Duke University

The Karsh International Scholarship 2027 at Duke University offers a comprehensive financial aid opportunity for international students seeking a full-time undergraduate degree in the United States. The program supports academically strong students who demonstrate documented financial need and are interested in academic research, interdisciplinary learning, and service.

The scholarship can cover full tuition, room and board, mandatory university fees, and additional demonstrated financial need beyond those costs. Selected scholars can also receive funding for three summers for research, unpaid internships, or other academic and professional opportunities.

There is no separate application for the Karsh International Scholarship. International students must first apply for first-year undergraduate admission to Duke University and request financial aid through the admission process. Eligible applicants are then considered for the scholarship.

For the 2026–2027 admission cycle, Duke lists an Early Decision application deadline of November 2, 2026, with a financial-aid deadline of November 3, 2026. For Regular Decision, the admission deadline is January 4, 2027, while the financial-aid deadline is February 1, 2027.

Karsh International Scholarship 2027 Overview

The source identifies the scholarship as fully funded and specifies the financial components above.

About the Karsh International Scholarship

The Karsh International Scholarship is offered by Duke University through its Office of University Scholars and Fellows. It is intended for academically strong international students who demonstrate financial need and have interests in research, interdisciplinary learning, and service.

The key point for applicants is that the Karsh Scholarship is connected directly to Duke’s undergraduate admission and financial-aid process. Students do not submit a separate scholarship application or receive a separate nomination process. Instead, they apply to Duke as first-year undergraduate students and request financial aid.

Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for consideration for the Karsh Scholarship.

Financial Benefits

The scholarship provides several forms of financial support:

Tuition Funding

• Full tuition coverage.

Living Costs

• Room and board.

University Fees

• Mandatory university fees.

Additional Financial Need

• Additional demonstrated financial need beyond tuition, room and board, and mandatory fees.

Summer Funding

Funding is available for three summers and can support:

• Research
• Unpaid internships
• Other academic and professional opportunities that advance the student’s career

The source does not specify a separate monetary amount for the summer funding.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants need to satisfy both Duke’s undergraduate admission requirements and the specific international and financial-need conditions described for the Karsh Scholarship.

Academic Requirements

Applicants should:

• Demonstrate strong academic preparation.
• Apply for first-year undergraduate admission to Duke University.
• Meet Duke University’s undergraduate admission requirements.

The source also states that Duke’s admissions process considers academic performance, course rigor, recommendations, extracurricular involvement, and the quality of applicants’ essays.

Nationality Requirements

Applicants must be citizens of a country outside the United States.

Students with dual U.S. and another-country citizenship are not eligible for this particular scholarship.

Financial-Need Requirement

Applicants must demonstrate documented financial need and request financial aid through the Duke admission process.

Degree Requirement

The scholarship is for full-time undergraduate study.

Applicants who already hold a B.A. or B.S. degree are not eligible.

Language Requirement

Duke does not require an English-proficiency test for every international applicant. However, the source states that the university recommends an English-proficiency test for non-native English speakers or students who are not currently studying in an English-medium curriculum.

The source lists IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo English Test, Cambridge English, and PTE Academic as accepted tests. For IELTS, Duke lists a minimum expected score of 7.

SAT or ACT

Duke is test-optional for the 2026–2027 admission cycle. International applicants can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores, and the source states that applicants who apply without test scores will not be disadvantaged in the admission process.

Eligible Nationalities

The Karsh International Scholarship is intended for citizens of countries outside the United States.

The source specifically mentions current Karsh scholars from countries including:

• Pakistan
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Kenya
• Egypt
• Vietnam
• Thailand
• Chile
• Rwanda
• Zimbabwe
• Mongolia

The source also states that scholars come from countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, North America, and South America. Citizens of any country outside the U.S. can be considered, subject to the stated eligibility conditions.

Eligible Degrees and Subjects

The Karsh International Scholarship supports full-time undergraduate study at Duke University.

It is not limited to one particular academic subject. Students can pursue undergraduate programs across a broad range of disciplines.

The source lists fields including:

• Business and economics
• Computer science
• Engineering
• Biological sciences
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Mathematics
• Environmental sciences
• Political science
• International studies
• Psychology
• Sociology
• History
• Public policy
• Literature and languages
• Arts and humanities
• Social sciences

Applicants can apply through either Trinity College of Arts & Sciences or the Pratt School of Engineering, depending on their academic interests.

Required Documents

The source identifies the following application and financial-aid materials:

• High school transcript
• Counselor recommendation
• Two teacher recommendations
• CSS Profile
• Additional financial documentation if requested

Duke may request additional documentation through the College Board’s IDOC service. Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, this may include foreign tax documents, parental income information, or other financial records.

If documents are not in English, the source states that applicants must provide official English translations together with the original documents. Financial figures may also need to be converted into U.S. dollars.

Is There a Separate Karsh Scholarship Application?

No.

Students do not submit a separate application specifically for the Karsh International Scholarship. The process begins with the Duke undergraduate admission application and the request for financial aid.

Applicants should:

1. Apply for first-year undergraduate admission to Duke University.
2. Indicate “Yes” when asked whether they are interested in financial aid.
3. Complete the required financial-aid application.
4. Submit the CSS Profile by the applicable deadline.
5. Provide additional financial documents if Duke requests them.
6. Remain under consideration for eligible Duke scholarships.

The source also states that students cannot be nominated for the Karsh Scholarship.

How to Apply

Step 1: Apply to Duke University

Apply for first-year undergraduate admission through the Common Application or another applicable application route.

Step 2: Select Your Undergraduate School

Choose Trinity College of Arts & Sciences or Pratt School of Engineering according to your academic interests.

Step 3: Request Financial Aid

Indicate during the admission application that you want to be considered for financial aid.

Step 4: Submit Your Admission Materials

Submit your academic transcripts and required recommendations. The source specifically identifies a high school transcript, counselor recommendation, and two teacher recommendations.

Step 5: Complete the CSS Profile

International applicants seeking institutional financial aid must complete the CSS Profile by the applicable financial-aid deadline.

Step 6: Provide Additional Financial Documents

If Duke requests additional financial documentation, submit the required materials. These may be requested through the College Board’s IDOC service.

Step 7: Complete the Admission Process

Wait for Duke’s admission decision and financial-aid information.

Step 8: Follow Duke’s Funding Instructions

If selected, follow Duke University’s instructions for receiving the scholarship funding.

Karsh Scholarship 2027 Application Deadlines

Applicants need to track two separate deadlines: the Duke admission deadline and the financial-aid deadline.

Early Decision

Regular Decision

These dates are stated in the provided source for the 2026–2027 admission cycle.

Time zone: Not specified in the provided source.

Important Information for Applicants

Before applying, international students should pay particular attention to the following:

• The scholarship is for first-year undergraduate applicants.
• Applicants must be citizens of a country outside the United States.
• Dual U.S. and other-country citizens are not eligible for this particular scholarship.
• Applicants must demonstrate documented financial need.
• There is no separate Karsh Scholarship application.
• Students must request financial aid during the Duke admission process.
• International applicants seeking institutional financial aid must complete the CSS Profile.
• Additional financial documents may be requested.
• Duke is test-optional for the 2026–2027 admission cycle.
• The admission deadline and financial-aid deadline are separate, so applicants should track both.
• The scholarship includes funding for three summers, but the source does not specify a fixed summer-funding amount.