<p>Hi there, I was wondering if I am lowering my chances of getting into a school in the US if I applied for financial aid? I know some of the prestigious schools are need blind, but I was told that as an international student, if I requested for financial aid, I will most likely not get accepted because schools are looking for students to pay? My reaches are Stanford, Columbia, NYU and I was really hoping to apply there but I am afraid that my financial aid thing would ruin my chances ):</p>
<p>Check the website of each school to see if they are need blind for internationals. It will say. I think there are only 6 that are need blind and will meet need. Another couple are need blind but will not guarantee to meet full need. I believe that your colleges are need aware, but rely on the college website for your information. It may be possible they will meet some or even most of your need but you will have to apply to find out.</p>
<p>Can your parents afford to pay for those schools? IF so, then don’t apply for aid. If they can’t afford those schools, then why are you asking?</p>
<p>Asking for aid will not keep the college/university from looking at your application. What might cause an automatic rejection is if the college/university looks at your financial need and realizes that you would be too expensive.</p>
<p>Check to see if the places on your list do offer any aid for international applicants. If they don’t, and your family cannot afford that much money for all four years, drop it from your list. Only apply to places that your family can afford without aid, or that do offer aid to internationals.</p>