United States
Grinnell College
Funding
Grinnell commits to meet 100% of institutionally assessed demonstrated financial need for admitted international first-year students who apply for aid by the published deadline, typically with grants and student work. Need-based funds are competitive and financial contributions are assessed individually, so a zero-cost full ride is not automatic. International applicants may also be considered for competitive merit scholarships; no separate merit application. Financial aid cannot first be requested after admission or in later years.
Eligibility
Selectivity context: Highly selective. Bangladeshi first-year applicants may use Common App; Grinnell does not charge an application fee. SAT/ACT is optional. An official TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo test is required for international applicants whose native language and/or primary instructional language is not English. Applicants with Bangladesh HSC may be required to submit verified external exam results. For institutional aid, international applicants submit EITHER 2027-28 CSS Profile OR Grinnell online ISAFA through applicant portal; Grinnell offers no CSS Profile fee waivers, and does not accept an emailed/PDF copy of its ISAFA. Do not send Certification of Finances unless specifically requested.
Deadlines
Fall 2027 admissions AND financial aid forms: ED I November 15, 2026; ED II January 5, 2027; Regular Decision January 15, 2027. International application will not be considered complete until CSS or portal ISAFA is submitted by the same deadline as admission. Submit external school records and required English tests as instructed in your Grinnell portal.
What Grinnell College needs for Fall 2027
Draft research from official pages (checked 14 Nov 2026). Not yet verified by a bdesh editor — confirm every date and prompt on the official page. 4 details still being checked.
Rounds and deadlines
| Round | Application | Financial aid | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision Ibinding | 15 Nov 2026 | 15 Nov 2026 | mid-late December |
| Early Decision IIbinding | 5 Jan 2027 | 5 Jan 2027 | early February |
| Regular Decision | 15 Jan 2027 | 15 Jan 2027 | late March/early April |
Essays and short answers
Optional450 words
Grinnell’s core values include supporting a diverse community that is respectful, egalitarian, and committed to the common good. How might your background, respect for the lived experiences of others, and/or eagerness to be exposed to new perspectives equip you to thrive at Grinnell and serve the common good?
all; submitted via Grinnell online application portal after the Common App/QuestBridge application
Testing
- SAT/ACT optional
- English tests: IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo English Test
- English proficiency report required if native language is not English and/or the high school's primary language of instruction was not English; waiver conditions beyond that not stated.
Recommendations · Interview
- counselor + 2 teacher
- Interview: Optional
- Application fee: No fee · Apply through Common App, QuestBridge
Financial aid for international students
- Need-aware for international applicants
- ✓ Meets full demonstrated need
- Forms: 2027–28 CSS Profile, Grinnell International Student Application for Financial Assistance
- Documents: Either the CSS Profile or Grinnell's International Student Application for Financial Assistance; Do not send unrequested documents, including the Certification of Finances; financial documents cannot be sent by email
Grinnell is need-aware for international students and commits to meeting 100% of institutionally determined need for admitted international students who complete the aid application by the deadline. Aid cannot be requested in later years if not requested in the first year. Applicants not seeking aid indicate this on the Common App.