<p>does it matter the qualifications of the applicant? as long as the family is in need, are all the need based aids the same?</p>
<p>well I’m going to assume that they all are. How is it typically determined?</p>
<p>Can someone give me a rough sketch?</p>
<p>international
income:~~~~70k
I’m currently H4 status and have been in the U.S. for 9 years.</p>
<p>how much would FAFSA make my family pay?</p>
<p>Federal aid through FAFSA is for US citizens and eligible non-citizens. According to the FAFSA instructions
[Completing</a> the FAFSA 08-09/The Application Questions(14-31)](<a href=“http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/completing_fafsa/2008_2009/ques2-1.html]Completing”>http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/completing_fafsa/2008_2009/ques2-1.html)</p>
<p>the holder of an H series visa is not eligible for federal financial aid.</p>
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</p>
<p>then what does it mean when it says that need-based aid is available for students in colleges’ international websites?</p>
<p>I know there won’t be federal aid whatsoever. But schools themselves give out aid</p>
<p>They probably have their own financial aid forms or require CSS/profile. You would need to check with each school and see what the financial aid application requirements are for international students.</p>
<p>that means they are giving you their money, institutional money, not federal grants and/or loans. These schools will still require financial information from you. Every school is different on how/much aid they give to international students who need financial support to attend college.</p>
<p>[Financing</a> your Education : Iowa State University Admissions](<a href=“http://www.admissions.iastate.edu/intl/finance.php]Financing”>Tuition and Fees - Iowa State University)
I see you are from Iowa, for example here is what Iowa state has to offer for non-US citizens</p>
<p>^ I live near ISU, my purpose in college search is to avoid going there because I don’t like it. I applied to MIT and other really selective ones, which is the reason I’m looking for colleges with generous aid for internationals.</p>
<p>[MIT</a> Admissions: International Applicants: Helpful Tips](<a href=“http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/international_applicants_helpful_tips/index.shtml]MIT”>http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/international_applicants_helpful_tips/index.shtml)</p>
<p>Mit guarantees to meet need of International students.
[MIT</a> - Student Financial Services](<a href=“MIT Student Financial Services”>MIT Student Financial Services)</p>
<p>Their aid will be based on more than just income, your assets and home equity will probably also be considered. If you can get into MIT, you will get full need (as determined by them) met</p>
<p>To answer your original question - are all need-based awards the same - the answer is no. Some need-based aid is in the form of grants, which do not need to be repaid; some is in the form of loans, which do need to be repaid; some may be in the form of work-study, which needs to be earned (although I’m not sure of the parameters of work-study for international students). The particular “package” - the proportion of money that doesn’t need to be repaid v. money that needs to be repaid or earned - can vary greatly between colleges, even if the dollar amount is the same.</p>
<p>Additionally, schools such as MIT which use the Profile or their own similar forms, make their own calculations to determine what your need is. MIT may come up with one number for your need, while CalTech or Harvard may come up with a wildly different one. Since the schools are giving out their own money, they are permitted to make whatever calculations they wish.</p>
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<p>highlight number 2.
Our family’s case is that we’ve applied for the green card. That makes me eligible right?</p>
<p>Ougnala, this is too important of a deal for you be relying on this board or any website for financial aid eligibility. My understanding is that you need a green card, and applying for one does not count. You have to have one. However, this may differ from school to school, things may have changed, I may be mistaken, etc, etc. You need to call each of the schools on your list, talk to the financial aid office, to a director, not a student helper and find out if you are considered an international student by their definition. Also ask if you are eligible for government funds that FAFSA qualifies kids for. </p>
<p>In answer to your original question, schools do provide aids in varying amounts. You can apply to 1000 schools and get that many different packages. Most of the time, your EFC will remain the same as calculated by FAFSA which will determine your eligibility for government money, but different schools may subscribe to different government programs and states have their own programs as well. Not to mention the schools’ own funds. And many schools do offer different amounts to kids with the same need numbers, as they determine merit within need, so that those students they want the most get more generous packages.</p>
<p>…sucks…</p>