International Financial Aid app--utterly confused...please help!

<p>I'm an international student (from Canada) who is applying to five US schools and needs financial aid. Do I complete the CSS profile and submit it on Collegeboard, or do something else (like a separate form online (?)). I know the deadline is like tomorrow and it's kind of urgent but I am really confused...please help me, thanks!</p>

<p>It depends on each school's requirements. You would have to check on their website for what they require.</p>

<p>I completed my CSS Profile form for my universities...is the CSS profile like the commonapp of financial aid? Also, what does priority filling mean?</p>

<p>CSS is a form for applying for financial aid. Not all schools accept CSS (only @300 out of x000 universities in the US) which is why you have to check each school. Some schools will accept CSS for Canadian students, some may want something else. It is very important to check at the website for each school to make sure you are submitting what they require. It should only take a matter of minutes to find this information.</p>

<p>Priority deadline means the deadline you must meet you get the best consideration for financial aid. Missing this deadline does not necessarily mean you will get no aid. But those who meet the deadline will be considered first for aid. Those that do not meet the deadline will be considered for aid money remains after awarding aid to the ones that met the deadline. If there is limited funding you may miss out by missing the deadline.</p>

<p>ohh...okay thanks, that cleared a few things up for me</p>

<p>dyd - Are you from Ontario?
If so, OSAP I believe will fund your studies and you will find the funding generally more generous that federal FAFSA loans. Please look into it. I realize OSAP doesn't gear up until May...you may also wish for an extension on acceptance in order to see how much is avail. via osap. (The universities still need the CSS form to evaluate your family's fiscal strength for institutional aid.)
Good luck.
K</p>

<p>thanks, I am from Ontario...i applied to five u.s. universities: MIT, Cornell, JHU, Tufts, and UMich as well as three Canadian: Toronto, Waterloo, and Queen's...I'll be counting on OSAP for the last three but for the first five I think I need CSS, since these five schools all accept (and need them). JHU and MIT also need a separate form to be mailed in (international aid form), which i think caused the initial confusion for me.</p>

<p>Hi there. I guess what I am saying is that if you are living in Ontario I believe you are entitled to apply for and use OSAP instead of the U.S. federal program (called FAFSA). I believe OSAP will give you "something" toward your U.S. schools as well. And I think it is actually a better deal than a lot of the loans you get in the U.S. due to the debt forgiveness etc. Eg. FAFSA freshman can borrow up to $5,500 at 6.8% interest...OSAP I've seen give up to $11,000 and is more generous with grants...) Please check the OSAP site. I have a hunch I can save you some $ on the loan side : )</p>

<p>Now, with respect to the CSS...yes, you must file that for schools that ask...the schools use the info to evaluate your family's financial strength and determine if you're eligible for need-based aid, especially aid that comes from the school itself. I should warn you that UMich, for example, goes on record saying it cannot meet the full demonstrated need of out-of-state or international students. That said, there have been posts from out-of-state students who've referred to getting 90% of what they needed through UM grants and loans -- so do try!</p>

<p>Also, the "statement" -- immigration makes the universities here collect statements essentially saying you have sufficient funding to attend school in the U.S. That is to avoid having students on temporary visas drop out, work illegally and slip through the formal immigration channels. You have to be "self sufficient" to stay in the U.S. for extended periods. So that's what those forms are about, just in case it wasn't explained to you.
You've got some great schools lined up!
Good luck!
Cheers,
K</p>