<p>I am an international student and I am afraid that applying for Financial Aid will hurt my chances of being admitted to universities. However, I have already indicated on the Common App that I will pursue Financial Aid. Will the schools consider me as a Financial Aid applicant and put me into another pile regardless of whether I submit the CSS form? </p>
<p>Any answers will be much appreciated! :)</p>
<p>I am not sure whether international students are eligible for financial aid or not. But whatever the case, colleges cannot discriminate purely on the basis of financial aid eligibility. Majority of students in colleges and universities receive some kind of financial aid. So if I were you I would not change the information now. However, once again, check with FAFSA whether you as international student are eligible to receive grants and loans, in the first place.
The only form of financial aid I think you’ll might be eligible to receive is scholarships specifically for international students.</p>
<p>Clover16 -</p>
<p>When you file the CSS Profile, the colleges and universities will use that information to determine whether or not they think that you need aid. If they put applicants into two different groups based on aid, and they don’t think that you need aid, you will be put into the no-need group. </p>
<p>Can you and your family cover the full cost of attending any of the colleges/universities on your list? That is what should determine whether or not you apply for aid. If you would need aid in order to be able to attend, apply for it. Remember, you will not get your student visa if the people at the US consulate think that you can’t afford the college/university that you want to attend.</p>
<p>kathleentown - International students are ineligible to file the FAFSA. Private colleges and universities can and do discriminate in admissions based on financial need. Many do not admit students (especially international students) who would require a lot of financial aid. While it may appear to you that the majority of students here receive some kind of financial aid, the simple truth is that most US students only receive guaranteed federal aid that they qualify for by filing the FAFSA. That is because most colleges and universities have precious little aid to give anyone.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your replies! They are really informative! :)</p>
<p>Also remember that as an international student, at many colleges if you don’t apply for aid as an incoming freshman, you will not be eligible for aid in subsequent years. If you think that you will need aid at any time over the next 4 years, apply for it now.</p>
<p>Also, if you NEED financial aid. Apply for it. An acceptance will do you NO GOOD if you cannot afford to attend.</p>
<p>Thank you for your replies! :)</p>