<p>Hello everyone.</p>
<p>This year I applied to 6 colleges with financial aid. My SAT scores weren't THAT great, so predictably, I got rejected by all of them. (630 CR 670 M 660W)</p>
<p>I'm an international student from Turkey (not full Turkish) and my lifetime ambition has been going to the U.S. to live there - permanently. And I definitely know that the best possible step to start chasing this dream is by getting a U.S. education.</p>
<p>I do not really have a lot of available funds though. I have studied after my exam, and now I can actually get a much higher score, around the high 2100s - low 2200s. (~640CR,~780M, ~750W)</p>
<p>I don't know if I should take the test again and apply to schools with finaid - again. I'm absolutely sure that I don't want to live here - yet since I have limited finances I'm kind of struggling with getting into a school. All schools that are in my score range are need-aware for intl. students.</p>
<p>Of course, higher scores will increase my chances, along with a better application in general - but there's still no certainty that I will get in any college that will give me finaid.</p>
<p>The absolute maximum that my family can afford is around 5k$/year for my education. </p>
<p>I'm in a lack of options. I fail to see what I can do to get in a U.S. college. I'm trying to earn some money myself but it's highly unlikely that I will be able to pay for a 40k$/year education - myself.</p>
<p>What options do I have at this point? What can I do to ensure a future in the United States?</p>
<p>Thank you for reading.</p>
<p>There’s no such thing as ‘ensuring’ a future in the United States unless you marry and American or win a green card through a lottery (assuming Turkey takes part in this.) </p>
<p>Certainly studying in the US is no guarantee, since by law you will need to leave the US after your education - unless you find a company willing to sponsor you for an appropriate temporary work visa. </p>
<p>That said, to increase your odds of getting financial aid to study in the US, you may have to apply to smaller, lesser known universities or colleges in less popular parts of the country. (For example, in the middle of the US - states like Iowa, Minnesota, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska etc.) Those schools usually attract fewer international applicants, so your odds are a little bit better.</p>
<p>Aim at regional universities and Liberal Arts colleges known for good financial aid (you don’t say if you’re a girl but if so apply to women’s colleges; Macalester, Knox, Earlham in addition to the top LACs?) I second the suggestion by Katliamom to apply primarily in areas where fewer students typically apply, Midwest and South in particular. Finally, you can aim for smaller universities’ honors programs and merit scholarships. Look at the threads at the top of “financial aid”.</p>
<p>“I want to study in the US to stay there permanently” would bar you from getting a student visa, by the way. You get a visa to STUDY, if you plan to do something else, you don’t get a visa.</p>
<p>Higher scores are always better. However, scores don’t make or break your case. Your high school curriculum and grades (mostly A’s in classes that would prepare you for the best opportunities after high school), activities that show initiative and leadership, and a striking essay are equally important. In addition, did you take SAT Subject tests?</p>
<p>
You should apply for an immigrant visa, not F-1 visa which is nonimmigrant visa (no immigrant intent.)
See [Visa</a> Denials under INA 214(B) and Presumption of Immigrant Intent](<a href=“Immigration Road: 404 Page not Found”>Visa Denials under INA 214(B) and Presumption of Immigrant Intent)</p>