile when determining a financial aid offer.

International students applying for financial aid must submit both the COF form and the CSS Profile.

Check our Application Deadlines and Requirements page to learn more about the deadlines to submit the CSS Profile.

Who should I reach out to if I have questions about the Certification of Finances form (COF) or the CSS Profile?

Open Close

Any questions about the Certification of Finances form (COF) should be directed to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at intlhelp@jhu.edu.

Inquiries about the CSS Profile and/or related financial aid documents (tax forms, income statements, etc.) should be directed to Student Financial Support.

What is the difference between need-based scholarships and merit scholarships?

Open Close

Need-based scholarships are based solely on a family’s ability to pay for college. For all international citizens, we promise to meet 100% of a family’s demonstrated need—the difference between the total cost of attendance each year and what a family can pay. We also promise to meet this need without any loans.

Merit scholarships are based on student achievement both in and outside the classroom. All applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships when they apply to Hopkins, regardless of citizenship or their ability to pay.

Does Hopkins offer merit scholarships to international citizens?

Open Close

Yes, Hopkins offers a small number of merit scholarships to international citizens each year.

There is no additional application students need to submit to become eligible for merit scholarships. Our admissions committee automatically considers all applications for merit scholarships.

Is the financial aid process different in Early Decision I and II and Regular Decision?

Open Close

Applicants in all admissions plans receive the same consideration for financial aid. We promise to meet 100% of a family’s demonstrated need without loans for international citizens admitted in Early Decision I, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision. International citizens are also eligible for merit scholarships in all admissions plans.

To learn more about the benefits of Early Decision, visit our Early Decision page.

Do you accept the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) form?

Open Close

If you are unable to complete the CSS Profile, we encourage you to complete our free alternative form, the Johns Hopkins University International Student Financial Aid Application.

Please allow 5 to 7 days for us to process your application. You can check the status of your International Student Financial Aid Application on your Financial Aid Checklist in your applicant portal.

Please note the CSS Profile will show as ‘Waived,’ and no further action is required. Student Financial Support will contact you directly if we need the full CSS Profile or any additional supporting documents.

When will I get access to Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC)?

Open Close

My parents are divorced (or separated). Do they both need to provide financial information?

Open Close

Yes. You and your custodial parent (the parent you live with the most) will complete a CSS Profile together. Your noncustodial parent will also need to fill out their own CSS Profile.

We realize that issues of college support may be complicated in divorced and separated families, and we evaluate each situation individually. If you believe special circ*mstances exist in your family, please review the CSS Profile Waiver Request for the Noncustodial Parent or contact Student Financial Support if you have additional questions.

Are international transfer students eligible for financial aid?

Open Close

Currently, we do not offer financial aid to international transfer students.

Need-based scholarships are available for domestic transfer students only. Hopkins defines domestic students as U.S. citizens, permanent residents,eligible noncitizens, and those with DACA or undocumented status.

If you’re an international transfer student and need help paying for college, you can seek out private loans to cover your college costs. Most lenders require a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen. VisitFinancial Aidfor more information.

How do I take out a private education loan?

Open Close

Can I work while I am a Hopkins student?

Open Close

Students with an F-1 visa are eligible for on-campus employment but are limited to working a maximum of 20 hours per week during the school year. They may work full-time (40 hours per week) during the summer. On-campus employment may also include jobs with employers that are educationally affiliated with Hopkins, such as research work at a Hopkins affiliate.

For more information, visit IOS’ On-Campus Employment.