<p>I'm an international student planning to study in the states.</p>
<p>From couple of my friends that have graduated, I heard that because they had asked for financial aid, they didn't get into the reach school they wanted. One of my friend had perfect GPA, a lot of extra curricular, and spectacular essays...etc, but asked for financial aid, so he did not get into the ivy's. </p>
<p>I told my parents about this and they said that if this will hurt my chance of getting admitted into schools, they could afford the 30k 40k tuition. However, this doesnt mean that my parents are comfortable paying these amount. It just simply means that my dad could work extra hours at the hospital/night shift, and earn the money needed. I also have a little sister that is going to attend a private middle school in Japan, which also has a pretty high tuition. </p>
<p>Therefore, I want to ask you guys, 1) does asking for financial aid affect my chances, 2) do you think I'll be able to get financial aid and 3) if I don't ask for FA when applying, can I get FA while I'm in school?</p>
<p>Yes, it decreases your chances at most school by asking for aid. There are a few that are need blind for internationals, but you would need to be a very top student in your country and the competition from Japan is brutal.</p>
<p>Whether or not you can get aid will depend on your parent’s income and assets and/or your academic merit depending on the school.</p>
<p>It’s highly unlikely you will get aid once you’re in the US, you will need to get it from the start.</p>
<p>Very true…
and most schools require the parents of internationals to submit documentation that guarantees that the family will be financially responsible for all of your expenses (for education and personal needs) in order to be admitted AND to receive an education visa. So, essentially, if you got accepted to a ranked private, your parents would have to provide documentation that they are willing to pay $50k+ per year for your education.</p>
<p>Also, since your dad is a physician, his income may be too high even for help from ivies such as Harvard. Harvard is a super reach for the best of the best students, but you’ve added that your SAT isn’t that high. And, the competition amongst other Japanese students is huge.</p>
<p>And, no, generally you can’t apply for F/A later. Colleges don’t want to accept kids while under the impression that they don’t need aid, only to have them apply for aid later.</p>
<p>Thank you guys so much for the help. But additional information…
I’m not really applying form Japan. My dad is a diplomat, so I’ve been traveling around the world and I currently live in Peru, so I’ll be applying from Peru. </p>
<p>At the same time, I do understand that I’m still Japanese and the people I’m competing against is insanely smart. But I do have a really interesting story to tell (with my traveling and living in crazy places), although that probably won’t help me with FA. </p>
<p>While you guys are here to help me…I get confused with all the different types of FA. There is merit based, and need based, and need blind? Sorry I’m just so confused, if you guys explain those for me that would be great. I have done research on them, its just that none of the sites I look at give me an easy, concise answer to what exactly each of them are.</p>
<p>Merit-based scholarships are based on high school stats (not many available for int’l students).</p>
<p>Need-based Financial Aid - parents provide documentation about their income, and if their income is low enough, the student might get a financial aid package. But don’t let that mislead you. Nearly all Financial Aid is for citizens and residents only. A few schools, like the ivies look at need to determine how much they need to award you in aid, and some do include Internationals. However, your parents’ income may be too high. Does your dad work as a doctor or diplomat or both?</p>
<p>Need-blind. Some colleges like the ivies don’t look at whether an applicant needs F/A before deciding to accept the student. </p>
<p>The problem is you’re an international and your parents probably have a high income. Only a small number of schools give aid to international students, and even fewer give aid to internationals from high incomes.</p>
<p>While it’s hard, it’s not impossible. If you have strong grades and scores and a good story it’s certainly worth a shot applying.</p>
<p>To get an idea what your family would be expected to pay, use some on the online calculators and call colleges for information. It becomes complex for diplomats as they often get benefits in place of cash that colleges will count as income. </p>
<p>The bottom line is that almost everyone, Americans and internationals, are typically surprised by how much their family is expected to pay. So get a good handle on this before looking at schools.</p>
<p>With high stats, merit scholarships which don’t consider income might have more appeal. These are usually not full scholarships, and again, your family would probably have to contribute significantly.</p>
<p>Bottom line, internationals who are not very top students have a hard time getting enough money but you won’t know unless you try.</p>
<p>Are you at an international school now in Peru? If you are, and it follows the US system, the guidance counselors should be very familiar with students in your kind of situation. Talk with them about your options.</p>
<p>You also should spend some time reading everything at [International</a> Students - EducationUSA](<a href=“http://www.educationusa.state.gov/]International”>http://www.educationusa.state.gov/) Then you should make an appointment with the counselors at the advising center closest to you. There are several in Peru. If the staff is anything like the folks I used to work with in the office in Caracas, they will be very helpful.</p>