The Caltech Scholarships 2027 support international students pursuing undergraduate and PhD programmes at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, United States. At the undergraduate level, Caltech provides need-based scholarships and commits to meeting 100% of the demonstrated financial need of admitted students who apply for aid, although international admission is need-aware. At the graduate level, all incoming PhD students are offered a financial support package covering tuition and mandatory fees together with a monthly stipend, with the current PhD stipend set at US$50,000 per year from September 2026. Undergraduate students apply for financial aid alongside their admission application, while PhD students are normally considered for full funding automatically through the graduate admission process. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about the Caltech Scholarships, including its benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
The main funding opportunities covered in this guide are:
- Caltech Undergraduate Need-Based Scholarships
- Caltech PhD Financial Support
Caltech does not offer general undergraduate merit scholarships. Its institutional undergraduate scholarships are awarded according to financial need. Graduate funding is strongest for PhD students; a small number of terminal master’s students may be admitted without financial aid.
Caltech Scholarships Summary
- Level of Study: Undergraduate / PhD
- Institution: California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
- Study Destination: Pasadena, California, United States
- Undergraduate Program Period: Four years
- PhD Program Period: Varies by programme
Caltech is particularly focused on science, engineering, mathematics, technology, and research-intensive disciplines. Undergraduate students can study fields ranging from physics, chemistry and biology to computer science, engineering, mathematics, economics and related areas, while doctoral programmes span Caltech’s academic divisions and research centres.
Application Deadline
Caltech has published the Fall 2027 undergraduate admission deadlines:
| Application Route | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Restrictive Early Action | November 1, 2026 |
| Regular Decision | January 4, 2027 |
Restrictive Early Action applicants generally receive admission decisions in mid-December, while Regular Decision applicants receive decisions around mid-March. Caltech has not yet published the complete Fall 2027 international financial-aid timeline and states that the financial-aid logistics will be posted later. International students seeking aid should therefore monitor the official financial aid page after submitting their admission application.
Graduate applications generally close between December 1 and December 15, depending on the programme. Caltech does not use one common graduate deadline, so PhD applicants should check the exact date for their selected academic option.
Caltech Scholarship Coverage
Caltech Undergraduate Need-Based Scholarships
Caltech meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students who apply for financial aid. The amount of the Caltech Scholarship therefore varies according to each student’s family financial circumstances.
Financial aid may help cover:
- Tuition
- Mandatory fees
- Housing
- Food
- Books and supplies
- Personal expenses
- Other approved costs included in the student’s cost of attendance
Caltech Scholarships are institutional gifts and do not need to be repaid. There is no standard scholarship amount because the award depends entirely on the student’s demonstrated financial need.
Caltech may also assign students to named scholarships funded by donors. These scholarships remain primarily need-based, although some may contain additional merit criteria. Students do not submit separate applications for named scholarships; eligible students are considered automatically.
Caltech does not award undergraduate merit scholarships based simply on grades, test scores, competitions or other academic achievements. Its institutional undergraduate aid is need-based.
Caltech currently states that most students from families earning less than US$200,000 with typical assets can expect aid covering tuition, while most students from families earning less than US$100,000 with typical assets can expect a no-loan package covering tuition, fees, housing and food. The actual aid package is determined individually.
Important Rule for International Students
International students must indicate that they intend to apply for financial aid when they first apply for admission.
If an international student does not apply for aid as an incoming first-year student, or applies but does not qualify for aid in the first year, they generally cannot apply for Caltech need-based aid in later undergraduate years. Caltech notes limited exceptions for citizens or permanent residents of Canada and Mexico.
International transfer and 3/2 applicants are not eligible for Caltech institutional financial aid.
Caltech is also need-aware for international applicants. This means the amount of financial aid an international student requires can be considered during the admission process because Caltech has a limited pool of international aid funds. However, once a student who applied for aid is admitted, Caltech commits to meeting the student’s demonstrated financial need.
Caltech PhD Financial Support
Caltech provides comprehensive financial support to students entering its doctoral programmes.
All incoming PhD students are offered a financial aid package that covers:
- Full tuition
- Mandatory university fees
- Monthly living stipend or salary
- Caltech contribution toward the student health-care plan
- Support through fellowships, research assistantships or teaching assistantships
The current PhD stipend is:
US$50,000 per year
This is equivalent to approximately:
US$4,166 per month
The US$50,000 rate takes effect from September 1, 2026. Caltech has not yet published a higher stipend specifically for the 2027–2028 academic year, so applicants should use the updated amount in their eventual funding offer if the university changes the rate.
For comparison, Caltech’s 2026–2027 graduate tuition and mandatory fees total US$71,022 per year, consisting of US$68,574 in tuition and US$2,448 in mandatory fees. These costs are covered under the standard financial package for funded PhD students.
Graduate support can come from a combination of:
- Institute fellowships
- Endowed fellowships
- Research assistantships
- Teaching assistantships
- Faculty research grants
- External fellowships
Caltech also offers Institute Fellowships to graduate students of exceptional academic ability. Many of these fellowships support the first year of graduate study and are awarded by the academic divisions based on merit rather than through a separate general student application.
International PhD students can receive Caltech graduate funding. However, most funding sources require work authorisation because research and teaching assistantships may involve compensated academic work. Caltech therefore requires appropriate work authorisation for PhD matriculation unless the admitting programme can arrange another form of compensation.
Are Caltech Master’s Programmes Fully Funded?
Not generally.
Caltech states that a small number of terminal master’s students are admitted without financial aid. Unlike PhD students, terminal master’s students should not assume that tuition and living expenses will be funded.
Some departments occasionally offer fellowships or assistantships to master’s students. For example, selected graduate fellowships in Aerospace can cover full tuition and provide a living stipend, but these opportunities are programme-specific rather than a university-wide master’s scholarship.
International students seeking a funded graduate degree at Caltech should therefore normally focus on PhD programmes rather than assuming that a terminal master’s offer will include funding.
Eligibility Criteria for Caltech Scholarships
Undergraduate Scholarships
International applicants must:
- Apply as incoming first-year undergraduate students
- Meet Caltech’s academic admission requirements
- Indicate in the admission application that they intend to apply for financial aid
- Demonstrate financial need
- Complete the required financial aid application
- Submit the required family financial documents
- Meet Caltech’s English-language requirements
- Submit SAT or ACT scores
- Receive admission to Caltech
There is no minimum family income required to apply. Caltech calculates demonstrated need by considering factors including family income, assets, household size and certain expenses.
Academic Requirements
Caltech expects first-year applicants to complete a demanding secondary-school curriculum.
Students should demonstrate preparation including:
- Four years of mathematics, including calculus
- One year of physics
- One year of chemistry
- Biology recommended
- Four years of English
- At least two years of history or social sciences
For students who genuinely cannot take calculus, chemistry or physics because the course is unavailable or because of an irresolvable scheduling conflict, Caltech allows specific examinations or approved certifications to demonstrate subject mastery.
Caltech requires either the SAT or ACT for Fall 2027 first-year applicants. Test results are considered as one component of the university’s holistic admission process.
Undergraduate English Requirements
International applicants must submit an English proficiency test unless:
- English is their native language; or
- English is the primary language of instruction at their secondary school.
Caltech accepts:
- IELTS
- TOEFL
- Duolingo English Test
The current minimum requirements are:
| Test | Minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 7.0 overall and 7.0 in each area |
| TOEFL – revised scale | 5 overall and 5 in each area |
| Duolingo English Test | 130 |
Applicants whose school teaches primarily in English but whose native language is not English are not required to submit a test, although Caltech strongly recommends doing so.
You can also read our guide to scholarships without IELTS, but Caltech makes the final decision on whether an applicant qualifies for an English-test exemption.
PhD Eligibility
Graduate applicants must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or international equivalent before beginning graduate study
- Apply to an eligible Caltech graduate programme
- Submit transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Provide three recommendation letters
- Submit a CV
- Complete the required essays
- Meet programme-specific academic requirements
- Meet any GRE requirements set by the selected programme
- Demonstrate strong preparation for research
Caltech does not impose one official minimum graduate GPA. However, the Graduate Studies Office states that most successful applicants have approximately a 3.5/4.0 GPA or higher or rank within the top 5–10% of their class. International applicants should not convert their grades into a US GPA unless their institution already reports a US GPA.
GRE requirements differ by programme. Some departments recommend the GRE, some require it and others do not accept it, so applicants must check their chosen programme individually.
Graduate applicants whose native language is not English are encouraged to demonstrate strong English proficiency. Caltech accepts recognised tests including TOEFL, IELTS, PTE and Duolingo, but the Graduate Studies Office does not impose one university-wide minimum score.
How to Apply for Caltech Scholarships?
How to Apply for Caltech Undergraduate Scholarships?
(1) Review Caltech’s first-year admission requirements and make sure your academic preparation meets the university’s expectations.
Applicants should be particularly well prepared in mathematics and science, including calculus, physics and chemistry.
(2) Apply through either the Common Application or QuestBridge.
Caltech accepts both application routes and does not give preference to one over the other. The current first-year application fee is US$85, although fee waivers are available to eligible applicants.
(3) Complete the Caltech supplemental questions and submit the required academic information.
Your application should include:
- Secondary-school record
- Caltech supplemental essays
- SAT or ACT
- Teacher recommendations
- School Report
- English proficiency evidence where required
Caltech requires one teacher recommendation from a STEM subject and one from humanities or social sciences.
(4) Clearly state that you intend to apply for financial aid.
International applicants are asked to complete an International Financial Aid Statement of Intent within the admission application. Do not indicate that you can pay the full cost if you actually intend to request Caltech aid later.
This decision is important because international students who do not apply for aid during first-year admission generally cannot request institutional financial aid in later years.
(5) Complete the CSS Profile.
Select California Institute of Technology and use Caltech’s CSS Profile code:
4034
Caltech uses the CSS Profile to assess the family’s financial circumstances and calculate demonstrated need.
International applicants who qualify for a CSS Profile fee waiver may receive a payment code from Caltech.
(6) Submit the required family financial documents.
Depending on your circumstances, Caltech may request:
- Parents’ national tax returns
- Foreign tax documents
- Non-tax filer statements
- Noncustodial parent CSS Profile
- Scholarship Data Form and Addendum
- Additional income or asset documentation
If your parents are divorced, separated or were never married, your noncustodial parent may also need to complete a separate CSS Profile.
(7) Wait for your admission and financial aid decisions.
If admitted with aid, Caltech calculates your demonstrated financial need and constructs an aid package. Caltech Scholarships and eligible named scholarships are automatically included; there is no separate application for each institutional scholarship.
How to Apply for Caltech PhD Funding?
(1) Review the Caltech graduate programmes and select the research programme that best matches your academic background and research interests.
Check the department’s:
- Research areas
- Faculty
- Academic prerequisites
- GRE policy
- Application requirements
- Funding information
(2) Identify faculty whose research closely matches your interests.
Read recent publications and research-group pages before contacting a professor. Where appropriate, send a short personalised email explaining:
- Your academic background
- Previous research experience
- Proposed area of research
- Technical skills
- Publications or conference work
- Why the professor’s research interests you
Attach a concise academic CV.
(3) Prepare the required graduate application documents.
Caltech requires transcripts, three recommendation letters, a CV and application essays. Individual programmes may request additional material.
Your essays should clearly explain your research experience, academic preparation, proposed interests and reasons for choosing Caltech.
You can use our guide on writing a statement of purpose for scholarship when preparing your application.
(4) Submit your application through the Caltech Graduate Studies application portal.
The graduate application fee is currently US$100. A limited number of fee waivers are available to applicants who demonstrate financial need or meet other approved criteria.
(5) Arrange three strong recommendation letters.
Select professors or research supervisors who can comment specifically on your:
- Research ability
- Academic performance
- Independence
- Technical preparation
- Creativity
- Potential for doctoral research
Use our scholarship recommendation letter guide when approaching your referees.
(6) No separate application is normally required for standard PhD funding.
All doctoral students entering Caltech graduate programmes are offered a funding package covering tuition and fees together with a stipend or salary. Funding may be provided through fellowships, teaching assistantships or research assistantships.
The details of your financial support will be included in your admission and funding offer.
Documents Required for Caltech Scholarships
Undergraduate Documents
International first-year applicants should prepare:
- Common Application or QuestBridge Application
- Caltech supplemental essays
- US$85 application fee or fee waiver
- Official secondary-school transcripts
- School Report
- Mid-Year Report
- One STEM teacher recommendation
- One humanities or social sciences teacher recommendation
- SAT or ACT results
- IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo result where required
- International Financial Aid Statement of Intent
- English translations of documents issued in another language
- Optional research papers, publications or portfolios where relevant
Research experience is not compulsory for undergraduate admission, but applicants with substantial research can submit a research paper or publication as optional supporting material.
Financial Aid Documents
International students requesting aid should prepare:
- CSS Profile
- Parents’ income information
- Parents’ national tax returns
- Foreign non-filer statement where applicable
- Noncustodial parent CSS Profile where required
- Scholarship Data Form and Addendum when requested
- English translations of financial documents
- Additional documents requested by the Financial Aid Office
PhD Documents
Graduate applicants should normally prepare:
- Online graduate application
- Academic transcripts from every college or university attended
- Bachelor’s degree information
- Academic CV
- Application essays
- Three recommendation letters
- GRE result where required or recommended
- English proficiency evidence where applicable
- Research publications or other supporting material where useful
- Programme-specific supplementary documents
Applicants can use the following ScholarshipRoar guides:
Website
For more information about Caltech Scholarships, visit:
- Caltech Financial Aid
- Financial Aid for International Students
- Caltech Scholarships
- Caltech Graduate Financial Support
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Caltech Scholarships fully funded?
Caltech undergraduate scholarships are need-based rather than one fixed fully funded award. Caltech meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students who apply for aid, so students with very high financial need can receive very substantial funding.
Caltech PhD programmes are fully funded. Incoming doctoral students receive tuition and fee coverage together with a living stipend or salary.
Is Caltech need-blind for international students?
No. Caltech is need-aware for international applicants because its international financial aid budget is limited.
The amount of aid an international applicant requires can therefore be considered during admission.
Does Caltech meet 100% of demonstrated financial need?
Yes. Caltech commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students who apply for financial assistance.
Does Caltech offer merit scholarships?
Caltech does not offer general undergraduate merit scholarships.
Its undergraduate Caltech Scholarships are based on demonstrated financial need. Some donor-funded named scholarships include additional merit criteria, but students are considered for them automatically.
Can international transfer students receive financial aid?
No. Caltech states that institutional financial aid is not available to international transfer or 3/2 applicants.
How much is the Caltech PhD stipend?
The current Caltech PhD stipend is US$50,000 per year, equivalent to approximately US$4,166 per month.
Does Caltech PhD funding cover tuition?
Yes. The standard PhD financial package covers tuition and mandatory fees in addition to providing a stipend or salary.
Do I need a separate application for PhD funding?
Normally no. All students entering Caltech doctoral programmes are offered a financial aid package as part of their graduate admission.
Are Caltech master’s programmes funded?
Not generally. Caltech states that some terminal master’s students are admitted without financial support.
Programme-specific fellowships may occasionally be available, but master’s applicants should not assume that Caltech will cover their tuition and living expenses.
Is SAT or ACT required for Caltech?
Yes. Caltech requires Fall 2027 first-year applicants to submit either SAT or ACT results.
Is IELTS compulsory for Caltech?
Not for every international applicant.
Students are exempt from the undergraduate English-test requirement if English is their native language or the primary language of instruction at their secondary school. Other international applicants can submit IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo.
What is the Caltech application fee?
The current application fees are:
- Undergraduate: US$85
- Graduate: US$100
Fee waivers are available to eligible applicants.
