F.A.Q. for International Applicants

Q. Does Penn use the CSS/PROFILE for International Students applying for financial aid? How can I access and submit the form?

A. We do use the CSS/PROFILE form (also known as the International Student Financial Aid Application). For students with internet access, The College Board's CSS/PROFILE should be submitted online at www.collegeboard.com. Penn's CSS code is 2933. If you do not have access to a computer at home, register for a CSS/PROFILE using a computer in your high school or local library. Please also complete and submit the International Certification of Finances Form.

For those who cannot complete the electronic/online form, there are two options:
1) Downloadable PDFs of both the CSS/PROFILE (International Student Financial Aid Application) and the International Certification of Finances can be found on our website. Please download and complete these forms, and fax them to Penn Student Financial Services at +1-215-573-5428.
2) For students with no internet access, please contact us directly at +1-215-898-7507 or at intl@admissions.upenn.edu to have us fax or mail the forms to you.

Q. I am an international student who moved to a U.S. Boarding School in Grade 10 or 11. Which transcripts do you require? Should I submit recommendation letters from my old school?

A. If your current school transcript does not provide the Admissions Office with your actual letter/numerical grades earned at your previous school, the Admissions Office will require copies of both your current school transcript and previous school's transcript. Students should also include certified copies of any national level exams they had taken before moving to a Cambridge "O-Level" Exams, etc. Students must submit a letter of recommendation from their current school counselor, but are welcome to submit an additional letter of recommendation from the counselor/principal in their former school if they feel the letter would provide additional insight into the student's abilities and achievements.

Q. I do not speak English at home. Am I required to take the TOEFL "Test of English as a Foreign Language" exam? Can I substitute my great TOEFL score in place of my weaker SAT verbal score?

A. Penn requires all applicants to submit the results of the SAT Reasoning Test and two (2) SAT Subject Tests, along with the TOEFL exam. However, If a student scores higher than a 650 on the Critical Reading Section of the SAT Reasoning Test, then the student is exempt from taking the TOEFL exam. If a student feels that their verbal/writing scores are not adequate enough, then the student may also want to submit a letter of recommendation from their senior year English teacher commenting on the student's ability to comprehend and write at an advanced level of English. Keep in mind that the TOEFL score supplements the SAT verbal scores but will not serve as a substitute for the SAT verbal scores. Students should bear in mind that Penn faculty will hold all undergraduates to the same expectations regardless of linguistic background

Q. What is the range of TOEFL scores the Penn Admissions Office would expect from an Applicant?

A. On the TOEFL-IBT exam (Internet-Based Test), the minimum score is an 80, but Penn tends to admit students with a score of 100 and above (the exam is scaled from 0-120, with 120 being a perfect score). On the Paper- Based TOEFL, the minimum score is a 550, but Penn tends to admit students with a score of 600 and above (the exam is scaled from 310 to 677, with 677 being a perfect score). On the Computer-Based TOEFL exam, the minimum composite score is 220, but Penn tends to admit students with scores of 260 or above (the exam is scaled from 0-300, with 300 being a perfect score).

****PLEASE NOTE: The Computer-Based TOEFL has been eliminated since it was last administered on September 30, 2006. TOEFL exam scores are only valid for two years.

Q. I usually use a nickname instead of my legal name. Is this okay?

A. We certainly want to know your preferred name, so that we can properly address you as you would like. However, you should always use your legal name when you are filling out your application and sending school transcripts and test scores. Different names can cause confusion and delay in processing your application. When students are admitted, it is the legal name on their passport that is used to secure their U.S. visa. So, any difference between legal name and the name on the application can cause problems securing necessary travel documents.

Q. I am a dual citizen (a citizen of two countries, i.e. United States and Bahamas). Should I note both on my application form? Will it impact my chances of admission if I only list one and not both?

A. Students should disclose all countries that they hold citizenship or residency ties with. This is important information to have so that the selection committee has a better understanding of the student's background. Citizenship has no impact on the chance of admission. It is, however, important to provide full disclosure because: a) the university tracks this information for records purposes and b) Citizenship or residency status may impact the type of financial aid a student may qualify for.

Q. Does Penn have a quota on the number of foreign students they admit each year?

A. No, Penn has no quotas on the number of students admitted from any one particular school, city, or country. All students are considered in the same pool, regardless of citizenship or the school they attend. Penn has the largest percentage of international students of all the Ivy League Schools. As of Fall 2006, 1113 international students represented 96 countries in the undergraduate class (international students are defined as all foreign passport holders that held no citizenship or residency ties to the United States).

Q. How and when do I receive my student visa from Penn?

A. This process begins AFTER a student is offered admission. Admitted students will receive an Entry Document Application Form known as the "I-20" with their online decision notice. Students must complete and return the I-20 application form to Penn's Office of International Programs immediately upon accepting the offer of admission. Once received, the I-20 application form will be processed and approved, and only then is the I-20 mailed to the student. Students then present this document to the United States Consulate in their country of citizenship to receive their F-1 or J-1 student visa.

Q. Where can I find out more about Penn's international involvement?

A. Please visit the Engaging Globally section of the Penn Compact website at http://www.upenn.edu/compact/globally.html.

Q. What type of services does Penn provide to International Students?

A. Penn's Office of International Programs, www.upenn.edu/oip, exclusively serves the needs of the International Student Community. There is also a special International Student Orientation held before the start of new student orientation for all freshmen. The Office of International Programs (OIP) provides services to students and visiting scholars at the University of Pennsylvania. The staff assists with problems related to immigration and employment status, social and personal adjustments to a new culture, and practical matters related to a student's stay in Philadelphia.

Q. I am a foreign citizen but my family is in the process of receiving their "green card" to become permanent residents of the United States. How does this affect my application and how do I inform the Admissions Office of changes in my status during the application cycle?

A. Applicants should always keep the admissions office informed of changes in their citizenship and/or residency status. A student's citizenship and/or residency status may affect the types of financial aid they may qualify for. Students should submit photocopies of all paperwork documenting their status with their admissions applications and with their financial aid application forms. They should also mail us and/or email us with any updates regarding changes in their status. Unless a student meets one of the following designations, they are not eligible for financial aid from the US government:

(This information is subject to change per U.S. government regulations.)

Q. Does Penn have financial aid available for international students?

A. Yes. The University of Pennsylvania has limited need-based financial aid available for students who are not U.S. citizens or bona fide permanent residents of North America. For citizens and permanent residents of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, we maintain a need-blind admissions policy and aid all needy candidates.

Q. I am not a citizen of the United States, Canada, or Mexico. Will applying for financial aid affect my chances of admission?

A. Yes. Students whose families have the means to afford the full cost of attending Penn are strongly urged not to apply for Penn sponsored financial aid. If your family cannot afford the total cost of Penn, then you must apply for financial aid. Please note that you will be in competition for very limited funds. In recent years, we have offered an average of 50 aid awards to admitted freshmen and one or two to admitted international transfer students.

Q. If I apply for financial aid as an international student, will Penn offer me admission without offering a financial aid package?

A. No. Some candidates whom we would like to admit will be turned away because we exhaust our aid budget.

Q. If I apply for financial aid but my family does in fact possess the financial resources to finance my education, will Penn reconsider or reevaluate my admission application if I am not admitted?

A. No. We cannot reevaluate your case once a final decision has been made based upon the information you provided in your application. This is the only way to ensure fairness in the selection process.

Q. What types of financial aid does Penn provide?

A. All financial assistance is based upon the student's evaluated financial need. Penn guarantees to meet 100% of this need with financial aid packages that normally consist of a combination of university grants (money which does not need to be repaid), long-term student loans from the university, and/or options for on-campus employment. Students who receive financial aid are assured of continued support throughout their undergraduate program if they continue to demonstrate need.

Q. How do you determine financial need?

A. Your financial need is calculated by subtracting your expected family contribution from the Educational Expense Budget (the sum of tuition and fees, room, meals, books, and an allowance for personal expenses). Note that the cost of a Penn education and a candidate's financial need is calculated in U.S. dollars.

Q. When do I apply for financial aid?

A. You should apply by the deadline listed on the Financial Aid Checklist for International Students. An early application will ensure notification about your financial assistance with your letter of admission and will also ensure the University financial aid funds are not exhausted.

Q. May I apply for financial aid at any time during my undergraduate career?

A. No. It is only possible to apply for financial aid during the initial admissions process. If you foresee a need for financial aid at some point during your undergraduate career, you must apply for it as an incoming freshman or transfer applicant.

Q. May I apply for financial aid as an Early Decision applicant?

A. Yes. We consider international applicants for financial aid under both our Early and Regular Decision programs, as well for transfer students.

Q. What forms do I need to complete to apply for financial aid?

A. A financial aid checklist and corresponding forms are included in this packet and are also available at the Student Financial Services website at http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/finaid-checklists/checklists-pro-international-regular.htm.

Note: If your parents live and work in the U.S. and file a U.S. tax return, you need to submit a College Board CSS/PROFILE (International Student Financial Aid Application). You must also submit U.S. tax returns and W2s. See the checklist for U.S. Citizens at www.sfs.upenn.edu for a list of required forms. Note that you do not need to file FAFSA.

Q. Where can I find additional information about financial aid at Penn?

A. Visit the Paying for a Penn Education section of the Student Financial Services website at www.sfs.upenn.edu.