<p>Good evening College Confidential</p>
<p>I would appreciate if you can help me with this subject because I'm frustrated with this.</p>
<p>I'm an international student who got accepted to a very good college (Manhattanville College). However I cannot pay for the full cost of attendance, which is about $53000
I applied for all the scholarships available and I also applied for financial aid. However, the most they could offer me was $31000. They even said on the award letter that this was the highest offer they made in the 2013 academic year, and I feel kind of honored (in some way, even though it's still a small amount for me). I sent an email asking if there was any possible chance for me to get a little more aid, but unfortunately they told me they can't because they already offered me the most they can for international students.
I asked them if I could get loans from them, but they told me they do not give loans to international students.
I already spent DAYS looking for any way to afford this education. I searched on Fastweb, IEFA, and the EducationUSA website, but I didn't found anything.
Right now my parents can just afford to pay $5000 each year, but that sill leaves me with $18000. Does anyone here knows of any outside scholarship I could apply to? I really need this! I CAN'T ask for a loan in my country because two reasons:
1. My dad asked for a loan when we were on financial crisis and he didn't payed it on the time span. He took like 10 years to pay for the loan, and I think he still owes them.
2. My family doesn't owns a house. My dad pays a monthly rent, and EVERY single bank in my country asks for a collateral (which is the house) when asking for a loan, and since niether I nor my dad owns a house, we can't ask for a loan.</p>
<p>Can anyone here give me some advice or aid, please? I applied to 10 other colleges, and I was rejected to all of them because of financial reasons (Even though some were full-need, they told me they couldn't afford to give me a lot of money). However, Manhattanville was the ONLY one to accept me and offer me the most they could, and I feel like I can't disappoint them. I know many wise and experienced parents, or alumni with same troubles, or even some international students on my same position will read this, and I BEG all of you: please help me. I don't know what else to do or where else to look.
I really would hate to miss the opportunity to study in the USA. I spent my life-savings on the TOEFL, SAT, and Admission fees. I wasted $400 from my savingas (my dad couldn't afford this) and watching how this money was spent uselessly really hurts me a lot.
Is there anything I can do?</p>
<p>Thanks everyone and I hope you all have a nice day.</p>
<p>I’m sorry you’re going through this, and I hope someone might have some ideas. But if it’s any consolation, there are many, many American students, and students from around the world, who are in the same situation: accepted to a school they can’t afford. Most end up going elsewhere, or staying in their home country. </p>
<p>Sadly, trying to get into an American university with significant financial aid is a bit like playing the lottery. </p>
<p>PS… Tuition rises every year, often 8-12%. So while you’re short of $18,000 (plus your airfare to the US) in the first year, you’d be short a lot more than that by your last. </p>
<p>PS… No need to worry you’ll “disappoint” Manhattanville. Schools are used to being ‘rejected’ by students who simply don’t have the money to attend.</p>
<p>Hi Guille19,
First, I’d like to mention that I am of Salvadorean descent, so I understand your financial worries. Most Salvadorian workers do not earn the wages of those from the U.S. However, no school in the U.S. is worth that amount. Second, you are already in major advantage because you write and speak English. Meaning, you really will not have a hard time living as a professional in El Salvador. I think you should really make the best of living in El Salvador. Most of your citizens can’t even afford a penny to go to college. You have that option of still attending college in El Salvador.
Third, don’t be blind! You are so young and making this decision really sounds foolish to me! Most of our students in the U.S. can’t even find a job after college! In fact, most can’t even pay back their $100,000 loans! So, be grateful that you can’t take out any! (Search “college debt” on YouTube and you’ll see what I mean.)
Lastly, No school is generous enough to give out a full ride to internationals. Universities are businesses. They want to COLLECT money, not GIVE money. I do believe you want to educate yourself here in America. But it’s not worth the money. Come here when you are educated at a college level and try to secure a job here instead! </p>
<p>Ps. I hope I didn’t hurt your feelings. I just don’t believe college is worth more than 5,000 a year.
I, myself, am in college. But I chose a community college to save money. I was accepted to colleges that offered close to nothing in financial aid. So, I did the educational thing by choosing community college. I always encourage my friends the affordable route!</p>
<p>Anyways, Best of luck in your decision!</p>
<p>Guille, sorry to be another bearer of bad news but financial aid to international students is very limited. You cannot take out loans to match that amount.</p>
<p>You can’t afford to go to Manhattanville. For your visa, they would require proof that you could afford to go to school in the US. </p>
<p>Sorry, it doesn’t sound like you can go. You are in the same position as a large number of students in the US.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone who replied! </p>
<p>I see… so there’s no really point in trying to get any more financial aid… <em>sigh</em>
I guess I’ll contact Manhattanville and tell them that I won’t be able to attend. Damnit =/</p>
<p>Thanks for trying to see the bright side here. I guess it would be unwise to ask such a huge amount of loans, and I guess I really don’t stand a chance anymore</p>
<p>@MaryLou1: Really? That’s cool (the salvadoran heritage). You are wrong in some aspects, sadly. First, at least half of the population here understands English and speak it a little (maybe not as good as me, but they still do). Second, the education here CAN’T be compared to the one on the USA. Education here is poor and very limited. Also, it’s not that I don’t want to be a professional, but my biggest dream was to work in the USA, specially on Google, Apple or Facebook (my desired major was Computer Science). Now that I won’t be able to study in the USA, I really don’t have a chance to work in those places. Besides, being a salvadoran professional is not as half as good as being an American professional. An american professional opens many doors to a successful job, while a salvadoran one doesn’t gets many opportunities afterwards.
And also I have my personal reasons for not liking El Salvador (this country is full of close-minded and discriminatory persons)</p>
<p>Anyways… It just sucks not be able to attend the USA despite my harsh efforts. I guess I’ll just have to suck it up.</p>
<p>I’ll try one more time by talking personally with the EducationUSA. Hopefully they can advice me in something…</p>
<p>I’m sorry to hear that, I hope the best in your college search next year. Aim for high SAT scores and I’m sure you’ll find yourself in America. Make sure you never put your parents in a financial burden and choose a school wisely. I wish our government was able to provide money for intelligent students like you. Unfortunately our government is corrupted and has financial aid for students who aren’t bright. (Through experience I’ve witnessed this.)
I also understand your reason for leaving El Salvador, it’s been getting very dangerous. I get nervous each time I visit!
Anyways, best of luck and if i can suggest a great program: columbia university general studies program. Apply next year and I’m sure they will be willing to invest in you. (If they have your major)</p>