The New School Scholarships for International Students 2026

Yes, The New School does offer online study options, including online bachelor’s and master’s degrees, online certificates, and online courses, so scholarship support can be relevant for students in eligible degree programs.

The New School’s scholarships are generally connected to the subjects the university actually offers, rather than being restricted by only one or two majors. In practice, that includes design, fashion, business, media, liberal arts, psychology, social sciences, performing arts, urban studies, environmental studies, and other interdisciplinary fields. Business is clearly available, and recipient stories also show support for psychology and design: Nabiha Nadeem studied MA Psychology, while Kari Fuentes completed an MFA in Transdisciplinary Design. Humanities are also part of The New School’s profile through liberal arts and related fields.

The New School’s merit scholarship consideration is not presented as being limited to only a few nationalities. The university states that international students studying on F-1 or J-1 visas are eligible for merit-based aid consideration as part of the admission process, so students from many different countries can be considered if they are admitted. Recipient stories on Global Scholarships also show that scholarship-supported students at The New School have come from different national backgrounds, including Chile and Pakistan. For example, Kari Fuentes is from Chile, and Nabiha Nadeem is from Pakistan. In other words, the scholarships are not nationality-exclusive in the general university sense, although some external scholarships such as Fulbright or AAUW may have their own nationality or citizenship rules.

Often yes. For many applicants whose first language is not English, The New School requires proof of English proficiency unless you qualify for an exemption. Official undergraduate and graduate admissions pages list minimum scores such as TOEFL iBT 92, IELTS 7.0, PTE 63, Duolingo 115, and Cambridge English 185 for many programs. The university also notes that some applicants can be exempt, including those who studied in English as the primary language of instruction, and graduate applicants may also waive the test by completing The New School’s ESL program through Level 6. In the recipient stories, Kari Fuentes shared that “the IELTS felt like the right choice” and that she studied for a month before taking it, which makes her story a useful real example of how applicants prepare.

The New School does not appear to publish one universal minimum GPA for all degree applicants across all colleges and scholarship decisions. Admission is generally holistic, and merit scholarships are awarded based on the strength of the overall application, including portfolios or auditions when relevant.

One useful real example comes from Kari Fuentes, who explained that her GPA “translated above the minimum requirement here,” but also emphasized that “what truly shaped my success was not my GPA alone.” That matches The New School’s broader approach, which pays attention to academic and creative strength together. So yes, your grades matter, but there is not one simple published university-wide scholarship GPA cutoff for every applicant.

For standard undergraduate and graduate degree admission and merit scholarships, there’s no standard age limit. That means applicants are usually evaluated on eligibility, academic readiness, and the quality of their application rather than on age alone.

A good background for The New School usually means strong academics, a thoughtful fit with your chosen program, and, where required, a compelling portfolio, audition, résumé, or statement of purpose. Because scholarships are awarded during admission, your scholarship competitiveness is closely tied to the overall quality of your application.

For undergraduate applicants, this usually means solid secondary school preparation and any program-specific essays or creative materials. For graduate applicants, this usually means a relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent preparation, along with a strong statement of purpose and résumé if required.

Personal clarity also seems to matter in recipient stories. Nabiha Nadeem said her application stood out because it was “honest and personal,” while Kari Fuentes said she succeeded not because of GPA alone but because of her “capacity for critical and strategic thinking.” So the minimum eligibility is meeting the academic and application requirements for the program, while a good background is one that clearly shows readiness, originality, and fit.

At the undergraduate level, required documents depend on the college and program, but commonly include the application itself, essays, academic records, and sometimes a portfolio or audition. For example, Parsons undergraduate applicants apply through the Common Application, submit required essays, and BFA applicants must submit a portfolio; some other undergraduate pathways use The New School’s own online application.

At the graduate level, applicants usually submit The New School Online Application plus a statement of purpose, résumé, and other program-specific materials; some programs may also require portfolios, auditions, or additional supporting documents. International students should also be prepared for English proficiency evidence if required, and later for financial documentation for visa processing.

The New School does not have any application fees starting from 2026. That applies on both the undergraduate and graduate admissions.