Are students allowed to ask colleges for a full ride?
In this old thread, http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/hamilton-college/1308268-do-international-students-asking-for-full-ride-really-get-accepted.html, one of the users mentioned that “Yes, it does happen that international students asking for (about) full ride get accepted with (about) full ride. Just as it happened to me.”
I know that this probably only occurs to some students, but I’m curious as to know how that works? Would students ask after they get accepted or before they’re accepted into their desired school? Does anyone have experience with this?
(I know this thread revolves around one school, but I’m just curious as to know whether or not it is possible for other schools as well?)
(I would ask the users that originally commented on the thread, but the users haven’t been active for years ): )
Thank you for your time! (Sorry if this happens to be in the wrong area of the forum…)
Its an OLD thread.
Why are you digging up old threads? People don’t really get “full rides” anymore. Are you a recruited athlete? Are you URM? Do you have perfect stats? Are you a celebrity?
The way you ask for financial aid is by noting it on your original application. If you’ve checked off that you need it, they know because, in addition to receiving your FAFSA, most students ask for some form of aid.
Each college has limited dollars to dispense. (Use the analogy of a pie.) They only have so much pie and then it’s gone. Asking for additional aid (pie) may annoy them. You can look on the websites and look at the scholarships available (other small pies) and ask if you qualify, otherwise don’t bother them; they are too busy.
On your early December thread people gave you many good recommendations. Will you take a gap year until you get your citizenship? Then you can apply to schools which have more aid available for you.
If you apply to need blind schools(Harvard, Yale, Amherst, MIT…), and get accepted you are pretty much guaranteed a full ride, if your financial situation is lacking. The challenge is getting accepted.
There are only 5 colleges that are both need-blind on admissions and guarantee full aid to international applicants: Harvard Yale, Princeton, Amherst and MIT.
There are some other colleges that are need-blind on admissions and promise full aid, but not to international applicants.
However, all colleges’ definition of full aid is “What we think you need in aid given your personal circumstances” rather than “a full ride.”
“Need blind” schools can and often do “meet need” with loans.
It’s not ideal for many low income students.
Yes, some top colleges have no loan policies – and some don’t. Some include the direct loan and work study. Those work study positions often fill up quickly. Being accepted to a need blind school isn’t the challenge; the whole process is a challenge if you’re low income.
But unless they are loans offered from the school itself, internationals are not going to be eligible for loans.
True. Just challenging the statement that it’s as easy as getting into a top college – it’s really not.
