If I have a H-4 visa, do I count as an international student when applying to college?

[savior777]

So, I’ve always thought I was considered an international student until I saw a page on StonyBrook University’s website stating that students with an H4 visa can apply as a domestic student. Though I will e-mail the schools I’m interested later for this info, I just wanted to know whether other schools follow this policy and whether anyone else got to apply as such?

[SJ2727]

At the colleges my daughter looked at, you have to be a citizen or green card holder to be considered a domestic applicant, so definitely check by college.

Be aware that there will be restrictions against working on campus on an H4 visa, and that if you turn 21 while you are at college you will need to change status to F1 to remain in the US.

[sybbie719]

This is actually what Stony Brook say:

@Stony Brook

If you are in or plan to enter the United States in another non-immigrant status, you may or may not need to obtain F-1 or J-1 student status in order to study at Stony Brook University. **For example, most dependents (such as H-4 dependents) are permitted to study while accompanying their family members in the U.S. **

However, many non-immigrant statuses carry immigration restrictions on employment that may make it desirable to seek F-1 status. Some typical situations include the following:

The following immigration classifications are not permitted to study or to lawfully accept employment while in the U.S.:
Tourists (individuals admitted in WT / WB or B-1 / B-2 status) are not eligible to study while in the United States, and must obtain F-1 status to study.
F-2 dependents are not permitted to pursue academic study and must switch to F-1 status.

The following immigration classifications are permitted to study, but may not lawfully accept employment while in the U.S.:
[color =red]H-4 dependents of H-1 temporary workers[/color]

https://www.stonybrook.edu/undergraduate-admissions/apply/international/visa-classifications/

You apply as a domestic student to the extent that you are permitted to study in the US and will not have to obtain a visa to study in the U.S.

however,

This does not mean that you are eligible for Federal or State aid.
It does not mean that it is a need blind admissions process.
You still need to meet the NYS residency requirement in order to be charged in-state tuition

[happymomof1]

You also need to pay careful attention as to when you will age-out of the H4 status. At that time you will need to convert to an F1.

[savior777]

oh, I guess I understood it wrong. Thank you!

[savior777]

But (since I’m ok with being considered need-aware) would I be put with the other international students when my app is being reviewed? That’s my biggest concern as of now.

[SJ2727]

I would think international, due to the fact you’d have to indicate yourself as “other, non-US” (you’re not a US citizen or permanent resident and there is no separate category for those currently residing in the US on non-immigrant visas.)

[happymomof1]

Truly, this is a question for you to take up with the individual admissions offices. Yes, someone familiar with your US high school will read your US transcript and letters of recommendation. And yes, if you also have an international transcript and letters of recommendation, those will be read by someone familiar with that country and school system. Also yes if you are considered in-state for tuition and fes at public institutions in your state of residence and/or eligible for state aid in that state, those factors will enter in. However, there are a lot of different factors that affect your admission, and each place will juggle them differently. None of us are positioned to state with certainty whether or not your admission is more likely than a true international with your profile.