The University of Rochester is one of the US universities that openly offers need-based financial aid to international undergraduates, and it does not ask international applicants to file the FAFSA. The document that decides your eligibility is the College Board CSS Profile, and for Fall 2027 entry the Early Decision deadline is 1 November while Early Decision II and Regular Decision applicants must file by 5 January 2027.
This page sets out what Rochester’s own Financial Aid office publishes for international undergraduates – who qualifies, which form to file, the exact deadlines and the school code you need – so you can plan the application without guessing.
University of Rochester financial aid for international students: the quick facts
Quick facts2026-27
| Scholarship from | University of Rochester (need-based grant aid for international undergraduates) |
| Last date to apply | 5 January 2027, 12:00 am ET for Early Decision II and Regular Decision (Fall 2027); Early Decision 1 November 2026 |
| Official website | rochester.edu/financial-aid/international |
Does Rochester give financial aid to international students?
Yes. Rochester states plainly that it offers need-based financial aid to international undergraduate students, and that international students do not need to complete the FAFSA. That is unusual among US universities, most of which route international applicants to merit awards only.
The office also frames the limits honestly. It says that in some cases the University will work with students and their families to identify available financial resources, which is a reminder that an aid offer is a judgement on your family’s documented need, not an automatic full ride.
The CSS Profile, and the school code you need
Rochester uses the College Board CSS Profile to determine your eligibility for need-based University of Rochester grant funding. The Profile carries a filing fee, but the College Board can waive it for families who qualify, and the Board decides on the waiver from the information you enter.
Rochester’s CSS Profile school code is 2928. The Profile for the 2027-28 academic year is expected to become available on 1 October 2026, so an applicant for Fall 2027 should file as soon as the form opens and then complete whatever the aid office asks for by email.
Deadlines for international applicants
- Early Decision, Fall 2027: CSS Profile by 1 November 2026, 12:00 am ET.
- Early Decision II and Regular Decision, Fall 2027: CSS Profile by 5 January 2027, 12:00 am ET.
- Spring 2027 entry: CSS Profile by 1 December 2026.
- Transfer, fall semester: CSS Profile by 15 March.
- Transfer, spring semester: CSS Profile by 1 October.
After filing, Rochester emails instructions on completing the rest of the financial aid application. For Early Decision applicants that email arrives between December and March, and for ED II and Regular Decision applicants between March and June. Check the mailbox you used on the Profile, including the spam folder.
IDOC and extra documents
In some limited cases Rochester asks international students to send additional documentation to the College Board’s IDOC Service, including institutional forms and relevant tax information. You are notified by the College Board by email if that applies to you. Add collegeboard.org, collegeboard.com and student-1.com to your safe senders list so those mails do not disappear.
The international community at Rochester
Rochester says it is home to more than 2,300 international students and scholars, with more than 100 countries represented across its campuses. For an Indian applicant that matters practically: orientation, visa advising and campus support for international students are well established.
How to apply: step by step
- Apply for admission to Rochester through its admissions website, choosing Early Decision, Early Decision II or Regular Decision.
- Create a College Board account and add the CSS Profile for the 2027-28 year once it opens on 1 October 2026.
- Enter Rochester’s school code 2928 and submit the Profile before your round’s deadline: 1 November 2026 for Early Decision, 5 January 2027 for ED II and Regular Decision.
- Watch for Rochester’s email with further financial aid instructions, and send any IDOC documents the College Board requests.
- Keep copies of every tax and income document you used, in case the aid office asks for verification.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Rochester offers need-based financial aid to international undergraduate students and does not require them to file the FAFSA.
The school code is 2928.
Early Decision applicants must file the CSS Profile by 1 November 2026, and Early Decision II and Regular Decision applicants by 5 January 2027, 12:00 am ET.
No. Rochester states that international students do not need to complete the FAFSA; the CSS Profile is the form used to assess need.
Yes, in some cases. The College Board waives the fee for families who qualify, based on the information provided in the Profile.
It is expected to become available on 1 October 2026. File as soon as your documents are ready and well before your round’s deadline.
Official links
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