United States
St. Olaf College
Funding
St. Olaf offers need-based aid and merit scholarships to international students, but states a substantial funding gap may remain for non-UWC students. NON-UWC candidates can receive up to 100% of TUITION in St. Olaf grants and merit funding, while roughly USD 15,000 of housing and meal expenses can remain uncovered; student work and loans may help but do not normally pay the full balance. UWC students with additional Davis Foundation support may receive up to the tuition/housing/meal comprehensive fee. Institutional international loans can be up to USD 4,000 annually with interest; this is generally NOT a full-ride option for a non-UWC family able to contribute almost nothing.
Eligibility
Selectivity context: Selective. Bangladeshi international first-year applicants can apply through St. Olaf admission process. All degree-seeking international applicants are automatically considered for institutional academic merit awards; fine arts merit awards require an additional application. For institutional need-based aid, international students can submit EITHER 2027–28 CSS Profile (code 6638) OR free ISFAA OR free International ACAC application; St. Olaf does NOT provide international CSS fee waivers. Parents' financial information may be required even if divorced/separated. Cost planning must include health insurance, travel, and possible room/meal gaps.
Deadlines
Fall 2027 first-year admission and international financial aid due: ED I and Early Action November 1, 2026; ED II and Regular Decision January 15, 2027. CSS Profile/ISFAA/Intl ACAC or merit fine arts supplemental material by corresponding deadline. Check the current applicant portal for additional items.
What St. Olaf 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. 6 details still being checked.
Rounds and deadlines
| Round | Application | Financial aid | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision 1binding | 1 Nov 2026 | 1 Nov 2026 | Early December (aid notification mid-December) |
| Early Action | 1 Nov 2026 | 1 Nov 2026 | Late December (aid notification early January) |
| Early Decision 2binding | 15 Jan 2027 | 15 Jan 2027 | Early February |
| Regular Decision | 15 Jan 2027 | 15 Jan 2027 | Late February (aid notification mid-March) |
Essays and short answers
No college-specific essays found — only the Common App personal statement.
Testing
- SAT/ACT optional
- English tests: TOEFL, IELTS Academic, Duolingo English Test (IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL 90 · DET 120)
- Waived automatically if English is first language or primary language of instruction. (Another admissions FAQ page says only TOEFL or IELTS and no minimums; the international checklist lists DET and minimums.)
Recommendations · Interview
- 1 teacher
- Interview: Optional
- Application fee: not confirmed · Apply through Common App, Coalition App with Scoir
Financial aid for international students
- Need-blind or need-aware: not stated
- ✕ Does not meet full need for most international students
- Forms: CSS Profile, ISFAA, or Intl ACAC (any one), International Student Certification of Finances
- Documents: Financial aid form (CSS Profile, ISFAA or Intl ACAC); Both biological parents' financial information if parents are separated/divorced/never married
- CSS Profile code: 6638
Not stated whether admission is need-blind and whether full need is met. Page says non-UWC applicants' grants and merit can cover up to 100% of tuition but roughly $15,000 of room and board remains uncovered (loan up to $4,000/yr at 5.0% and campus work about $3,500/yr may help); UWC graduates may reach 100% of the comprehensive fee with Davis funding. International merit scholarships range $5,000 to $81,200. Health insurance about $1,000 per year for students with need. meets_full_need_international set false because the official page says about $15,000 of costs remain uncovered for non-UWC students.
Official pages used
- wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/apply/checklist-and-deadlines/
- wp.stolaf.edu/financialaid/how-to-apply-for-financial-aid-international/
- wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/apply/what-we-look-for/
- wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/apply_old-2025/how-to-find-the-st-olaf-supplement-to-the-common-application/
- wp.stolaf.edu/international-applications/checklist/
- wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/apply/faqs/
- wp.stolaf.edu/international-applications/timeline/