This discussion was created from comments split from: International FA.
<p>Hey guys I just wanted to know more about financial aid…if some1 is from a upper middle class family but due to some reasons feel they need financial aid, could they be given financial aid like other students or would they be discriminated against?
Also, I wanted to find out are there other things that qualify one to gain financial aid, like maybe sat scores? So for some1 with an average sat score, would ey still be able to gain financial aid ?
Lastly do financial aid apply to international student they way eh apply to home students or is there any difference
?
Thanks guys </p>
<p>Well … </p>
<p>What is “upper middle class” to YOU? The answer to this question varies greatly. </p>
<p>If you need aid, you are always eligible (no matter how much “upper middle class” is to you) to receive at least $5500 in unsubsidized loans as a freshman, assuming you are eligible for federal aid. If you are not eligible for federal aid, there is no guaranteed aid for you.</p>
<p>I consider my family upper middle class, and we received aid at an expensive private school but no aid (other than loans) at public schools. You may not consider me to be upper middle class, though.</p>
<p>Here is my response from the OTHER thread this student has going on this forum. </p>
<p>Need based financial aid is based on your family income and assets. Your colleges will have policies for awarding need based aid. YOU will not be discriminated against at all. If your colleges determine you should get need based aid, you will get it…no more or less an guarantee than ANY other student applying.</p>
<p>You do need to know that some colleges award LESS need based aid, or NO need based aid to international students.</p>
<p>Merit awards are based on your SAT scores and GPA. What exactly do you view as an “average” SAT score. Merit scholarships are for high achieving students. Are you high achieving?</p>
<p>Some colleges do not award merit aid to international students. Some do. Some award limited aid to international students. It varies by college.</p>
<p>You’re an int’l without much/any “need” but you want money. That means merit. What are your stats? </p>
<p>Your choices will be very slim if you’re an int’l who needs a lot of merit. an “avg score” isn’t going to get much/any merit at the schools that you’d likely want to go to.</p>
<p>How much will your parents pay? </p>
<p>What is your major and what schools are you looking at?</p>
<p>edited to add…</p>
<p>Oh my…you’re an int’l transfer student? Sorry but unless your parents are going to pay for most/all of your costs, your chances are next to nil.</p>
<p>Also, your GPA was 3.0 your first year and 1.5 your second year. Getting ACCEPTED will be your first challenge as your application will be reviewed in the (usually VERY strong) international pool of applicants. These college grades do NOT put you in good standing for merit money…which is awarded for academic excellence. </p>
<p>Is there some reason why you can’t complete your bachelors degree where you are NOW? </p>
<p>"Also, your GPA was 3.0 your first year and 1.5 your second year. "</p>
<p>??</p>
<p>Why would an int’l think that American universities are going to fund them to go to college here with those grades…and as a transfer student? Do you realize that domestic students wouldn’t get funding?</p>
<p>
One of the more interesting usages of the term “discriminated against” that I’ve ever seen.</p>