Need-blind admission simply means that applicants' ability to pay for their education will not be a determining factor in the admission decision. Need-aware admission means that we will examine a student's financial need at the time of admission.

U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States, undocumented, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and international students who are applying to enter in the fall of 2025 will be considered on a need-blind basis and the University will meet 100% of their demonstrated financial need.

Transfer applicants and students admitted prior to the fall of 2025 will remain under the need-aware aid policy, regardless of when they entered or when they will graduate. In other words, international students will fall under the admission policy that was in effect when they initially applied to Brown and will remain under that policy throughout their time at Brown. Those admitted under the need-aware policy will not be eligible to apply for aid in future years if they did not apply for and receive scholarship at their time of admission. For example, if an international student applied to Brown with the Class of 2028 but deferred to the Class of 2029, their aid eligibility would be determined based on the Class of 2028 (need-aware) because that is when they initially applied and were admitted.