International Student Fund

The International Student Fund (ISF) provides financial support to international students for expenses related to international student fees, emergency travel, food insecurity during college shutdown periods, out-of-area medical and immigration-related transportation, driver's license/driving education support, and graduation guest travel assistance. Requests are reviewed weekly throughout the academic year and are awarded based on their financial aid as well as how clearly they have articulated the need for funding.

International students should first assess if their need falls within the scope of the critical need fund and if so to apply to it first. 

Read below for more information about eligibility, covered expenses, and the application process.

Disclaimer: While we do our very best to award the most money to the most amount of students, as with all funding programs, we cannot guarantee that your request will be funded, or funded at the amount you requested. Note that you must read the information below to access the link to the request form and that you must agree to and understand the rules around eligibility and covered expenses to move ahead with the request itself. 

    • Students on an F-1/J-1 student visa or liminal immigration status 
    • Receives Financial Aid from Williams. Students not receiving aid, or on any kind of temporary leave are unfortunately not eligible.

    Funding is based on actual expected/reimbursable expenses; they are not granted as lump sums. Likewise, while we do our best to provide funds to as many students as possible, funds are limited and we cannot guarantee funding in all cases. Eligibility for and applying to ISF does not guarantee funding. 

    Funding will not exceed $1,000. Awards will be reviewed year-round.

  • International Student Fund is available to help cover expenses that include, but are not limited to:

    1. International student fees:

      • USCIS
      • Passport 
      • DOS (Visa/other consular) 
      • SEVP 

    2. Emergency Travel that falls outside the scope of CNF (family or immigration-related)  

    3. Food insecurity during college shutdown periods (must demonstrate why personal allowance and college earnings will not cover the costs)

    4. Out-of-area medical and immigration-related transportation that is outside the Berkshire area (outside coverage of non-emergency medical transportation through health services)

    5. Driver’s license and Driving Education support up to $200

    6. Graduation guest travel assistance (for one guest to attend graduation, only airfare). 

  • Please complete this International Student Fund application.

    Requests are reviewed weekly throughout the academic year and are awarded based on their financial aid as well as how clearly they have articulated the need for funding for as long as funds are available.

    After your application is reviewed, you will be contacted via email regarding the status of your request and will be notified of any next steps if you have been awarded funds.

    If you have any additional questions regarding ISF, please contact [email protected].