Financial Aid Woes

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>Hey guys! I'm kind of freaking out about International Students Financial Aid Forms. I can't imagine not going to college just because these forms were not filled properly.
Do International Students have a financial aid estimator? I know about the College board one based on the FAFSA.</p>

<p>Does Loan from a bank add to the available resources/parents contribution? Is it used in determining need?</p>

<p>Whatever amount has been certified in the Certification of Finances, does it account for estimated contribution from the family?</p>

<p>Does anyone know any formula for determining need for internationals?</p>

<p>My dad's retiring in two years. Should I mention this in the special circumstances section? Would this aid or hurt my chance of admission?</p>

<p>Really freaking out!</p>

<p>Help!</p>

2

<p>

Some colleges have a policy not to adjust the aid of international students once they are enrolled. If your dad’s retirement will impact your ability to pay for college, you should discuss your options before you even apply (or right now, but don’t wait until April). You might have to make adjustments to your college list. </p>

<p>

The financial aid offers I got a few years ago expected a higher contribution than the one I indicated on the Certification of Finances and Financial Aid Application. </p>

<p>

If you live in a country where the cost of living is comparable to the cost of living in the US, the Collegeboard calculator will give you a reasonably good estimate. (In fact, I was told by the financial aid office that they determined my contribution with the same algorithm they used for American students because Germany is similar enough to the US.) The figure might be a lot higher than you expect! If you live in a country where the cost of living is a lot higher or a lot lower than in the US, there is no openly accessible calculator to determine your need.</p>

3

<p>Hey Thanks!</p>

<p>That was pretty useful. I have to be very careful with those forms then.</p>

<p>Let me know, when you applied, how did you decide on financial safeties?</p>

4

<p>For international students there aren’t really any safety schools period (unless you’re related to the dean or something). The closest thing you have to a financial safety is a school that is need-blind towards internationals. That said, those schools (such as Harvard or Princeton) are anything but safeties because even though they are the most affordable schools given the funds they have, they are high reaches for just about anyone.</p>

5

<p>Hey Thanks!! I think things are getting clear finally.</p>