Are you an international student looking for a research-focused US university that will actually help pay for your education? Clark University Global Scholarships for international freshmen could be exactly what you need.
Clark University ranks among America’s top research universities and is the only university in the US to be recognized by both the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps as a school of national service. Its total cost of attendance sits at roughly $85,000 per year.
But here is the good news. Clark provides merit scholarships and need-based grants to a select number of international freshmen every year. On average, international students at Clark pay around $40,000 per year after scholarships and aid are applied — cutting the sticker price nearly in half.
Right now, international students come to Clark from over 100 countries around the world. The university’s motto — “Challenge Convention. Change Our World.” — reflects its deep commitment to global thinking and social impact.
So how can you secure your share of this funding? Let’s break it all down.
How Does Clark University Financial Aid Work for International Students?
First, know how Clark defines an international student. You qualify as an international applicant if you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Here is what makes Clark’s funding model work for global freshmen:
- Clark automatically considers all international applicants for merit-based scholarships — no separate scholarship application required for most awards.
- Both merit scholarships and need-based grants are available to international first-year students.
- Merit scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement alone, without consideration of financial need.
- Need-based aid is awarded on top of merit scholarships if your family financial need is greater than your merit award.
- Clark uses a need-aware admissions process, meaning your ability to cover a portion of your costs may affect your admission decision.
Most importantly, you must apply for need-based aid at the time you apply for admission. International students cannot apply for financial assistance after their first-year application. Never skip this step.
What Types of Scholarships Can You Get?
The Clark Global Scholars Program
This is the flagship international scholarship at Clark University and the one most directly designed for high-achieving global students.
If admitted to the Global Scholars Program, you will receive a scholarship of $15,000 to $25,000 per year for four years, contingent on meeting annual academic standards. This adds up to a total award of $60,000 to $100,000 over your undergraduate career.
On top of the scholarship itself, you gain access to exclusive programming, a community of internationally-minded peers, mentorship, and resources through Clark’s International Students and Scholars Office.
If your financial need exceeds the amount of your Global Scholars award, you may also be eligible for up to an additional $5,000 in need-based financial aid on top of the scholarship.
Additional Merit Scholarships for International Freshmen
Clark offers five total merit scholarships for entering first-year international students. Here are the awards you should know:
Presidential Scholarship — Clark’s most prestigious undergraduate award. It covers full tuition plus on-campus room and board for all four years, regardless of family financial situation. Awarded to approximately five students per year. Requires two additional scholarship essays due February 1. Finalists are selected and invited to interview for this competitive award.
International Traina Scholarship — Named after former Clark president Richard P. Traina. This is a $80,000 four-year award ($20,000 per year), awarded regardless of family financial need. It goes to exceptional students who have proven through high school performance and overall application strength that they are ready to excel at the highest level. No separate application required.
International Achievement Scholarship — Awarded to accomplished incoming students with very strong academic potential. This is a $112,000 four-year award ($28,000 per year), regardless of family financial need. No separate application required.
International Jonas Clark Scholarship — Named after Clark’s founder. This award recognizes students who demonstrate solid academic potential and the drive to challenge convention. It provides a $40,000 four-year award ($10,000 per year), regardless of financial need. No separate application required.
How Much Does Clark University Actually Cost?
Understanding the real numbers helps you see why these scholarships matter.
| Expense | Annual Cost (2025–2026) |
|---|---|
| Tuition | ~$58,000 |
| Room and Board | ~$16,000–$18,000 |
| Books and Supplies | ~$1,200 |
| Personal Expenses | ~$2,000–$3,000 |
| Health Insurance | ~$2,687 (per semester) |
| Total | ~$85,000 |
Without any aid, a four-year degree can cost over $340,000. But with the International Achievement Scholarship alone, your total award over four years reaches $112,000. After average scholarships and grants are applied, most international students at Clark pay approximately $40,000 per year.
Clark also offers families the option of locking in the first-year tuition rate for all four years by paying four years of tuition upfront — a unique protection against annual tuition increases.
Who Can Apply for These Scholarships?
To be eligible for Clark University Global Scholarships as an international freshman, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be a non-U.S. citizen and non-permanent resident applying as a first-year undergraduate student (transfer students are not eligible for the Global Scholars Program or Presidential Scholarship).
- For the Global Scholars Program, you must have attended school overseas for at least four years. International citizens attending school in the United States are also considered.
- You must demonstrate the potential to provide leadership in your community and the world and show a commitment to making a difference.
- You need a strong academic record from your secondary school. Scholarship eligibility is based entirely on academic achievement — not on family financial need.
- You should demonstrate English proficiency through TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE, or equivalent scores if English is not your first language.
- To be considered for need-based financial aid, you must submit the CSS Profile at the time of your application. Use Clark CSS Code 3279.
How to Apply Step by Step
Step 1: Submit your application through the Common App or Coalition App. All international applicants are automatically considered for most merit scholarships the moment you apply.
Step 2: Complete the International Student Certification of Finances and Financial Assistance Application Form, found on your Applicant Status Portal. This is the only acceptable form for financial aid consideration. Clark does not accept the ISFAA.
Step 3: Submit the CSS Profile through the College Board if you are applying for need-based financial aid. Use Clark CSS Code 3279. Submit it by your admission deadline.
Step 4: For the Global Scholars Program, complete the CSS Profile by your deadline. You will then receive detailed information — including the topic of a required short essay — on how to complete your Global Scholars application.
Step 5: For the Presidential Scholarship, indicate your interest and submit two additional scholarship essays by February 1. This deadline applies to both Early Action/Early Decision and Regular Decision applicants.
Step 6: Submit everything before your deadline.
Tips to Boost Your Scholarship Chances
Apply Early Decision or Early Action. Clark rewards students who apply early with priority scholarship consideration. The November 1 deadline consistently delivers stronger outcomes for merit award candidates.
Build an outstanding academic record. All of Clark’s merit scholarships are based on academic achievement. The stronger your grades and the more rigorous your coursework, the higher your scholarship tier will be.
Write a powerful Global Scholars essay. The Global Scholars Program requires a short essay. Use it to show exactly how your background, values, and goals connect to Clark’s mission of making a difference in the world. Be specific — vague essays rarely win top awards.
Demonstrate leadership and community impact. Clark explicitly looks for students committed to global change. Highlight positions you have held, projects you have led, and communities you have served.
Be accurate in your financial documentation. Clark’s need-aware process means your financial information directly affects your application. Errors or incomplete forms can lead to denial. Review every figure carefully before submitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Clark University offer full scholarships to international students?
Yes. The Presidential Scholarship covers full tuition plus on-campus room and board for four full years. It is awarded to approximately five students each year based entirely on academic excellence and leadership potential.
Do I need a separate application for merit scholarships?
For most awards — including the Traina, Achievement, and Jonas Clark scholarships — no separate application is required. All freshmen applicants are automatically considered. The Presidential Scholarship and Global Scholars Program each require additional essays.
Is Clark need-blind for international students?
No. Clark uses a need-aware admissions process, meaning your ability to pay a portion of your costs may affect your admissions decision. However, if admitted, merit scholarships are awarded purely on academic merit without considering financial need.
Can I receive both a merit scholarship and need-based aid?
Yes. If your demonstrated financial need exceeds your merit scholarship award, you may qualify for additional need-based grants. For Global Scholars specifically, up to an additional $5,000 in need-based financial aid is available.