Simmons University Scholarships: A Guide for International Students

Simmons University, located in Boston, Massachusetts, welcomes international students from over 30 countries into its diverse campus community. Recognizing the financial challenges that international students may face, Simmons University offers a variety of scholarship opportunities to help make education more accessible. While international students are not eligible for need-based aid, they are eligible for merit-based scholarships. It is important to note that opportunities to receive a full scholarship at Simmons are extremely limited.

Merit-Based Scholarships for First-Year International Students

First-year international students are automatically considered for merit scholarships upon application. These scholarships range from $16,000 to $30,000 per year and are renewable for all four years. These scholarships are awarded through the Admissions process and do not require a separate application. Decisions are based on academic performance, achievement in leadership, community service, co-curricular activities, and other talents. Renewal is contingent upon meeting specific requirements summarized under 'Eligibility' for each award.

These include the Leadership Scholarship, Trustee Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship, Provost Scholarship, Dean’s Scholarship, Director’s Scholarship, and Achievement Scholarship.

Simmons Distinguished Scholar Award

First year students applying for the fall semester, including international applicants, are eligible to apply for the Simmons Distinguished Scholar Award. This is a highly prestigious and competitive award offered each year. These students showcase high academic achievement and have an impressive track record of community engagement and leadership.

The Simmons Distinguished Scholar Award is a full scholarship, covering tuition, room, and board. This prestigious and competitive Simmons scholarship is offered to students with exceptional academic achievements, a strong commitment to their community, and a passion for creating positive change in society. Scholars become part of a dynamic campus community that offers a multitude of opportunities for personal and intellectual growth, cultural exploration, and social engagement. This scholarship covers full tuition, mandatory fees (except health insurance), room & board for four years, and supersedes any previous merit scholarship.

Eligibility Criteria for the Simmons Distinguished Scholar Award

Students applying for the Simmons Distinguished Scholar Award must meet the following criteria:

Apply as a first-year student for the fall semester
A minimum GPA of 3.50
A record of taking college prep, AP, honors, or IB Courses
English Proficiency is required for non-native English speakers.
Standardized test scores (optional) of 28+ ACT or 1300+ SAT
Community Involvement: Applicants should showcase a history of active engagement in their community through volunteer work, leadership roles, or other forms.
Passion for the Field: Applicants should demonstrate a passion for their chosen field of study. This passion should be evident in their academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and resume.

Students who meet the criteria above are often also interested in the Honors Program at Simmons.

Application Process for the Simmons Distinguished Scholar Award

The application consists of a formal essay in response to the essay prompt. Each page of the document should include the student's full name and date of birth.

Essay Prompt:

Formal Essay (of no more than 300-500 words): Write an essay in which you describe your leadership style, giving specific examples to show what kinds of experiences have crafted you as a leader, and what kind of leader you think you will become at Simmons.

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Application Deadline

Applicants must complete and submit their Simmons Distinguished Scholar essay and their admission application to the University by December 1. Finalists for scholarship consideration will be notified by the end of January and will be required to complete an interview in February.

Scholarships for Transfer Students

Transfer students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships when they apply to Simmons. These do not require a separate application and are part of the admission process. The scholarships range from $10,000 to $20,000 per year.

Transfer students and Dix Scholars who are members of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society receive a Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship of $2,000 per year, renewable for four years. Both transfer students and adult students (students over 24) are considered for this scholarship.

Scholarships for Dix Scholars (Adult Students)

Dix scholars are automatically considered for the Dorothea Lynde Dix Scholarship when they apply to Simmons. They do not require a separate application and are part of the admission process. (This scholarship is up to $10,000 for the first four consecutive semesters of enrollment).

Additional Scholarships

Children, grandchildren and siblings of Simmons graduates automatically qualify to receive an Alumnae Scholarship of $2,000 per year, renewable for four years. No separate application is required.

Scholarships Not Available to International Students

International students are not eligible for the Boston Scholarship. This scholarship is for domestic applicants who attend Boston Public or Charter schools.

Accelerated Programs

Accelerated Programs-including our 3+1 Masters in Public Policy, 3+1 Masters in Library Science, 3+1 Masters in Social Work, 3+1 Masters in Public Health, and 3+2 Engineering Dual Degrees-are not scholarships. While the accelerated timelines of these programs offer numerous financial benefits, students do not receive additional funding for these programs outside of our merit scholarships.

Applying as an International Student

Simmons welcomes international students in need of an F-1 visa for most graduate programs at Simmons.

Application Materials for First-Year International Students

If you are applying directly from a high school outside of the United States with less than 17 University credits and are less than 24 years old, you must apply as a first year international student. To apply as a first year international student, please submit the following materials:

The Common Application-please refer to the Common App Ready Toolkit for helpful instructions and advice about completing your Common Application.
Personal Essay-the personal essay is a tool for you to give us insight about yourself that might not otherwise be communicated in your application. We are looking for a thoughtful, well-written essay no longer than a page.
Two letters of recommendation: We require one letter from a teacher and one from a counselor, advisor, or headmaster. Recommendations from family members or friends will not be accepted. Letters of recommendations from employers, coaches, or other mentors are optional-we will still need at least one academic letter of recommendation. Recommendations must be submitted by the recommender.
grading equivalencies.
An English translation of all transcripts that are not in English is required.
Depending on which country you are applying from, we will need to see at least 2-3 years of secondary coursework with final or in progress grades, depending on your graduation date. Final exam scores alone will be considered supplementary materials and will not count as an official transcript. For example, WACES scores and Cambridge Assessment scores are NOT transcripts and will not be counted as such. Contact your admission counselor with questions.
Evaluations for secondary school transcripts are recommended, but not required. Applicants can use WES, CED, or TEC, formerly known as SpanTran. Self submitted transcripts will not be accepted, and any transcripts sent by you, your friends, or your family will not be considered.
English Proficiency Test Scores: If English is not the language of instruction at your school, you may need to submit official English proficiency scores.

Application Materials for International Transfer Students

Simmons considers students who are applying with more than 17 University credits and who are less than 24 years old to be transfer applicants. To apply as an international transfer student you will need the submit following materials:

The Common Application-please refer to the Common App Ready Toolkit for helpful instructions and advice about completing your Common Application.
Personal Essay-the personal essay is a tool for you to give us insight about yourself that might not otherwise be communicated in your application. We are looking for a thoughtful, well-written essay no longer than a page.
One letter of recommendation: We require one academic letter of recommendation, preferably from an academic advisor or faculty member at your current or most recent institution. Recommendations from family members or friends will not be accepted. Letters of recommendations from employers, coaches, or other mentors are optional-we will still need at least one academic letter of recommendation. Recommendations cannot be self submitted-have them sent directly from your recommender. Recommendations must be submitted by the recommender.
grading equivalencies.
An English translation of all transcripts that are not in English is required.
Depending on which country you are applying from, we will need to see at least 2-3 years of secondary coursework with final or in progress grades. Final exam scores will be considered supplementary materials and will not count as an official transcript. For example, WACES scores and Cambridge Assessment scores are NOT transcripts and will not be counted as such. Contact your admission counselor with questions.
Evaluations for secondary school transcripts are recommended, but not required. grading equivalencies. An English translation of all transcripts that are not in English is required.
University and/or college transcripts must be evaluated by a third party if coming from an institution overseas: any NACES approved member will work; many of our students have found success through WES, CED, or The Evaluation Company.
English Proficiency Test Scores: If English is not the language of instruction at your school, you may need to submit official English proficiency scores.

Application Materials for Adult International Students (Dix Scholars)

Simmons considers students who are over the age of 24 and/or have already received a bachelor’s degree to be Dix Scholars, or adult students. To apply as an adult international student you will need the submit following materials:

The Common Application-please refer to the Common App Ready Toolkit for helpful instructions and advice about completing your Common Application.
Personal Essay-the personal essay is a tool for you to give us insight about yourself that might not otherwise be communicated in your application. We are looking for a thoughtful, well-written essay no longer than a page.
One letter of recommendation: We require one academic letter of recommendation, preferably from an academic advisor or faculty member at your current or most recent institution. Recommendations from family members or friends will not be accepted. Letters of recommendations from employers, coaches, or other mentors are optional-we will still need at least one academic letter of recommendation. Recommendations cannot be self submitted-have them sent directly from your recommender. Recommendations must be submitted by the recommender.
grading equivalencies.
An English translation of all transcripts that are not in English is required.
Depending on which country you are applying from, we will need to see at least 2-3 years of secondary coursework with final or in progress grades. Final exam scores will be considered supplementary materials and will not count as an official transcript. For example, WACES scores and Cambridge Assessment scores are NOT transcripts and will not be counted as such. Contact your admission counselor with questions.
Evaluations for secondary school transcripts are recommended, but not required. grading equivalencies. An English translation of all transcripts that are not in English is required.
University and/or college transcripts must be evaluated by a third party if coming from an institution overseas: any NACES approved member will work; many of our students have found success through WES, CED, or The Evaluation Company.
English Proficiency Test Scores: If English is not the language of instruction at your school, you may need to submit official English proficiency scores.

Optional Application Materials

SAT or ACT Test Scores: Simmons is test optional and therefore does not require SAT or ACT test results for admission or scholarship consideration.

Visits and Interviews: The Admission Committee understands that many international students are unable to travel to the United States for college visits and interviews. Those who are unable to visit will not be at a disadvantage in the admission process. Interviews are recommended, but not required-they allow you to demonstrate your English language skills beyond a test score and provide additional evidence of communication and critical thinking skills.

English Proficiency

If English is not your first language, you must submit official English language test scores taken within two years of the application deadline. Accepted tests include the TOEFL, Duolingo English Test, Pearson Test of English, and IELTS. Other English proficiency exams may be considered on a case-by-case basis. This requirement is based on first language, not citizenship.

You do not need to submit an English proficiency exam if you graduated from an institution where English was the language of instruction, or you earned a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited US institution. If you are unsure whether you qualify for a waiver, contact the admission office.

You must submit official scores. We do not accept copies of your score reports.

Minimum Recommended Scores

When fulfilling the English Language Proficiency exam requirement, you must meet the following minimum requirements. Please plan well in advance of the application deadline, as official scores can take several weeks to arrive.

The TOEFL code is 3761. The minimum recommended score range for the TOEFL iBT (internet-based) taken before January 21, 2026 is at least 100-105. For TOEFL exams taken on or after January 21, 2026, the recommended score range is at least 5.
The minimum recommended score range for the IELTS is highly recommended to be at least 7.0.
The minimum recommended score for the Duolingo exam is highly recommended to be at least 115.

If you have concerns about meeting these scores, contact the respective admission office. If your scores are below the recommended range, you are still encouraged to apply. Your application will be assessed based on a holistic review. The School of Library and Information Science - through our partnership with Yonsei University - may have different requirements.

Tuition and Funding Sources for International Graduate Students

Costs vary by program. Before applying, review the general application requirements below. Refer to How to Apply for additional details about your intended program’s application. For some programs, you may need to submit additional materials, such as licensure verification or writing samples. All programs require:

Complete application form
Personal statement
Current resume/CV
Letters of recommendation
Official university transcripts from all institutions attended, whether or not a degree was earned. Note: If you have international transcripts, they must be evaluated by a NACES-accredited evaluator (see the Transcript Requirements section for additional details).
An English Proficiency Exam, if applicable (see the Standardized Test Requirements section for additional details). Note: In the United States, academic records or mark sheets are called transcripts. You do not need to submit academic records from secondary schools (high schools in the US) for your graduate application. Courses taken at the secondary level do not meet prerequisite requirements for graduate programs.

In the US, a baccalaureate refers to a first university degree. If you earned a degree abroad, you must submit a credential evaluation with your official transcript (marks sheet) in the original language. If the evaluation service confirms they received an official transcript, you do not need to submit a separate one.

Your evaluation must include grades (marks) for each course, not just final exam results or a copy of your degree. Additionally, your educational documents should clearly show the degree awarded and the date it was earned. Your post-secondary institution must be recognized by the Ministry of Education in its country. All transcript evaluations must be in English and include US equivalencies, including a course-by-course evaluation with grades. The evaluation also should include a copy of your official transcript.

If you have earned a graduate degree from a US Institution (master’s degree or PhD), you may not need to submit all of these requirements.

Planning Ahead for Finances

While you are not required to submit financial documentation for admission consideration, it’s important to plan ahead.

If you are admitted to the program, you will need to complete and submit the International Student Supplement Form (ISSF) electronically within the admitted student portal. We cannot send registration information to you nor issue the I-20 student visa application until you have uploaded your ISSF indicating the source of funds you will use to meet your living and tuition expenses.

Please arrange with your bank, sponsor, and/or government to send an official statement indicating that you have sufficient funds in a bank for these educational expenses and/or that your tuition and expenses will be paid by your sponsor(s) or government. We ask that you apply to the program only if you are reasonably sure you can meet the financial obligations.

F-1 Visa Eligibility

If you are an international student applying to graduate certificate programs such as the stand-alone Dietetic Internship (DI), the stand-alone Certificate in Sports Nutrition (CSN), and the post-master’s Library and Information Science certificates, you are not eligible for an F-1 visa.

If you are looking to enroll in an online program, you must contact the respective admission office to determine eligibility.

If you are enrolling in a combination master’s degree and certificate program, you should be eligible to apply for an F-1 visa.

Experiential Learning Requirement and Curricular Practical Training/Optional Practical Training

All students enrolled in the MS/EdS in Behavior Analysis program must fulfill an Experiential Learning coursework requirement (i.e., Practicum), which takes place in semesters 4 and 5. To do so, you must be employed in a behavior analytic role, working a minimum of 20 hours per month, for a total of 90 hours across the two Practicum courses. Due to this requirement, as an international student, you must apply for and receive Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Authorization from the advisor at the Center for Global Education at Simmons University.

Please note that the number of CPT Authorized hours you must complete for Practicum courses will not affect your eligibility to apply for post-graduation Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorization.

Outside Scholarships

If you are looking for outside scholarships to help reduce cost, we would encourage you to reach out to your high school guidance office to first learn about any local scholarships you might be eligible for. We have compiled a list of free outside scholarship searches that may help you find additional resources to apply to your cost of attendance.

Career One Stop
The College Board
Fastweb
FinAid
HRSA - Health Resources and Services Administration
Pathways to Science
Scholarships.com

We strongly advise you NOT to pay any scholarship search firm.

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