<p>Maybe at “need aware” schools, int’ls are asked how much they can pay? It would make sense. After all, why would a school want to reject a very qualified student who can pay most costs? The school stated THAT needing a LOT of aid was the reason for rejection. The school may be hinting, “hey, if you tell us that you can pay a lot more, then we’ll reverse.” </p>
<p>I know that the student’s FA paperwork indicated that she “needed” a lot of aid. But, schools have wised up and know that many int’ls have more money that what some forms will indicate. </p>
<p>For engineers, an international degree other than from a very few Western countries is virtually useless. That includes China and India. You can practice in your own country, but usually no Western country. And certainly not the US.</p>
<p>As for the OP - something seems odd. You mention “demand” FA? How did you “demand” FA?</p>
<p>I know that there are a set of international students who cannot afford full pay, but will tell US universities they have “no need for FA” and get loans otherwise. Perhaps you should have done more research up front about this university.</p>
<p>That’s not really the issue though. The issue is making sure that for need aware schools the student is putting their best foot forward. Ability to pay is a factor and if there is an ambiguity or an error in their documents that makes it sound as if they can’t afford to pay anything for expensive schools then need-aware schools then they should try to correct/clarify it going forward so that they don’t get rejected again from a school that would love to have them.</p>
<p>That’s a good point. I know that some applications will ask you if you will be applying for financial aid or not but it’s been a while so I had forgotten if the Common Application asks you how much money you can pay. If that’s the case for the school, then it may be that beefing that number up a little bit could help with need-aware schools.</p>
<p>@rhandco What countries do you think most engineers on H-1 have gotten their degree from? India and China. They are very well accepted in the US, the only barrier really being immigration quotas. So getting a degree in the US allows you to compete for jobs in the US, without having to go through the immigration funnel. Degrees from Indian IIT’s are very respected over many US universities, especially for graduate school admissions.</p>
<p>I agree…this poster should continue to apply to colleges that meet full need. The OP has the academic credentials to be accepted. Perhaps a school with a larger endowment will be more generous to this student. </p>
<p>I don’t think the student demanded anything. I think her/his financial aid application form gave the school info that showed more need than the school was able or willing to provide.</p>
<p>@GA2012MOM, as someone else mentioned, there are several foreign countries where Americans studying in universities there are subsidized by the home country.</p>
<p>@thumper1 no it’s not lafayette. but thank you a lot for all of your thoughts. I will apply to other schools for sure (y)
and for the 10k, my family decides that if i really like the uni, they can sacrifice a bit more, which will be quite difficult for them in the first 2 years since my sister is also in college, but can be a bit easier later when she already graduates. @rhandco some uni offer financial aid as a package including grants, loans, and work paids.</p>