I am an international student applying to some top universities that do award merit scholarship. However, as these institutions are need-aware for internationals, should I also apply for financial aid? I would qualify for very little financial aid, if I am admitted, and can afford the cost of attendance without scholarship.
@tennis98 what has changed since you wrote this on December 19?
You say this college said you would receive decent enough need based aid, but they reduced it to $0 based on the info you submitted for financial aid consideration. Your application was switched to EA and you were deferred, right?
You further stated that the net cost of this EA college would be 1/3 the total cost which is what you put your family could pay on the financial aid application forms.
Can you pay the $70,000 or so cost of attendance for all four years…or not? I ask because most colleges do not allow international students to apply for institutional aid in subsequent years if they don’t apply as incoming freshmen.
Also, if your family can afford to pay $70,000 a year, this implies a large income and/or assets. Is that the case? I ask this because the need aware schools will look at your financial need and what they need to offer you in aid. If that is $0, it probably won’t impact admissions.
At need aware schools, not applying for aid might help you…if you can really pay the costs. But with very low admission rates to these top schools anyway, admission isn’t a sure thing even if you are full pay.