Average financial aid package for an international students?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I would greatly appreciate any information about the average fin aid package for internationals and the no of students it is awarded to, as I can't find those stats anywhere. Please help, as I wish to decide whether I should apply to Columbia or not as soon as possible.
Thanks for reading this.</p>

2

<p>I may be wrong, but don’t you have to be an American citizen to receive federal financial aid? I know Columbia doesn’t give out merit based scholarships so I think that federal aid is your only option.</p>

3

<p>No, most financial aid comes from the Columbia endowment. However some does come from federal funds which do not go to internationals, including federal work study. From what I’ve heard it’s harder to get the Columbia grant money coming as an international, but you should wait for a more informed opinion.</p>

4

<p>Still waiting. That informed opinion could strongly influence my decision on whether or not I should I apply to Columbia.
Btw, I read on their website that though they are need aware, they promise to meet 100% of an international’s financial need if the student is admitted. I used their NPC and it predicted my EFC at about 4000 USD. I hope it’s true. I really want to apply to Columbia(but I can’t if they don’t offer a lot of money).</p>

5

<p>Well, they will offer you a lot of money if you’re admitted (you’re correct that they technically guarantee 100% of aid), but it’s <em>extremely</em> unlikely you’ll be admitted if you’re an international who needs a lot of aid.</p>

6

<p>You better be one of the top applicants in the international pool to be admitted.</p>

<p>What are your stats? SAT/ACT score? Class rank or estimated percentile? Any standout awards or extracurricular activities?</p>

7

<p>@cortana431
Erm, I don’t know.
SAT I → CR-740 W-740 M-720 (2200) :’(
AP Physics C: Mech: 5(could only afford one)
SAT-IIs–> Due in October.
ECs:

  1. Founded this astronomy club in school. I think it is my strongest EC, as I have a lot of compelling stories to tell about it. Basically personal challenges, overcoming stage fright, lobbying school for funds/perseverance etc etc etc
  2. Scored a perfect CGPA in this 10th grade national exam(CBSE board in India, if you’ve heard of it).
  3. Was awarded one of the most prestigious scholarships of our school.
  4. Regular member of the school quizzing team. Won a national and finished 3rd in a regional quiz.
  5. Other small competitions blah blah blah.
  6. Some research work in physics.
    I haven’t had a lot of opportunities come my way. I’ve made the most of which did. Giving IPhO in November, hoping for the best.
    Percentile-5%(school doesn’t rank- and class size is VERY small, about 60 kids only).
    I don’t know if I’m good enough. I feel they have enough reason to reject me, I am not sure if I should apply there.</p>
8

<p>Well you certainly have good stats and it definitely can’t hurt to apply and see what happens! Work hard on your essays</p>

9

<p>Thanks cortana, I really appreciate that… But the thing is, applying also costs a lot of money, so I can’t just apply for the sake of applying. I don’t know where I stand in Columbia’s int’l applicant pool, and I can’t find anything about the average fin aid packages there. So, my question in the OP still stands unanswered. Complete details of my dilemma are here:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1376764-please-help-narrowing-my-college-list-8-colleges.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1376764-please-help-narrowing-my-college-list-8-colleges.html&lt;/a&gt;
Damn. Just saw I wrote “an international students.” That sucks.</p>