Notre Dame is one of the very few American universities that says, in writing, that admission decisions for undergraduate international applicants are need-blind – your family’s ability to pay is not considered – and that it then meets 100 percent of the need it calculates, using grants and scholarships only, with no loans in the University’s offer.
For an Indian applicant this is a different deal from the typical need-aware Ivy. The remaining work is the calendar: for Fall 2027 entry the Regular Decision application closes on 1 January 2027 and the CSS Profile is due 15 January 2027. Restrictive Early Action closed on 1 November 2026. Every number below is from Notre Dame’s own financial aid pages, linked at the end.
Notre Dame financial aid for international students 2027: quick facts
Quick facts2026-27
| Scholarship from | University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA – need-based University scholarships and grants for undergraduate study, plus a limited number of merit scholarships |
| Last date to apply | 1 January 2027 (Regular Decision application); CSS Profile by 15 January 2027. Restrictive Early Action closed on 1 November 2026 |
| Official website | financialaid.nd.edu – international undergraduate students |
Need-blind for international students: what Notre Dame promises
Notre Dame repeats the promise on two separate pages, which is worth noting because most universities with need-blind policies apply them to US applicants only.
- Need-blind admission for all students. Notre Dame states that admission decisions for undergraduate international applicants are need-blind, and that your ability to pay is not considered when evaluating your application.
- 100 percent of demonstrated need met. The University says it covers the gap between the cost of attendance and what your family can reasonably contribute.
- Scholarships, not loans. The University’s aid offer is composed of grants and scholarships that do not need to be paid back. Your family may still choose to borrow, but borrowing is not part of the offer.
- A four-year commitment. Notre Dame states that as long as your family’s financial circumstances remain substantially the same, the aid stays consistent for all four undergraduate years, and it reviews the file again if circumstances change.
What Notre Dame aid covers at each income level
Notre Dame publishes its aid bands by family household income, which makes it easy to judge whether the school is realistic before you spend money on applications:
| Family income up to US$60,000 | Tuition, fees, housing and food covered |
| Up to US$150,000 | At least full tuition |
| Up to US$200,000 | At least half tuition |
| US$200,000 and above | Full demonstrated need |
The bands come with one honest caveat. Families with assets above what is typical for their income level may not qualify for that level of support, though Notre Dame says it still funds 100 percent of demonstrated need. Asset checks include savings, investments, business net worth, other real estate and home equity, while qualifying retirement accounts are excluded from the calculation. Notre Dame also states that more than 70 percent of all undergraduates receive some type of financial aid.
Deadlines for Fall 2027 entry
Notre Dame splits the admission deadline and the aid deadline, and the gap is only two weeks. Miss the second date and the file is read without aid.
| Restrictive Early Action application | 1 November 2026 (closed) |
| Restrictive Early Action CSS Profile | 15 November 2026 |
| Regular Decision application | 1 January 2027 |
| Regular Decision CSS Profile | 15 January 2027 |
| Fall 2027 transfer application | 15 March 2027 |
| Fall 2027 transfer CSS Profile | 1 May 2027 |
The 2027-28 CSS Profile opened on 1 October 2026, so both rounds can be filed now. Notre Dame also notes that summer session financial assistance, including need-based scholarships, is extremely limited – plan the degree across the regular academic years rather than expecting summer funding.
Documents an Indian applicant files at Notre Dame
There is no separate Notre Dame scholarship form. Aid runs through the College Board:
- CSS Profile with school code 1841. Notre Dame asks for the 2027-28 version for Fall 2027 entry.
- IDOC documents, once requested. Requests are raised after the CSS Profile is submitted, through the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service.
- Parent tax return or a non-filer statement. Notre Dame accepts a US or foreign tax return, or a parent non-filer statement where no return exists.
- Parent earning statements for the prior year. Notre Dame gives the example of an official document from the employer showing the annual salary amount.
For Indian families the earning statement is usually the item that takes longest, because it needs a signed employer letter or official salary document rather than a self-declaration. Start it in December so the 15 January date is not the first time anyone asks HR for the letter.
Merit scholarships at Notre Dame: the trade-off
Notre Dame offers a limited number of merit scholarships to admitted first-year students, judged on accomplishment, leadership, commitment to service and intellectual promise, with financial need not a factor unless stated. There is no separate application for most of them.
The rule to understand is the interaction: students who receive both a merit scholarship and a need-based scholarship from the University are subject to a reduction or elimination of the need-based portion. A merit award therefore often reshapes the package rather than adding to it, so do not count a merit scholarship as extra money on top of a full-need offer.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Notre Dame states that admission decisions for undergraduate international applicants are need-blind, so your family’s ability to pay is not considered when your application is evaluated.
Yes. Notre Dame says it meets 100 percent of demonstrated financial need, covering the gap between the cost of attendance and what your family can reasonably contribute.
No. Notre Dame states that its financial aid offer is composed of only grants and scholarships that do not need to be paid back. Families may choose to borrow separately, but loans are not part of the University’s offer.
1841. Notre Dame asks international applicants to file the CSS Profile with school code 1841 for the relevant academic year.
Regular Decision applications close on 1 January 2027 and the CSS Profile is due 15 January 2027. Restrictive Early Action closed on 1 November 2026 with the CSS Profile due 15 November 2026.
The CSS Profile with school code 1841, then IDOC documents requested by the University: a parent US or foreign tax return or a parent non-filer statement, and parent earning statements for the prior year such as an official employer letter showing the annual salary.
Yes. Notre Dame states that students who receive both a merit scholarship and a need-based scholarship are subject to a reduction or elimination of the need-based portion, so a merit award often reshapes the package rather than adding to it.
Official links
Related reading: Notre Dame financial aid for international undergraduate students
Notre Dame costs and affordability
Notre Dame Office of Financial Aid
Related reading: browse USA scholarships, international scholarships and study abroad scholarships for more options for Indian students.
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