Karsh International Scholars
Merit + needCollege programTuition + housing
Financial need is part of how this award is decided, alongside merit.
- Award
- Tuition, room, board, mandatory fees, demonstrated need exceeding those costs, and three summers of research/internship funding. University merit guidance supports four years, subject to award-specific academic qualifications; summer funding limits and specific renewal conditions are not published.
- Timeline
- Nov 2, 2026Fall 2027 Duke Early Decision application and CSS Profile: on the current admission checklist
- Jan 4, 2027Regular Decision application and aid forms February 1, 2027. An older Duke financial-support page still says November 3 for ED aid, so verify the exact aid deadline in the applicant portal.
- How to apply
- Apply to Duke, select financial-aid interest, and submit the required CSS Profile and any requested income/tax documentation. No separate Karsh application. Admission requires the main application and essays, transcript, secondary-school report with counselor recommendation, and two teacher recommendations. SAT/ACT scores and admission interviews are optional. International aid applicants must follow their aid checklist.
- What you'll need
- Recommendations
- An essay
- Who can apply
- International first-year applicants with demonstrated financial need and strong academic/civic engagement. Citizens of countries outside the U.S. may be considered, but dual U.S./foreign citizens and applicants who already have a bachelor’s degree are excluded. International transfer students are not eligible for merit or need aid.
- Good to know
- Karsh requires international first-year applicants to request financial aid with Duke admission; there is no separate Karsh application. Current 2026-27 admission checklist says ED aid forms November 2, while an older aid page still says November 3. Summer funding is a defined benefit, but its dollar limit and Karsh-specific renewal conditions are not published.
- Details
- Need requiredTest optional