how does need based aid work for international applicants?
At a few schools, it works the same as it does for domestic students except there is no possibility of federal loans (school could offer them, I don’t know if any do). At MOST schools, you are limited to what the school offers in merit or its own grants and usually that is not going to be enough to meet your expenses.
is it possible to apply for both need based and merit based? if yes how will that work out?
Some schools do not offer merit aid and often those are the ones offering to meet full need for all students (Harvard, MIT, Amherst, etc).
At schools that do offer merit aid, you can also apply for need based aid, but an international student isn’t eligible for the federal aid, so that cuts out a big chunk of the aid.
What type of schools are you looking at?
Another thing to consider. There are only 5 colleges that are both need aware for admissions AND guarantee to meet full need for all admitted international students. Acceptance rates about 5%.
This means that:
- Some schools will consider your ability to pay when they consider your application for admission.
- Some schools will not meet your full need (actually most schools will not meet your full need).
- Some schools do not give any financial aid to international,students at all.
- Some schools give limited financial aid to international students.
- You will not be eligible for any loans based in this country unless you have a qualified cosigner who is a U.S. citizen.
- You will not be eligible for federal work study. In addition, any hours you work will be limited by your visa.
- You will have to document that you can fund your college costs (this can include financial aid and approved loans) to get your student visa to study here.
- At most colleges...if you get a merit aid award, it actually reduces your financial need...so you pr need based award would be less.
- You will need to check EACH college website to see how the deal with aid for international students.
What is your GPA? What is your SAT or ACT score?
Are you also looking at colleges in your country?
Im doing a levels so idont know about my GPAs and im going to give my ACTs tommorow…
Currently im looking into clark uni, ohio weslyeyan uni, gettysburg college, uni of rochester, beloit college and cornell college(not the famous uni)… i really likes gettysburg but it only gives need based aid so im a little worried
Are you saying you don’t have financial need! Now I’m confused!
Im equally confused… I am applying for one for this falls intake
But i looked into it and gettysburg apparently gives merit based aid for international applicants
@clea13 Please use standard punctuation and capitalization on sites like this one.
Doing so makes your communication easier to read, makes you sound better, and motivates other CC folks to help your cause!
Good luck!
Yes . My family has financial need @thumper1 .
How much aid does your family need for you to attend these colleges? None of the schools you listed above guarantee to meet full need for international students. In other words, it’s unlikely you will get a free ride to any of them.
In terms of merit and need? If you get a merit award, it will reduce your financial need. So your need based award will be reduced. No double dipping.
HOw much can your family afford each year?
The best scholarships come from the colleges. They generally go to students who have tippy top stats (merit aid), or to those who have tippy top stats and have financial need – as determined by the college – (need based aid). There are so many excellent students that it’s very competitive. Some of the schools that give the best aid have single digit admission rates.
It’s a good idea for international students to explore options in their home country because most won’t be able to go away to college in the US. Most US students can’t afford to go away to college either. They live at home and commute to a local community college.
my family can pay upto 10 K each year… do you guys have any good colleges that i can apply to … as an international applicant… colleges that doesnt cost much and is good one?
Come back and ask when you have your ACT score. Also figure out your grades.
There is NO WAY anyone here can realistically suggest colleges to you without your ACT score and your HS grades.
Unless you get accepted at a college that guarantees to meet full need for all accepted international students…it’s going to be hard to find a college here that costs $10,000 a year…or less.
For that level of support, you’ll need excellent stats.
What did you get on your O’Levels/IGCSE’s?
What are you A-level predicted scores?
When you took practice tests, what was your range of scores?
A level scores are :A A B C C
ACT scored haven’t came yet @MYOS1634
What about igcse /olevels(those WILL count.)
Are those a level results actual or predicted results?