International student applying for financial aid, will it affect my chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

<p>I really want to go to Stanford for its innovation, entrepreneurship, and location. However, I'm an Asian international student so that already puts me at a huge disadvantage. Furthermore, I will be applying for financial aid, so will that decrease my chances to basically 0?
Is it possible to apply for an optional financial aid? Right now I'd definitely go to Stanford if I get accepted with financial aid, but I'll probably still go even if I don't get financial aid. Can I indicate somehow that I don't NEED financial aid, but it's good to have?</p>

<p>P.S. Is there anything I can do to improve my chances as an Asian international student? (aside from stuff like raising my marks and scoring higher on SATs).</p>

2

<p>If Stanford wants to have you, you don’t need to worry about whether or not you applied for FA, because it will definitely make sure you can get in there. But if Stanford doesn’t want you, you cannot get in whether you applied for FA or not. The only thing that can help you is to present your true self in your essay. A 2400 is as likely to be rejected as a 2100.</p>

3

<p>Sorry to say this but it is harder for international students to get accepted if they need financial aid. Look up Stanford’s website and the new view book, they state this very clearly. Stanford is not need blind to internationals. Whether you ask for financial aid will affect your admission.</p>

4

<p>Applying for FA will affect your chances. But remember, Stanford has a 17B USD endowment! Once, a representative from Columbia came to our school and I asked him the same question. He said that requesting FA will marginally decrease your chances, but the thing that matters the most is what you can offer to the university. Don’t worry too much! :)</p>

5

<p>“I’ll probably still go even if I don’t get financial aid.”</p>

<p>So you’re financially capable of attending Stanford, but you’re still thinking about applying for financial aid? </p>

<p>You can get only NEED-based aid at Stanford. No need, no aid. As simple as that.</p>

6

<p>I can afford it if I take a loan, borrow from relatives, and/or score a job at Google. Of course I’d prefer to get FA.
But is it possible to indicate that FA is optional?</p>

7

<p>No. You check a box whether you are applying for FA or not. In addition, you have to file the appropriate financial forms. Everyone would prefer to get FA-- you have to demonstrate true need (as calculated differently by each school). FA is not meant to make things easier- it is to make it at-all-possible.</p>