Bucknell University, a liberal arts university in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, is honest about the hard part: its financial aid for international students is limited, competitive and need aware. What makes it worth applying to anyway is the paperwork – Bucknell runs its own free International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA) and does not require the paid CSS Profile from international applicants, so a strong student with real need can put a full aid file in front of the committee without paying a single application fee beyond the admission fee.
The deadline for Indian applicants in this cycle is 10 January 2027, which covers Early Decision II and Regular Decision. Early Decision I closed on 1 November 2026. Aid documents go to the admissions office with the application, not to the financial aid office afterwards.
Bucknell University international aid at a glance
Quick facts2026-27
| Scholarship from | Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania – limited need-based aid plus a few partial merit scholarships |
| Last date to apply | 10 January 2027 (Early Decision II and Regular Decision). Early Decision I closed on 1 November 2026 |
| Official website | bucknell.edu – Financial Aid for International Students |
How much aid Bucknell actually gives international students
Bucknell does not publish a full-need promise for international applicants, and the aid page says so directly: “Bucknell financial aid for international students is limited. In each class, we consider all applicants for financial assistance, but only a small number of highly qualified international applicants are ultimately chosen to receive financial assistance.”
- Bucknell is not need-blind for international students – a family’s contribution is part of the admission decision, along with academics, test scores, leadership, talents and geography
- Competition is higher for applicants with higher financial need, so a smaller ask improves the odds of being admitted and funded
- International transfer students are “extremely rare” recipients of aid
- A few partial merit scholarships go to international students each year, and candidates must apply by the admission deadline to be considered
- For context on the general population, Bucknell says more than half of its students receive some financial assistance and the average total need-based package is US$58,500
The ISAFA: a free aid form instead of the CSS Profile
This is the practical advantage over most US colleges. Bucknell’s own international aid page lists the documents, and none of them is the CSS Profile:
- International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA) – Bucknell’s own form, free to submit
- A certified original bank statement, or a Financial Certification Document (FCD) if a bank statement cannot be produced – this is required even if you are not applying for aid, because it underpins the I-20
- The CSS Profile is optional and Bucknell cannot issue CSS fee waivers, so there is no reason to pay for it unless you want to
- Tax documents and salary statements are not needed at the application stage, though they can be requested later for verification
- Everything goes to the Admissions Office through your admission portal or by email to [email protected]
Bucknell also warns that tuition rises each year and recommends budgeting about 3.5% more family support for every year of study – a detail most aid pages leave out, and an important one when you are converting dollars to rupees for a four-year plan.
Bucknell cost of attendance for international students 2026-27
| Tuition (two semesters, full-time) | US$72,600 |
| Housing (standard double room) | US$11,400 |
| Food (Bucknell meal plan) | US$6,980 |
| Approximate health insurance | US$2,136 |
| Student fee | US$900 |
| Books, course materials, supplies and equipment | US$900 |
| Incidentals (personal expenses) | US$2,000 |
| Travel | US$800 |
| Total for international students | US$97,716 |
The rows reconcile: the general on-campus cost of attendance is US$95,580 (72,600 + 11,400 + 6,980 + 900 + 900 + 800 + 2,000), and the international figure adds the US$2,136 health insurance line to reach US$97,716. The university’s summary also quotes a “comprehensive cost” of US$91,880 covering tuition, housing, meals and the student fee only, and a cost-of-attendance budget of US$95,648 for domestic aid purposes – the US$97,716 figure is the one that applies to an international student’s file.
Documents for the Bucknell application
- Common App or Coalition application with the admission fee, submitted by 10 January 2027 for Regular Decision and Early Decision II
- Academic transcripts and school report, plus counselor and teacher recommendations
- ISAFA plus a certified bank statement or Financial Certification Document – required from every international applicant
- Proof of financial support for at least the first nine months of study before Bucknell can issue the I-20 or DS-2019
- English proficiency evidence and any test scores you choose to report – check the international admissions pages for the current thresholds
Important dates for autumn 2027 entry
| Early Decision I application and ISAFA | 1 November 2026 – closed |
| Early Decision II application and ISAFA | 10 January 2027 |
| Regular Decision application and ISAFA | 10 January 2027 |
| Financial documents deadline | With the application, via the portal or [email protected] |
Aid decisions at Bucknell are made inside the admission process, so there is no separate later round to fall back on. If the numbers do not work without aid, apply in the round where your file is strongest rather than waiting for a transfer route, since international transfers almost never receive funding here.
Frequently asked questions
No. Bucknell states that aid for international students is limited and competitive, that only a small number of highly qualified applicants are chosen, and that it is not need-blind for international students. There is no published full-need guarantee.
No. International applicants use Bucknell’s free International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA) plus a certified bank statement or Financial Certification Document. The CSS Profile is optional and Bucknell does not offer CSS fee waivers.
10 January 2027 for Early Decision II and Regular Decision. Early Decision I closed on 1 November 2026. The ISAFA and financial documents go in with the application.
No. Aid is decided during admission and international transfer students are extremely rarely funded, so the ISAFA has to be part of the original application.
US$97,716 in total: tuition US$72,600, housing US$11,400, food US$6,980, health insurance US$2,136, student fee US$900, books US$900, personal expenses US$2,000 and travel US$800.
Bucknell awards a few partial merit scholarships to international students each year and does not publish a range. Candidates must apply by the admission deadline to be considered.
Yes. Every international applicant must submit the Financial Certification Document or a certified bank statement to show proof of support for at least the first nine months of study, which Bucknell needs before issuing the I-20.
Official links
- Bucknell University – Financial Aid for International Students
- Bucknell University – Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
- Bucknell University – Admissions Dates and Deadlines
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International scholarships
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