<p>Hi, so I really want to study in the US, I'm thinking of doing Journalism, Film or Media Studies but the cost is putting me off. I come from a low income family who can't afford to support me while I study so I would have to work on campus (if possible) which I don't mind doing but I have to show that I am able to support myself and most want around $25,000 which we definitely can't afford. Are there any colleges or universities (not community) that offer a reasonable amount of financial aid to internationals, I don't mind if it is in the form of loans etc.
Also are there any universities that don't require the SAT's or ACT tests because I don't do very well in exams, I know that many want them but there must be a couple that don't because I honestly do believe that tests are not the right way to determine whether a student is right for the university, I mean for some people they do really well on exams but for me and many others exams aren't for us and well I don't want the university to throw my application to one side because of a very low exam result when my A Level results (from last year were ABD... Yes I'm not happy with the D but I have a very good reason why I got it)</p>
<p>So you’re asking for a school to give you a lot of money and NOT ask you to be academically apt?..</p>
<p>@Adversa No not at all. I am willing to put in the hard work for me to get the good grades. I just fail exams, I got A’s B’s and C’s in coursework over the past two years but got a D in an exam with the same subject, point proven?</p>
<p>Why are you struggling on exams? Do you have a learning disability that might warrant additional testing time or other accommodations? Do you get too nervous to focus under test pressure? Do you struggle when you have to work without assistance or reference material? </p>
<p>Unfortunately, you are not going to get significant financial aid without SAT or ACT scores. Especially not with your A-level results. One major reason that colleges give out scholarships in the first place is to attract students with high SAT scores, which will make the college appear more selective and improve their ranking. Standardized test scores (like SATs or A-levels) are also the best way to compare applicants from different schools. Colleges don’t know the standards at your school and what exactly your course grades mean, but they do know what an SAT score means.</p>
<p>Do you have something that make the schools want you? Arts, music, or athletics?</p>
<p>b@r!um - I get too nervous and can’t focus properly sadly. Also I’m resitting my A Levels this year to hopefully get better grades. No I’m fine without assistance. </p>
<p>4kidsdad - I do majorettes and hoping to join a drama group as soon as I get settled in at my new college.</p>
<p>If you have difficulties focusing, try to get tested for attention deficit disorder. It can be treated. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, without high scores your odds of getting FA are very small. You’ll be competing against top international students with near-perfect grades and scores, all of them trying to tap into a very limited source of financial aid.</p>
<p>@kataliamom- I don’t have ADD it’s just in exams I find it difficult to concentrate because I get so panicky and stressed that it’s hard to concentrate on anything other than that but thank you anyway.</p>