Am I an international applicant to US schools?

I’m a rising senior getting started on college applications, but as I look at colleges I’m not sure it they would consider me a domestic applicant. I’ve lived in the US for ten years but since I’m Indian I still don’t have a green card so I’m not a permanent resident. I’m currently on an h4 visa, which is a dependent visa. I know I can’t use fafsa, but I know my state schools consider me an instate student. I don’t know about out of state schools though, I feel like I could be a competitive applicant to some top schools, but I don’t know if I am going to be compared with American students. I also don’t know how financial aid would work, I think I can apply for financial aid at each school but many schools are need aware for internationals, so would that hurt my chances? Any advice is appreciated and thanks in advance for your help.

You are an international for financial aid purposes because you are not eligible for federal student aid.

You may or may not be eligible for state aid. That depends on the policies in your state of residence. It is good that your state of residence considers you in-state for tuition and fees. That can save your family a lot of money.

If your state of residence does not have reciprocity with any other states that also extend that to people like you, then you will be out-of-state everywhere else.

Contact each place that is on your application list, let them know that you are an international applicant in H4 status who has been educated in the US for the past ten years. Ask them how they want you to file your admission and financial aid applications. Do not be surprised if each place wants something different.

A need-aware institution that does award aid to international applicants will award you aid if they really want you. If they don’t want you all that much, you won’t get admitted. So don’t worry about your need keeping you out if you are otherwise a reasonable applicant. However, be sure to have at least one solid truly affordable guatanteed admission safety on your list in case all else goes wrong.

Call the state university and ask they should be able to better give you feedback. I think you would be considered in state as parents are paying taxes

This isn’t the test. Lots of people pay real estate and income taxes in other states if they have second homes or work in a nearby state but aren’t considered residents for tuition purposes. Paying taxes to a state might be one factor in establishing residency. There are also a lot of residents who don’t work or don’t earn enough to pay taxes or states that don’t have income tax.

OP said his state allows high school grads to pay instate tuition so that’s not an issue.

I think most schools would consider you an international student for FA (and you won’t get federal aid) although they might consider you for admissions with the pool from your state and high school (compare your gpa, stats, activities with other US students). If the school is a ‘meets need’ school but need aware for internationals, I’m afraid your need will be considered in admissions.