<p>Hi,
I'm an international student (canadian) who goes to high school in the US. I'm mostly applying to the schools that are need blind for canadians/internationals(HYP, Dartmouth, Penn etc.). However, my parents don't believe that these schools are honest about their need blind policy toward internationals, so they don't want me to apply for financial aid so I have a higher chance of getting in. Of course, they will contribute if I do attend, but not much. (I have a family of 6 with about 140K income). I'm really worried about graduating from college with 200k in debt. </p>
<p>You have no choice but to apply for financial aid.</p>
<p>Even if your parents are right that applying for financial aid will hurt your chances of getting in, what is the point of getting in if you ultimately can’t afford to go there if you have no financial aid.???</p>
<p>The fact is they have no problem with me graduating with debt. So if I do get in they will most likely force me to go to the prestigious school over schools I can afford :(</p>
<p>In addition to what Waverly said, they might not even qualify to co-sign your debt for the entire four years of college, if loan is the primary financing vehicle. Do the know that?</p>
<p>They are willing to make it their debt, but it will be very hard for them/me to pay it back considering our current financial situation. Looks like I’ll have to either convince them to apply for financial aid or sabotage my own app :(</p>
<p>Well, apply like they want you to, but then when you can’t afford it, and can’t get enough loans either, your parents will finally learn an important lesson, and you can attend a less expensive school to which you are also accepted. Good luck.</p>
<p>Wait, is it possible at schools like HYP to apply for aid after the first year? If so, I’ll be willing to pay for the first year then apply for aid the year after.</p>
<p>Some schools have a rule that if you don’t apply for aid as a Freshman, you can not apply for aid until you have 60 credits, or for your junior year. You will not “sabotage” yourself by checking the box to say you will be applying for aid.</p>
<p>First, the “edge” for not applying for financial aid at the Ivies for acceptance is miniscule at best. </p>
<p>Second, your parents will have to cosign these “loans”. YOU will not be able to secure them on your own.</p>
<p>Third, what good will an acceptance to ANY school do if you can’t pay the bills?</p>
<p>Fourth, hope you have some affordable schools on your application list.</p>
<p>Fifth, in MOST cases at the Ivies, if you do not apply for INSTITUTIONAL aid as an incoming freshman, you cannot apply for it in future years. </p>
<p>Sixth, agreed with Happymom…can you use the FAFSA? You would have to check your visa status. I don’t know about Canada, but other international students MUST show evidence of being able to pay their college costs (this can include student financial aid and/or APPROVED loans) to get a student visa to attend college here.</p>
<p>Wait, is it possible at schools like HYP to apply for aid after the first year? If so, I’ll be willing to pay for the first year then apply for aid the year after</p>
<p>Many schools do not want people gaming the system this way, so they won’t let you apply for aid unless there’s been a major family issue…such as death of the main breadwinner or long-term job loss.</p>
<p>This is so dumb, I just don’t even know what to say. </p>
<p>THOUSANDS of internationals have benefited from their stated need-blind policy. This is a point of pride among the ivies. Why would they lie? Why would your parents not believe them?</p>
<p>This is one of those rare cases where you can actually quantify stupidity in terms of actual dollar figures. You would be paying hundreds of thousands of dollars more for the exact SAME outcome!</p>
<p>However, my parents don’t believe that these schools are honest about their need blind policy toward internationals, so they don’t want me to apply for financial aid so I have a higher chance of getting in.</p>
<p>A bit ironic, no? It is your parents who are openly trying the game the system. </p>
<p>I’m all for being a critical thinker, but there is no major or overpowering incentive for these colleges to say that they are need blind and then be sneaking around in back rooms and violate their own statements.</p>
<p>A school’s being need-blind or need-aware should be irrelevant to applicants. It doesn’t affect a school’s quality or desirability, only the chance of admission. Yes, internationals with money generally have a higher chance of admission to most schools.</p>