Prospective and New Students

Claremont McKenna College practices a need-blind admissions policy, which applies to all U.S. citizens and permanent residents, meaning that a family's financial need will not negatively influence the student's admission decision. The policy encourages U.S. citizens and permanent residents from all socioeconomic backgrounds to apply for admission to CMC.

Additionally, CMC is fully committed to meeting 100% of a student’s demonstrated financial need.

Any student who needs financial assistance is encouraged to apply for financial aid at CMC. Students who do not apply for or do not receive need-based financial aid upon admission are not guaranteed they will receive financial aid or be considered for financial aid in future years while enrolled at CMC. Each year financial aid consideration will be determined based on the student’s financial need and the availability of funds.

Please note that merit-based scholarships are not awarded based on financial aid and are determined by the Office of Admission. For more information, please visit CMC merit-based scholarships or contact the Office of Admission.

How to Apply

1. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for students that are seeking all federal aid and most state aid. Due to FAFSA Simplification, the FAFSA will not open until December 2023.
2. CMC requires all students seeking need-based institutional financial aid to submit the CSS Profile application. Similar to the FAFSA, CSS Profile will ask for federal income tax documents. If you are a student with divorced or separated parents both parents will need to complete their own CSS Profile Application (Determine who is your custodial and non-custodial parent). If your parents have remarried, be sure to include all stepparent income and asset information. Please contact the office if you need more information regarding non-custodial parents. 
3. Additional information such as parents’ and students’ federal income tax returns and other supporting documentation may be requested via the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC).
4. California residents must submit the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).

The deadlines to submit the required applications and documents vary depending on which Early Decision or Regular Decision round you are applying for admission to CMC. For more information about specific financial aid deadlines, please visit Applications & Deadlines.

All students who need financial assistance is encouraged to apply for financial aid at CMC. Through the California Dream Act, undocumented students without SSNs who have completed the Dream application are allowed to apply for and receive state-administered financial aid (Cal Grant) as well as CMC College Grant. CMC is fully committed to meeting 100% of all students’ demonstrated financial need.

Please visit California Dream Act or contact our office for more information.

Students who do not apply for or do not receive financial aid upon admission are not guaranteed they will receive financial aid or be considered for financial aid in future years while enrolled at CMC. Each year financial aid consideration will be determined based on the student’s financial need and the availability of funds.

Please note that merit-based scholarships are awarded by the Office of Admission. For more information, please visit CMC merit-based scholarships or contact the Office of Admission.

How to Apply

1. CMC requires all students seeking need-based institutional financial aid to submit the CSS Profile application.
2. California residents must submit the California Dream Act application.
3. Additional information such as parents’ and students’ federal income tax returns and other supporting documentation may be requested via the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC).

The deadlines to submit the required applications and documents vary depending on which Early Decision or Regular Decision round you are applying for admission to CMC. For more information about specific financial aid deadlines, please visit Applications & Deadlines.

CMC is need-sensitive in its admission process for all international students (non-U.S. citizens and non-U.S. permanent residents), meaning financial need may influence a student’s admission decision. However, if admitted, CMC remains committed to meeting 100% of the students’ determined need. International students who need financial assistance must apply for financial aid at the time of admission by the published deadlines as only a limited amount of funding is available.

Students who do not apply for or do not receive financial aid upon admission will not receive financial aid or be considered for financial aid in future years while enrolled at CMC. Financial aid for international students is only awarded at the time of admission.

For all international students entering CMC 2022-23 and after, financial aid awards will be automatically renewed each year for up to 8 semesters as long as students are enrolled full-time and make Satisfactory Academic Progress toward their degree. (Transfer students will receive up to 8 semesters depending on the number of credits transferred prior to matriculation.) Returning international students will not be required to re-apply for financial aid each year as their financial aid awards will remain constant at the time of admission. No appeals or adjustments will be considered once your awards are accepted upon admission.

Please note that merit-based scholarships are awarded by the Office of Admission. For more information, please visit CMC merit-based scholarships or contact the Office of Admission.

How to Apply

1. CMC requires all students seeking need-based institutional financial aid to submit the CSS Profile application.
2. Additional information such as parents’ and students’ federal income tax returns and other supporting documentation may be requested via the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC).

The deadlines to submit the required application and documents vary depending on which Early Decision or Regular Decision round you are applying for admission to CMC. For more information about specific financial aid deadlines, please visit Applications & Deadlines.

Financial aid eligibility for transfer students is the same for all U.S. citizens or permanent residents, DACA/undocumented students, or international students. Please refer to the tabs above for more information.

CMC is need-sensitive in its admission process for all transfer students, meaning financial need may influence a student’s admission decision. However, if admitted, CMC remains committed to meeting 100% of the students’ demonstrated need.