<p>A green card means that you're a permanent resident, so you're eligible to apply for FAFSA. So this means it's significantly easier to get scholarships with a green card as compared to without one, right?</p>
<p>But other than financial aid, does having a green card in general also improve your CHANCES of getting into a particular college, as compared to, for example, an international student without one? Or do the legal things not really affect admissions decisions?</p>
<p>Thanks :)</p>
<p>As far as both admissions and financial aid are concerned, a green card holder is treated exactly the same as a US citizen. That means they are in the same pool as US citizens and follow the same rules and criteria when it comes to admissions/FA.</p>
<p>Internationals usually are in a different pool for both admissions and FA. A green card holder is not treated as an international.</p>
<p>Thank you! That makes a lot of sense :)</p>
<p>So if you are a green card holder who is currently also an international student, would that increase your CHANCES of getting into a college versus an international student, or are admissions decisions made without regard to citizenship status?</p>
<p>This is considering that you are generally the same as the international student in all other respects, with the added bonus that you have the dual resident exposure.</p>
<p>What matters is the green card, not where you are living right now. Your chances of admission are waaaaaaaaaaaay better than those of an international applicant. Period.</p>
<p>Since you are currently outside the US, you do need to be aware that you risk losing your green card status if you don’t maintain clear ties with the US. Talk with your family’s immigration lawyer and find out how often you need to travel back here, and how long you need to stay here so that you don’t lose your green card. If you have time while you are in the US, it would be best for you to get a Re-Entry Permit. That way you could stay abroad for almost two years.</p>
<p>The other issue that you may face, is that you probably have no state of residence for tuition and fees. This would mean that you have to pay out-of-state tuition and fees at all public colleges and universities. Check the policies for the public institutions in the state where you last lived, and see if you are considered an in-state resident.</p>
<p>Thank you SO much for that!!! It really cleared up almost all the questions I had! 
I really appreciate it!</p>