<p>Hve, from what I’ve understood, the schools look for hooks for domestic students who haven’t had equitable opportunities in the US. Many of the international applicants are first generation, so there’s no real advantage there. You can ask FA officers; I have a friend that is a FA officer. </p>
<p>I don’t know what funds your international friends have received but California does not provide full funds or cover full tuitions; OOS and international students still have to pay the $23,000 differential that is not covered by any scholarships or grants. They can’t get around that, otherwise the state would be inundated with even more applications than they already receive. Being a California taxpayer for the past 35 years, I would be really upset if my tax dollars were being used to fund full fees for non resident students at the expense of California students. None of my capable children has ever been offered full rides. That’s why they have the differential. So the amounts your friends have received are typically book funds in California.</p>