UndergraduateFully Funded

Colby Commitment

Heads up — this listing may be outdated. The dates and details below reference a year that has already passed and our editorial team has not re-verified this scholarship is still open. Always confirm the current intake on the sponsor's official website via the button below before you invest time in an application.

The Colby Commitment aims to eliminate financial barriers for undergraduate students by providing fully funded aid, no loans, and capped parent contributions based on income. It also guarantees funded research, internship, and global experiences.

Provider: Colby College Intl Aid
Host country: United States
Deadline: November 15 (Early Decision I), January 15 (Early Decision II & Regular Decision)

Official source

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Colby Commitment is open to African students applying to study in United States at the Undergraduate level, with fully funded funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply: Undergraduate · applicants for United States
Funding: Fully Funded
Study level: Undergraduate
Deadline: November 15 (Early Decision I), January 15 (Early Decision II & Regular Decision)

Key eligibility criteria

Undergraduate students, with specific financial eligibility based on family income and assets (up to $200,000 with typical assets).

What the fully funded award covers

Internship placement

About the Colby Commitment (2026)

# Colby Commitment: Fully Funded Undergraduate Aid ## Overview The Colby Commitment is a transformative financial aid program offered by Colby College Intl Aid, designed to eliminate financial barriers for students pursuing an undergraduate degree. This initiative ensures that talented students, regardless of their socioeconomic background, can access a world-class education without the burden of application fees, loans, or high parent contributions. The program emphasizes significant financial aid, funded experiences through DavisConnects, and comprehensive support for student success. It aims to make Colby more affordable than many other four-year colleges and universities, fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment. ## Benefits The Colby Commitment provides substantial financial benefits to eligible students. Key benefits include: * **No Application Fees:** There is no charge to apply to Colby College. * **No Loans:** The financial aid packages are designed to be loan-free, minimizing post-graduation debt. * **No Barriers:** The program strives to remove financial obstacles to attending Colby. * **Parent/Guardian Contribution Limits:** * For families with a total income of $75,000 or less and typical assets, the parent or guardian contribution is $0. * For families with a total income of $75,001 to $100,000 and typical assets, the parent or guardian contribution is no more than $10,000. * For families with a total income of $100,001 to $150,000 and typical assets, the parent or guardian contribution is no more than $15,000. * For families with a total income of $150,001 to $200,000 and typical assets, the parent or guardian contribution is no more than $20,000. * **Significant Financial Aid Offers:** The average financial aid offer for incoming students is over $77,000 (as of July 1, 2025). * **Funded Experiences:** Through DavisConnects, all students are guaranteed access to fully funded research, internship, and global experiences worldwide. Scholar Programs provide additional funding opportunities. * **Comprehensive Student Support:** Colby invests in mentoring, resources, and opportunities to ensure lifelong success for its students. ## Eligibility While specific eligibility criteria are not exhaustively detailed on the page, the program is generally aimed at prospective undergraduate students. The key financial eligibility points are tied to family income and assets: * Families with a total income up to $200,000 with typical assets are eligible for defined parent/guardian contribution limits. * The program is designed to support students who might otherwise face financial barriers to attending a college like Colby. * Applicants are evaluated individually within the context of their background. ## Required Documents The provided text does not explicitly list required documents for the Colby Commitment itself. However, as it is tied to the college application process and financial aid, applicants will typically need to submit a comprehensive application for admission, which usually includes: * Standard college application forms (e.g., Common Application or Coalition Application). * Academic transcripts. * Letters of recommendation. * Essays or personal statements. * Financial aid forms, such as the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and/or CSS Profile (College Scholarship Service Profile), to determine family income and assets. These forms are crucial for Colby to assess the family's financial situation and calculate the appropriate parent/guardian contribution. * Test scores (SAT/ACT) are optional for admission to Colby College. * No additional writing supplements are required. ## How to Apply Applying for the Colby Commitment is integrated into the general application process for admission to Colby College. Key steps include: 1. **Complete the Colby Application:** Submit your application for admission to Colby College. There is no fee to apply. 2. **No Additional Writing Supplements:** Applicants are not required to submit extra writing supplements beyond the main application. 3. **Optional Test Scores:** Decided whether or not to submit SAT or ACT scores, as they are optional. 4. **Submit Financial Aid Forms:** To be considered for the Colby Commitment's financial aid, prospective students must submit the necessary financial aid forms (e.g., FAFSA and/or CSS Profile) by the stated deadlines. These forms are used to assess parental/guardian contributions based on income and assets. 5. **Calculate Your Costs:** Prospective applicants are encouraged to use the "Calculate Your Costs" tool available on the official website to get an estimate of their potential family contribution. ## Key Dates The application deadlines for admission and, by extension, consideration for the Colby Commitment are as follows: * **November 15:** Early Decision I * **January 15:** Early Decision II & Regular Decision Applicants should ensure all components of their application, including financial aid forms, are submitted by these deadlines to be considered for the Colby Commitment. ## Selection Criteria Applicants for the Colby Commitment are evaluated holistically within the context of their background. While specific selection criteria for the financial aid component are primarily based on demonstrated financial need (as assessed by family income and assets), admission to Colby College itself involves a comprehensive review: * **Academic Performance:** Strong academic records are typically a key factor. * **Extracurricular Activities:** Participation and leadership in activities outside of academics. * **Personal Qualities:** Essays, recommendations, and interviews (if applicable) help assess character, potential, and fit with Colby's community. * **Contextual Evaluation:** Each applicant is evaluated as an individual, considering their unique background and circumstances. * **Financial Need:** For the Colby Commitment specifically, the primary selection criterion is the financial situation of the applicant's family, determining their parent/guardian contribution tier. ## Tips * **Review the Commitment Brochure:** For more detailed information, prospective applicants are encouraged to view the "Commitment Brochure" linked on the official page. * **Utilize the Cost Calculator:** Before applying, use the "Calculate Your Costs" tool provided on the Colby website to understand potential financial obligations. * **Apply by Deadlines:** Ensure all application materials, including financial aid forms, are submitted by the Early Decision I, Early Decision II, or Regular Decision deadlines. * **Showcase Your Strengths:** Despite the financial focus of the Commitment, admission to Colby is competitive. Highlight your academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities in your application. * **Understand Parent Contribution:** Carefully review the income tiers and corresponding parent/guardian contribution limits to understand the potential out-of-pocket costs. * **Explore Partner Programs:** If you are part of an organization like Davis UWC Scholars, The Posse Foundation, QuestBridge, or other listed partners, leverage those affiliations as they work closely with Colby. ## Official Source For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the Colby Commitment, please visit the official website: [https://afa.colby.edu/cost-and-aid/colby-commitment/](https://afa.colby.edu/cost-and-aid/colby-commitment/) Additionally, the Commitment Brochure offers further details and can be accessed at: [https://issuu.com/colbycollegeadmissions/docs/colby_college_commitment_brochure_2025](https://issuu.com/colbycollegeadmissions/docs/colby_college_commitment_brochure_2025)

What the Fully Funded Colby Commitment covers

The award components below were extracted from the sponsor's published description. Always cross-check the exact figures, ceiling amounts and conditions on the official site before you budget around them.

Internship placement

Colby Commitment eligibility for United States applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

Undergraduate students, with specific financial eligibility based on family income and assets (up to $200,000 with typical assets).

Documents required for the Colby Commitment application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Standardised test scores where required (SAT or ACT for many U.S. universities)
Secondary-school leaving certificate (WAEC, KCSE, NSC, EGSECE or equivalent)
Financial-need declaration or family-income statement (sponsor-specific template)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the Colby Commitment 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://afa.colby.edu/cost-and-aid/colby-commitment/ and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "Undergraduate students, with specific financial eligibility based on family income and assets (up to $200,000 with typical assets).". Sponsor rules change between intakes, so always confirm against the live call.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Apply to the host university or programme first where required, and obtain a conditional admission letter. A growing number of sponsors only fund applicants who already hold an offer.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a 500–1,000-word personal statement and any additional essays the sponsor specifies. Anchor each essay in concrete examples and tie your goals back to the sponsor's mission.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://afa.colby.edu/cost-and-aid/colby-commitment/, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Aim to have the full draft complete by 16 Nov 2014. Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit by November 15 (Early Decision I), January 15 (Early Decision II & Regular Decision) (aim 7 days early)
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours before the 15 Jan 2015 deadline. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, Colby College Intl Aid will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

Colby Commitment deadline & application timeline

Working backwards from the sponsor's stated deadline (November 15 (Early Decision I), January 15 (Early Decision II & Regular Decision)). Dates assume a smooth, single-attempt timeline — start earlier where you can.

12 months out
20 Jan 2014
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
19 Jul 2014
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
17 Oct 2014
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
16 Dec 2014
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
15 Jan 2015
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

Visit official site

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the Colby Commitment?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Undergraduate level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Colby College Intl Aid, and be able to relocate to United States for the duration of the programme.

Is the Colby Commitment fully funded?+

Funding model: Fully Funded. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is November 15 (Early Decision I), January 15 (Early Decision II & Regular Decision). Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

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