International Student, American Citizen, FAFSA

<p>My situation is a little unusual. So i am an american citizen, but my family moved to germany and i have been going to german schools ever since (btw my english is perfect). I really want to attend schools in the united states and my parents and i have been doing some research, we came to the conclusion that it would be easiest to apply as an international student, because there is no way for me to take the SATs or any other standarized test in my area besides the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language --> which is required for int. students). So because money is an issue i was wondering if i would still be eligible for FAFSA, eventhough i would be applying as an international student?</p>

<p>You would apply as a US citizen residing outside the US. You would be eligible for financial aid, but would not have any state residency for lower in-state tuition at any state university.</p>

<p>Applying as an international student would not necessarily exempt you from taking the SAT or ACT at schools which require those tests.</p>

<p><a href=“SAT Test Center Search – SAT Suite | College Board”>The SAT – SAT Suite | College Board; indicates that there are SAT test locations in Germany.</p>

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See <a href=“http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2014/10/10/germany_college_is_free_there_even_for_foreign_students_why.html[quote]You”>Germany: College is free there, even for foreign students. Why?

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<p>That was me. And I took the SATs there. Applied to US colleges, got aid and scholarships that made it possible to go to the US for college. Didn’t take TOEFL. Do make sure you even qualify to take it as a US citizen which is what you are. The admissions and possibly fin aid situation is better for you as a US citizen at most schools, since a number of schools exclude internationals from aid, scholarships and some even make admissions need aware, plus there may be a quota in place for a country. As a US citizen, you avoid all of that. </p>

<p>cptofthehouse -</p>

<p>Each college and university sets its own requirement for English proficiency exams. This has nothing to with citizenship. It has to do with the question of whether or not the applicant has sufficient skills in Academic English. If the primary language of instruction at the OP’s secondary school was not English, it is almost certain that the OP will be required to submit results of the TOEFL, IELTS, or another exam chosen by the college/university.</p>

<p>And to OP might still be required to take the SAT to gain admission to an American university. P.S…OP, you are not an international student…you are an American citizen who happens to live abroad. Your application will be reviewed along with other students applying from your area abroad. But for all other purposes, you will be viewed as an American citizen.</p>

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So because money is an issue i was</p>

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<p>FAFSA is an app for federal aid with isn’t much. If your family is low income, you might qualify for a small Pell Grant. that won’t pay for college. Most American kids do NOT get much aid for college. Most have to pay for most costs themselves.</p>

<p>Have your parents run the Net Price Calculators on the schools’ websites (don’t use HYPS, because theirs will give you an inaccurate perspective.)</p>

<p>I don’t think you can apply as an int’l. </p>

<p>As an American student living abroad, you will 1° be evaluated along with applicants who went to German schools 2° will need to take the SAT and TOEFL at about any university that gives financial aid and 3° will be considered as an American citizen for financial aid and therefore will qualify for more aid AND will not go through the gauntlet that is international financial aid decisions.
To see how lucky you are that you’ll NOT be considered international, read this:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1606501-help-me-predict-am-i-doomed-to-enter-community-college-or-have-a-gap-year.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1606501-help-me-predict-am-i-doomed-to-enter-community-college-or-have-a-gap-year.html#latest&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Register as a standby for both SAT and ACT. Spend every possible minute you have preparing (easy books for students raised outside the standardized test culture: Princeton Review’s ACT/SAT, and Up your score ACT/SAT.)
Register for question of the day and practice. Schedule at least two practice tests before the date of the test, one untimed, one timed.</p>