Certification of Finances, ISFA Forms

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>Hi.</p>

<p>I have a few questions regarding these two forms, questions which are driving me mad.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I am an international student and have applied to 33 universities in the U.S. I wanted to ask if I could send the college board Certification of Finance and ISFA form to all the universities instead of going to their individual websites and downloading and filling their individual forms.</p></li>
<li><p>I can't pay all the way for college. My brother is sponsoring me part of the money. I am applying for financial aid. My questions is: how much money should I write in the assured support box, so as to not jeopardize my admission chances, and get aid? I'll try to explain what I want to say with two models:</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Model A: </p>

<pre><code> i. I have $ 10 000 of assured support. I write that in the box in the form.
II. I am also applying for financial aid
</code></pre>

<p>III. The universities fee is $ 50 000, and they say they can give me $ 20 000 of aid.</p>

<p>Now, will they just reject me because I am $ 20 000 short? Or say they don't give me any aid, will they reject me because of that? Model B:</p>

<p>I. The Universities total fee is $ 50 000. I write $ 50 000 in assured support</p>

<p>Will they not give me financial aid now because I wrote I can give $ 50 000 </p>

<p>I am not asking whether I should be truthful or not. I am asking what amount of money should I write, ( I really have $ 10 000 of assured support) so as to not risk my admission, get some financial aid, and get the remaining money from somewhere somehow. </p>

<ol>
<li><p>I didn't know of these forms until recently. I had submitted all my application materials supplements, essays, everything by December 15,2009. However, I recently read that universities don't start reviewing your application without these two forms. Will my admission chances be effected because I am submitting these forms so late. None of my friends have submitted these forms either. </p></li>
<li><p>Besides a verified bank statement, are there any other supporting documents one has to send with these forms? </p></li>
<li><p>Can I scan and e-mail these documents instead of posting them?</p></li>
<li><p>After sending these forms, do I still have to fill the CSS PROFILE from the collegeboard website?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Please help me. These two forms are driving me crazy!</p>

2

<p>33 schools - why? You are only going to attend one. I bet you could have done your supplements better if you applied to say 10 schools. And all the FA apps are going to be a real hassle.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Most schools use ISFAA, but there are exceptions, so you have to check the website of every school.</p></li>
<li><p>If your brother is independent from your family, I would not include his details. If you assure you can pay 50k for four years, they won’t give you need-based aid. Sure, it is easier to be admitted if you can pay for everything, but is it worth the financial hardship if you might as well get FA? You have 33 schools, some will accept you with a decent FA offer.</p></li>
<li><p>Most schools have later FA app deadlines, but it again depends on school.</p></li>
<li><p>A statement from parents’ employers indicating all wages and benefits in 2009 before any deductions (in English). </p></li>
<li><p>The vast majority of schools accept emailed forms, but there may be exceptions.</p></li>
<li><p>No you don’t, unless there are schools that require it from you.</p></li>
</ol>

3

<p>Emils…I can’t thank you enough! You saved me from a hell of frustrations and really saved my life! </p>

<p>I started really early so I had no problems with 33 colleges. Two last questions though, My brother is also supporting my family, so should I send in his bank statement as a supplement to these applications? And will the submission of the certification of finances form right now effect my admission chances? I’m sorry if I am just being redundant but I am just a little confused.</p>

4

<p>Try emailing a couple of schools. They will know these answers. </p>

<p>If your brother is independent and lives in another household, you don’t have to send his documents. In that case mention his current support to your family in other income field. If he lives with you, there is another field for income of other household members.</p>

5

<p>Emils, first of all, sorry for the late reply. And secondly, you really helped me, if there is anything I can do for you, please let me know.</p>