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International Student Merit-Based Aid

Last verified 15 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

International students studying on an F-1 or J-1 student visa are eligible for merit-based aid consideration, which is part of the admission process at The New School. This aid helps to offset the cost of attendance.

Provider: The New School
Host country: United States
Region: Americas

Official source

Topics

Undergraduate scholarships

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

International Student Merit-Based Aid is open to African students applying to study in United States at the Multiple level, with partial 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: Multiple · applicants for United States
Funding: Partial
Study level: Multiple
Deadline

Key eligibility criteria

International students on F-1 or J-1 visas are eligible. Aid is merit-based and considered during the admission application process.

About the International Student Merit-Based Aid (2026)

## Overview The New School offers merit-based financial aid to international students who are admitted to its programs. This aid is specifically for those studying on an F-1 or J-1 student visa. The consideration for this aid is integrated directly into the admission application process, meaning prospective students do not typically need to submit a separate application to be considered for these funds. The aim of this aid is to help international students manage the costs associated with their education at The New School. ## Benefits The primary benefit of this scholarship is financial assistance, which helps to reduce the overall financial burden of tuition and living expenses for international students. While the exact amount of aid can vary, it is designed to make pursuing an education at The New School more accessible for talented international applicants. The aid is merit-based, recognizing the academic achievements and potential of admitted students. ## Eligibility To be eligible for merit-based aid, applicants must meet the following criteria: * Be an international student. * Intend to study on an F-1 or J-1 student visa. * Apply for admission to an undergraduate or graduate program at The New School. Consideration for merit-based aid is automatically included as part of the admission review process. There is no separate application required for this specific type of aid. ## Required Documents There are no additional documents explicitly stated beyond those required for the general admission application to The New School. As merit-based aid is part of the admission process, the documents provided for admission—such as academic transcripts, essays, letters of recommendation, and standardized test scores (if applicable)—will be used to assess eligibility for merit aid. ## How to Apply Applying for merit-based aid at The New School for international students is straightforward as it is integrated with the university application process: 1. **Apply for admission:** Complete and submit your application to your desired undergraduate or graduate program at The New School. Undergraduate applicants typically use the Common App, while graduate applicants and undergraduate adult learners use the New School Online Application. 2. **Visa Status:** Ensure you are applying as an international student who will require an F-1 or J-1 student visa. 3. **Automatic Consideration:** Merit-based aid consideration is automatically part of the admission review. No separate application or form needs to be submitted specifically for this aid. It is advisable to thoroughly review all admission requirements and submit a strong application to maximize your chances of both admission and merit-based aid. ## Key Dates The page does not specify a separate deadline for merit-based aid applications as it is tied to the admission process. Therefore, applicants should refer to the general admission deadlines for their chosen program at The New School. It is crucial to meet these admission deadlines to be considered for both admission and the accompanying merit-based financial aid. ## Selection Criteria While specific criteria for merit-based aid are not detailed on the provided page, it can be inferred that selection is based on the overall strength of an applicant's profile presented in their admission application. This typically includes: * Academic performance (grades, transcripts) * Standardized test scores (if submitted) * Essays or personal statements demonstrating academic potential and fit with The New School. * Letters of recommendation. * Any other materials submitted as part of the admission application that showcase talent, achievements, and potential. ## Tips * **Strong Admission Application:** Focus on submitting a comprehensive and compelling admission application, as this is the primary basis for merit-based aid consideration. * **Highlight Achievements:** Ensure your application effectively highlights your academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and any leadership experiences. * **Essay Quality:** Craft a well-written and thoughtful essay that showcases your unique voice and reasons for wanting to study at The New School. * **Early Application:** While not explicitly stated, applying earlier in the admission cycle can sometimes be beneficial, though merit aid is tied to the strength of the application. * **Explore External Scholarships:** In addition to university aid, actively search and apply for external scholarships to further supplement your funding. * **Budget Planning:** Develop a preliminary budget for your estimated Cost of Attendance to understand your financial needs, even with potential aid. ## Official Source For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official financial aid page for international students at The New School: [https://www.newschool.edu/financial-aid/international-students/](https://www.newschool.edu/financial-aid/international-students/)

International Student Merit-Based Aid eligibility for United States applicants

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

International students on F-1 or J-1 visas are eligible. Aid is merit-based and considered during the admission application process.

Documents required for the International Student Merit-Based Aid 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
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the International Student Merit-Based Aid 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://www.newschool.edu/financial-aid/international-students/ and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "International students on F-1 or J-1 visas are eligible. Aid is merit-based and considered during the admission application process.". 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://www.newschool.edu/financial-aid/international-students/, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit at least one week before the deadline
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. 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, The New School 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.

International Student Merit-Based Aid deadline & application timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
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 International Student Merit-Based Aid?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Multiple level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by The New School, and be able to relocate to United States for the duration of the programme.

Is the International Student Merit-Based Aid fully funded?+

Funding model: Partial. 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 . 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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