International Students
Bennington greatly values its international student population. We currently have students from the following countries: Pakistan, Nepal, Japan, Brazil, Ukraine, Jamaica, England, Canada, Mexico, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and others.
Our goal is to enroll highly qualified, highly motivated international students who will thrive in Bennington’s small, creative, educational environment. In order to support this goal, Bennington offers special international scholarships each year to truly outstanding applicants. These scholarships range in amount from full to partial and are determined only after all applications are received and on the recommendation of the Admissions Committee. We encourage international applicants to spend time on our website so that they understand our curriculum and are prepared to say in their application why they think they would thrive as a student here.
All applicants who are not citizens of the United States or permanent residents are considered international students. International students use the same application as other candidates and are evaluated in the same way. Here are some important basics for international students:
- Students who are not native speakers of English need to take the Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), unless the student's primary language of instruction at the secondary school level is English. Prospective applicants must demonstrate their competence in English before they will be considered for admission; the College does not offer courses in English as a Second Language. To be considered for admission a minimum TOEFL score of: 90–91 for the internet-based test, 233 for the computer-based test, or 577 for the paper-based test is required. A band score of 7 or more on the Academic Module of the IELTS exam is also acceptable. Students are strongly encouraged to take either the SAT or the ACT as well, and an academic writing sample in English is required.
- Aid applicants: By February 1, students who are applying for financial aid must also submit the International Student Financial Aid Application and an official statement of last year's income and benefits from their parent's employers, translated into English and U.S. dollars.
- All enrolling international students, whether or not they will be applying for financial aid, are required to submit an International Student Certification of Finances. This form, which must be received and approved before the College issues an I-20 Form, verifies that the student has financial resources for all coming years at Bennington to meet expected education costs not being covered by financial aid. Financial aid recipients complete the Certification after they receive a financial aid award. It is important that the student's resources (as listed on the Certification of Finances) be secure as Bennington's financial aid is limited, and a student's financial aid for coming terms is not likely to increase.