Hello.
I am a junior this fall (class of 2017) and I am a South Korean citizen currently living in the US under an E2 visa. This restrict me by not allowing me to apply for FAFSA. When I become 21 years old, I am required to change my E2 visa to an international student’s (F1) visa. My current stance is that if I chose to go in-state for college, I am allowed to pay the in-state tuition. However, if I chose to go out-of-state, then I must pay the international students’ tuition. I am planning on applying for some in-state colleges, but I would REALLY like to go to a college/university that is out-of-state. Because the expenses are pretty out of my family’s reach, I am searching for some scholarships before my senior year. I am an only child who has done almost everything independently since my parents do not know much English nor about US colleges. Because of this, I am in a situation where I don’t know which scholarships are available for students like me. I have tried researching a bit with my counselor last year, but we couldn’t really find much. If anyone could help and recommend some ideas, it would be really appreciated.
Thank you!
Only US citizens and permanent residents can file FAFSA and get federal aid.
Most students get aid from the colleges itself. Either from having ‘need’ AND the colleges gives good need aid OR having merit in the form of high test scores and gpa. It isn’t realistic to expect to pay most of college from outside scholarship. Especially as you are an international student most will be off limits. Look for colleges that claim to ‘meet 100 pct need.’
It will help if you let us know your stats and the state you are in.
My neighbor is in the exact situation. He is considered in state for one university but international by another university even within the same state he lives. So you should fine out whether you are eligible to in state tuition even for the state you are currently resided. In some case, it is independent of your visa status. Id you are consideres international anyway, you may apply to other. OOS schools as well. You may still be eligible to merit aids.
What are your stats? How much do your parents earn each year?
There’s merit aid available for international students at a good number of colleges. Please post your GPA and test scores.
@BrownParent @Madison85 @Lilliana330
My GPA is a 3.876 out of 4.0 and I am currently in the top 10% of my class.
I currently live in the state of Colorado.
My SAT score is a 2250; ACT score is a 34; and a SAT Math II Subject test score of a 760
Also, my parents’ income is in the $40,000 to $60,000 range.
Hope this helps.
@BrownParent @Madison85 @Lilliana330
My GPA is a 3.876 out of 4.0 and I am currently in the top 10% of my class.
I currently live in the state of Colorado.
My SAT score is a 2250; ACT score is a 34; and a SAT Math II Subject test score of a 760
Also, my parents’ income is in the $40,000 to $60,000 range.
Hope this helps.
You should apply for Questbridge! It is a detailed application so start it as soon as possible le. The deadline is September 28. Non-citizens are eligible if they will graduate from a U.S. high school.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/questbridge-programs/
It’s Questbridge National College Match program.
Don’t wait!
@Madison85 thank you so much. I really appreciate it!
Every year I read about kids who wait until the last day to click submit on their completed Questbridge application and have computer issues. Don’t do that!
Re tuition at OOS publics…do you understand that you will be paying the OOS costs to attend unless your family moves to that state? The only place where you will have instate status for tuition purposes…at public universities…is in the state in which your parents reside.
This is the same whether you are international or not. OOS students pay OOS rates.
You are actually fortunate that your state allows you to pay instate costs at their public universities being an international student. Some states do not allow this…at all.
How much can your family pay towards college each year?
Even if your parents were to move, you would NOT get instate rates because you are an int’l. The only reason you’re getting instate rates in your state is because you went to HIGH SCHOOL there. Moving would not give you instate rates elsewhere.
With your stats, you could get free tuition at Alabama if you apply well before Dec 15th (int’ls need to apply well before the deadline because of processing). If you are an eng’g or CS major, you would also get 2500 per year.
HOWEVER, your family would have to pay all the other costs…room, board, books, travel, etc.
How much will your parents pay each year? Ask them, please don’t guess.
You will not be able to attend most OOS publics simply because they won’t be affordable. There may be some privates that would give you enough aid, but they can be hard to get into as an int’l.
Do your parents own a business here?
As I mentioned above, it is up to the policy of the schools rather than the state when granting in state tuition to non-resident. For instance, UMich grant in state tuition to students attended the last 3 years of HS in Michigan disregarding state residency.