Okay then, name one.
The international student pages are very clear on that point, even at the five need blind met need colleges. All the need aware meet need make it a requirement. The need blind don’t meet need aren’t interested in an international student’s financial need since they don’t meet it.
Amherst’s web page titled “Financial Aid for International Students” has the following language:
Amherst College is “need blind” with respect to admission. Amherst will not take into account whether or not you have applied for financial aid in the admission process.
https://www.amherst.edu/offices/financialaid/international_students
yes, they’re need-blind/meet-need as indicated above, so they don’t count it against you if you apply for financial aid WHEN YOU APPLY. If you look on the international student pages, you’ll see that it’s not possible to apply later on - either you’re granted money when you apply, or not (barring specific circumstances like a tsunami or a civial war devastated your country). You can’t apply as a full pay student (checking the “won"t apply for financial aid” box on commonapp) then ask for aid, or have your family pay for your first year expecting the school to pick up the tab for years 2-4.
Meanwhile, back on topic, as I stated before. most US colleges do not give any need based aid to internationals.
Yes. But Canadian universities do (bursaries) AND have additional scholarships.
So, this student should really look into universities with bursaries and scholarships (all are typically stackable for Canadian students).
The language quoted is from an international student page. Amherst is very clear in stating that receiving financial aid as an enrolled international student is not dependent on the student submitting a financial aid application prior to enrollment.
Edited to add:
Students wishing to apply for financial aid for the 2017-18 academic year may do so whether she or he is curently receiving assistance from the college or not.
https://www.amherst.edu/offices/financialaid/renewal_upperclassapps
Someone really should let Amherst know that they have a typo on their website.
And all info is fine… but that aid the student applies for in subsequent years will NOT be retroactive to prior years…
And that is what is in the OPs title to the thread.
If the OP wants aid for freshman year…the OP needs to apply for aid…now.
That’s the page for students in general - not sure it applies to internationals who didn’t apply for financial aid before since they’re considered in a different FA bucket. Until now as far as I know Amherst handled renewals only internationals, barring special, dramatic/unforeseeable circumstances.
As indicated previously, Amherst is one of the 5 “need-blind/meet need” colleges.
I’ll stop now with this digression since OP needs financial aid (a single parent who makes so little as to not pay income taxes means a financial aid application - no applying for aid means not getting aid means not being able to attend.)
@AmicusPlato : basically, fill out the ISFAA and CSS Profile ASAP.
And don’t forget to check with each college whether you meet their entrance requirements.
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
Let’s remember that the OP is not interested in a sidebar conversation between 2 users, and focus on his/her question, please. Quibbling over the one school out of 3000+ 4 year US universities, that **might/b be an exception is not helpful at all to the OP.
My understanding, and I am not an expert, lies closer with the advice given by @thumper1 and @MYOS1634 in terms of US colleges. Personally, if I were the OP, I would err on the side of caution.
Is OP Canadian? @DadTwoGirls might have some ideas for affordable Canadian colleges.
In his other thread OP indicated that he was projecting an SAT score in the 1300s. He may not be able to get in many if the schools that meet full need for internationals.
From the OP…frost post in THIS thread
@skieurope You can lock the thread if you don’t mind, I’ve received the information I’m looking for.
To the rest of you, your concerns are duly noted: I hadn’t realized there was an advantage to filing aid early, so I saw no harm to deal with it later (as the FA deadline is later anyway).
My stats are more than high enough for any Canadian university, and no, Canadian universities do not offer financial aid in the same way as do American universities; here, financial aid merely means loans or scholarships, I’ve seen nothing like need-based aid. Tuition is much lower here as it is and students are expected to be in debt.
Unlike many applicants, I’m not fortunate to be coddled by my parents or have all the work done by a guidance counselor. I’ve been working through this largely unaided, which is why I’ve been asking for information that I lack. What I’m not looking for is unsolicited advice; I know my situation better than anyone commenting, and can objectively assess how I stand in relation to other applicants. The policy here as I understood it was not to reveal too much personal information, which I’ve been trying to follow. If you want my life story or a tour de force justification for why I’m applying to universities abroad, just message me.
^ really, there IS financial aid at Canadian universities, called bursaries. Not all universities offer this though and it may depend on your provincial government. But it does exist, hunt for it as those would be your safeties.
UOttawa offers half tuition scholarships if you study partly in English partly in French.
Most American stusents are expected to be in debt, too (5.5k freshman year) - full tuition and full ride scholarships depend on high test scores (1450+).
You asked if aid is given out retroactively. No, never. You were then told that you should apply for aid immediately, when you send in your applications. I don’t understand why that information is not helpful to you. It really isn’t possible to finance the first year with big debt that they school would then somehow award aid retroactively anyway. The schools don’t let you run a tab and there aren’t loans available for foreign students.
Bottom line, if you want aid, you’ll need to apply for it, learn your targets’ guidelines and expectations. If they expect a tax return, you’d need to provide it.
For many, completing taxes for a prior year is quick. Some colleges will let you provide a draft, for their initial read, while it’s processed through the govt tax system. Any initial FA could be subject to the college later revising.
But nothing triggers without the FA app. (Except possibly merit aid.) You could call and ask a target or two how they’d handle your situation.
If you can’t afford a college, if they don’t offer the sort and level of aid you need, you need to be realistic. Not insisting it’s USA or bust, not even assuming you could scrape together first year costs.
Btw, most of us knew zip about FA when we started.
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I know my situation better than anyone commenting, and can objectively assess how I stand in relation to other applicants. <<<<<<<<<<<<
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Actually, I think you have no idea at all. This Is why this thread is full of people trying to help you. But good luck. I think Canada looks pretty darned appealing. Myos has been especially helpful to you in other threads, the FA issue frankly, is just a sidetrack from what seems like a flight of fancy.
It’s somewhat late in the game to be chasing big merit and financial aid in the US. The good news is your best deals are more than likely in Canada anyways. Many Americans would absolutely love to be in your position and have access to Canadian schools and Canadian tuition. I’m sure you have a game plan for your Canadian options but just giving those options a vote of confidence as they are really really good and incredibly cheap compared to the US. Take advantage of your great schools and come to the US after on a work visa.
Not sure what province you are in and know tuition varies by province. If you are lucky enough to get Quebec rates, McGill is only $2500 (+/-) a year - this may be the best deal in the world! My own daughter is a dual citizen (lives in Socal) and applied just to have this option come May. If interested and non-Quebec - maybe consider a gap year to establish residency - learn French, get a job and make some $'s and then snap up the Quebec tuition bargain.
If not in Quebec, are you within commute range to a good university - not as fun and glamorous but it saves a fortune. Good luck and keep us posted on what you decide.
@MYOS1634 Harvard and Princeton are two universities that will allow you to apply for financial aid at any time. Harvard’s admissions packet advises candidates who have financial need to apply for aid even if they have not already done so. However, you are correct that the vast majority of universities require you to apply for financial aid at the time of admission, and many state that if you don’t apply for FA at the time of your original application, you cannot do so later.
If this doesn’t work out this year with the FA, instead of a trade school, maybe try again focusing on US schools that may provide full merit? Maybe pull up the SAT a bit with the extra time. They may not be tippy top schools but have honors programs that will provide the rigor.
Good luck to you!!