Hi, my first post on CC forum!
My son got his US citizenship from me but he has not lived in US. My husband is not US citizen and we live outside of US. Now DS is exploring his uni options and are considering to study in US. As all of you know the tuition is quite scary. I am really not familiar with the different financial aids and how they work. I know some are merit based and your background makes no difference, but there are also federal based(?) financial aid I read, so really not sure whether DS is qualified and what other options are available. any advice is appreciated.
If he is a US citizen, he will qualify for federal aid (loans, grants). He can also qualify for any scholarships and grants that are limited to US citizens. It is unlikely he’d qualify for any state aid because you most likely are not a resident of any state.
Some schools have their own aid that is limited to citizens or admissions is different for non-citizens. He’ll be considered in the citizen group.
Your son can complete a FAFSA form because he is a U.S. citizen…BUT the only guaranteed forms of aid are a $5500 federally funded loan…and any portion of the Pell Grant to which you are entitled. The maximum Pell Grant is $5900…but that would go to someone with a FAFSA family contribution of $0.
Also, your son doesn’t LIVE in the U.S. He will considered as an out of state student at all public universities…and this will be more costly. Privates are expensive too.
Are you very low income? Remember, your husband’s and your incomes will need to be put on the FAFSA (and if needed, the Profile) forms. You will be using income from 2016. It doesn’t matter where that money was earned.
Does your son have outstanding GPAand SAT or ACT scores? What are they? Would he be a competitive applicant for schools that meet full need? Will your family (with all incomes reported from mom and dad) be such that you would qualify for need based aid?
The total federal aid of $5500 loan, and potential for $5900 Pell grant (if you are very low income…), won’t pay for your college costs here.
dear twoinanddone, thank you, I will look into financial aids for different universities.
Dear thumper1, thanks for the info. so do you mean the maximum aid from FAFSA, if qualified is &5500 loan and &5900 grant? although I would not think we are considered low income but I have no idea what that threshold is.
I have looked at the FAFSA web and it seems they need us to input info from the US tax forms. I dont work and have no income so I have not filed tax return for ages. my husband is not US citizen so he does not file US tax return neither. so am a bit confused at what to input.
my son’s school does not report on the GPA so I dont know what his GPA is, but he is not top top of the class. His ACT scores are pretty good though, composite 35. usually what would be the income level that is qualified for need based aid?
Welcome to CC
You state that you are not low income. This means that it is unlikely that you will qualify for a grant.
Each school has a net price calculator. You will need to convert your household income to US dollars. Please be aware that it may not be accurate if you are self employed, a business owner or own real estate other than your primary home.
If you know you sob’s gpa and sat oerhao we can recommend some s hooks where he may be a viable candidate for merit aid.
You will need to report both yours and your husband’s incomes on your son’s FAFSA. It doesn’t matter where that money was earned.
The net price calculator might be a little off for you because your income was not earned in this country. But that income DOES need to be reported.