Prospective and New Students
Claremont McKenna College (CMC) is committed to making the admission process fair and accessible for all families. CMC practices need-blind admission for all U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents, meaning a family’s financial strength is not considered when the admission decision is made. CMC welcomes applications from families across all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Families who anticipate needing financial assistance are encouraged to apply for Financial Aid as part of the admission process. Students who do not apply for, or who do not receive need-based Financial Aid upon admission, may not be eligible to receive Financial Aid in future years of enrollment. Financial Aid eligibility is reviewed annually and is based on the family’s demonstrated financial need and the availability of institutional funds.
Please Note: Merit-based scholarships are awarded separately by the Office of Admission, not the Office of Financial Aid. For additional information, families are encouraged to visit the CMC Merit-Based Scholarships page or contact the Office of Admission directly.
How to Apply
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The FAFSA is required for students seeking Federal Student Aid and most state-based aid programs.
CSS Profile (Required for Need-Based Institutional Aid)
CMC requires students applying for need-based institutional Financial Aid to submit the CSS profile. Similar to the FAFSA, the CSS Profile collects Federal tax information.
- Students with divorced or separated parents must have both parents complete the CSS Profile.
- If your custodial parent has remarried, all step-parent income and asset information must be included.
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Additional Documentation (IDOC)
Additional information – such as parent and student Federal tax documents or other supporting materials – may be requested through CollegeBoard’s Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC).
Cal Grant (California Residents Only)
All California residents must submit the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to be considered for a Cal Grant.
Submission deadlines for all required applications and documents vary based on your admission status. For specific deadlines for Early Decision (ED) or Regular Decision (RD) please visit the Deadlines page.
Students who meet the requirements for California AB540 are encouraged to apply for Financial Aid at CMC through the California Dream Act Application. Undocumented students without a valid U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) who complete the Dream Act Application may be eligible for state-based Financial Aid, including the Cal Grant, as well as the CMC College Grant.
CMC is committed to making college affordable for all students. The Office of Financial Aid does not package loans for students who qualify under California AB540.
For more information, please visit the California Dream Act webpage or contact the Office of Financial Aid directly.
Students who do not apply for, or who do not receive need-based Financial Aid upon admission, may not be eligible to receive Financial Aid in future years of enrollment. Financial Aid eligibility is reviewed annually and is based on the family’s demonstrated financial need and the availability of institutional funds.
Please Note: Merit-based scholarships are awarded separately by the Office of Admission, not the Office of Financial Aid. For additional information, families are encouraged to visit the CMC Merit-Based Scholarships page or contact the Office of Admission directly.
How to Apply
- CSS Profile (Required for Need-Based Institutional Aid)
CMC requires students applying for need-based institutional Financial Aid to submit the CSS profile. The CSS Profile collects Income tax information.
- Students with divorced or separated parents must have both parents complete a CSS Profile.
- If your custodial parent has remarried, all step-parent income and asset information must be included.
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.
- Dream Act (California Residents Only)
All California residents must submit the Dream Act Application
- Additional Documentation (IDOC)
Additional information – such as parent and student Federal tax documents or other supporting materials – may be requested through CollegeBoard’s Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC).
Submission deadlines for all required applications and documents vary based on your admission status. For specific deadlines for Early Decision (ED) or Regular Decision (RD)please visit the Deadlines page.
Claremont McKenna College (CMC) is need-aware in its admission process for all international students (non-U.S. Citizens and non-U.S. Permanent Residents). This means an applicant’s financial need may be considered as part of the admission decision. If admitted, CMC is committed to meeting demonstrated need as determined at the time of admission. Financial Aid packages typically consists of a combination of grants, scholarships, work opportunities, and loans.
International students who do not apply for or receive need-based Financial Aid upon admission are not eligible to be considered for Institutional Financial Aid in subsequent years while enrolled at CMC.
Financial Aid awards for all international students will automatically be renewed for up to eight (8) semesters, provided students remain enrolled full-time and make Satisfactory Academic Progress toward their degree requirements. Financial Aid packages are entirely based on the information provided on the CMC Financial Aid Form for International Students. It is essential that the information submitted in the CMC Financial Aid Form for International Students is truthful, complete, and realistic, as it determines the family contribution for all four (4) years of enrollment.
Returning students are not required to reapply annually for Financial Aid. Once Financial Aid awards are accepted at the time of admission, appeals or adjustments will not be considered.
Because funding is limited, late applications cannot be considered.
How to Apply
- Indicate on your admission application that you are applying for Financial Aid
- Submit the CMC Financial Aid Form for International Students, which will be available in your CMC Applicant Portal after you submit your admission application*
*Your application for admission will not be reviewed without a completed CMC Financial Aid Form for International Students
Prior to making your admission decision:
If revisions to the CMC Financial Aid Form for International Students are necessary, contact the Office of Admission (admission@cmc.edu) immediately to provide the updated information.
Please Note:
- CMC does not accept the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) or the CSS Profile for International applicants
- CMC does not provide Fee Waivers for the CSS Profile
Submission deadlines for all required applications and documents vary based on your admission status. For specific deadlines for Early Decision (ED) or Regular Decision (RD)please visit the Deadlines page.
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. CMC does not offer merit-based scholarships to any transfer applicants.
Eligibility for need-based federal or institutional aid is limited to U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or eligible non-U.S. citizens, and undocumented students/DACA applicants.
No need-based financial aid is available to international transfer applicants. Financial aid applications from international transfer applicants will not be accepted as CMC does not provide need-based aid or merit scholarships for these applicants.