Admission Policy

Howard University does not refund the $45 application fee nor the $300 enrollment fee.

Howard University, as a community of scholars, is committed to the elimination of discrimination in education and the provision of equal opportunity in education. In compliance with state and federal laws and regulation, we do not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, race, religion sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status in any of our policies, procedures, or practices. This non-discrimination policy covers admission and access to, and treatment, in all programs and activities, including but not limited to, academic admissions, financial aid, educational services and employment.

Students are accepted in good faith in academic programs on the basis of the certification they provide to meet admissions criteria. If however, the results from the test and assessments procedures upon arrival provide evidence that a student’s actual academic proficiency is significantly different than the one claimed and is lower than the one required for the designated program, then the student will be formally advised of the results and applicable options, if any exist.

A student, either individually or through his/her representative, who has submitted any documents or certification to meet  the admission criteria which is later found to have been falsified may be subject to immediate dismissal from the University.

All applicants for admission must present one or more of the below requirements. For more specific details, please visit the Office of Admission website, or the respective application system.

• Completed application and non-refundable application fee. 
• Official high school transcript sent directly from your school (first year students only). Transcripts may be submitted electronically via an e-transcript system, or via mail (in a sealed envelope directly from the school). Submissions via fax/email and student submissions will not be accepted. Additionally, all enrolled first year students are required to submit their official final high school transcript (with proof of graduation) via their school by July 1 for Fall entry. 
• Official college transcript(s) from all postsecondary schools attended (transfer and graduate applicants). Howard University will only accept credits from regionally accredited postsecondary institutions. Transcripts may be submitted electronically via an e-transcript system, or via mail (in a sealed envelope directly from the school). Submissions via fax/email and student submissions will not be accepted. 
• Official results of standardized exams (e.g. SAT, ACT, GRE, SMAT etc.), if required by the university/the intended academic program. 
• Free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for all eligible students. Howard University’s School Code is 001448.

International students should refer to our international admission webpages to get additional information regarding the admissions process and documents required for admissions. International students may be required to verify and evaluate their academic records via a NACES member. An International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) is also required.

Note: Applicants must meet minimum requirements for consideration of admission to Howard University. Additional information may be required including essays and recommendations. The Office of Admission verifies through direct school submissions, outreach, and/or Clearinghouse reporting the attendance and graduation records of enrolled students. A student, either individually or through his/her representative, who has submitted any documents or certification to meet  the admission criteria which is later found to have been falsified may be subject to immediate dismissal from the University.

For the 2023-24 admission cycle, SAT/ACT test scores are not required to render a first year admission application complete. Students who do not submit test scores will not be at a disadvantage in the admission process, and scholarship determinations that require evidence of academic performance will be altered appropriately to accommodate fair consideration of those who chose not to submit test scores. This policy will extend to the Karsh STEM program. This policy does not extend to joint degree (e.g. BS/MD, BS/DDS, BA/JD) programs. Please also note, applicants with complete files who do not submit official test scores by the given document deadline for their desired admission plan, will be rendered with a final decision based on the credentials that are on file. As such, we do implore all students to give serious consideration into their desired admission plan, and whether they will opt into the test optional choice. For example, an early applicant who does not submit test scores by November 15, but has all other required credentials on file, will be notified of a final decision in January. There will be no subsequent opportunities to appeal this decision or submit test scores for consideration. For students who elect to submit official SAT (school code – 5297) or ACT scores (school code - 0674), only official scores submitted via the testing agency will be considered. 

Freshman applicants who have been offered admission to Howard University and have confirmed their enrollment (by paying the $300 enrollment fee deposit) may request to defer their enrollment for up to one year. All first year deferment requests will need to be completed by July 1 of each year. Please note, if the student does not matriculate in the subsequent academic year and would like to attend Howard University in the future, a new application will need to be submitted by the established deadline for admission consideration.  To complete the deferment process, please send an email to admission@howard.edu indicating your reason for deferment, what you will be doing during the gap period, and your preferred entry term. 

First year students may not attend another college/university during the gap period as part of a degree-seeking program, and institutional scholarship awards may be deferred pending receipt of updated FAFSA/ISFAA information by the given deadline for submission. 

Transfer applicants who have been offered admission to Howard University and have confirmed their enrollment (by paying the $300 enrollment fee deposit) may request to defer their enrollment for one semester. These deferment requests will need to be completed by January 1 (for Spring applicants) or August 1 (for Fall applicants) of each year.  If the student does not matriculate in the subsequent semester, a new application will need to be filed for admission consideration. To complete the deferment process, please send an email to transfer@howard.edu indicating your reason for deferment, and what you will be doing during the gap period.

Deferment requests are not accepted for any other undergraduate admission applications, including returning, summer, visiting and non-degree students. All other students must submit a new application for admission for the desired entry term to be considered for admission.