International student & aid

Hello, I have a question that is haunting me since I’ve decided to apply to the US. I’m an international student from Europe and I’m going to apply for the financal aid. I live only with my mother - her wage is about 15 000-18 000$ per year (I am not sure though, she never tells me). I don’t have any big savings, only some small amount from my part-time job, thus I need full financal aid package. Do you think that I have a chance for the financal aid? Even though I can’t pay for my education / pay some little amount.

@orenda not enough info to help you.

International students who need full rides need to be tippy top students. Very tippy top.

  1. The colleges that meet full need for all accepted students are amongst the most competitive for admissions in this country.
  2. Most schools that meet full need for all international students are need aware for admissions. This means your ability to pay will be considered when your application for admission is considered.
  3. There are only six colleges that are both need blind for admissions...AND meet full need for all accepted students. Acceptance rates for these colleges is 10% or less. This means 90% of those who apply will not get accepted.
  4. You are not eligible for u.s. Federally funded need based aid...at all.
  5. Your ability to work while you are here will be very limited on a student visa.

I’m not meaning to be a Debbie Downer here, but you need to consider all of this,

  1. What is your SAT or ACT score?
  2. What is your GPA?
  3. What country are you from?
  4. Are there any affordable college options in your country to consider?

@thumper1 thank you for the answer

I’m writing SAT in June, I expect scores about 750 from biology and world history and above 2000 from SAT I. I’m in IB programme, thus I don’t kow how to convert my grades to GPA scale.

No one can tell you your chance for ‘the financial aid’ with only your guesstimate of test scores.

And no one can predict your acceptance at one of the highly competitive colleges where full need is met for all international students.

When would you be enrolling in college?

Okay thank you for the answers, anyway! I’ll do my best.

You and your mother can start by reading through everything at http://educationusa.state.gov
Then follow the links at that website to find the Advising Center closest to where you live. Get in touch with the counselors there. They will be able to tell you where students like you have been admitted in recent years, and whether or not those students received any financial aid. EducationUSA is a not-for profit organization. Any fees that you might be charged will be very small, and will go to the direct support of that local office.

Wishing you all the best!

@happymomof1 thank you so much for your kind words!

Hey Orenda,

Did you apply to any of US universities this year ?

@Alexsan I’m applying next year

Those are the subject SATs. When are you taking the SAT I?

@mom2collegekids in October