I think I understand what OP is trying to say. Living expenses are a LOT lower in my home country than in Europe/US. A family with 15k$ yearly income would be considered at least middle class in my country and would be able to live fairly comfortably.
GMTplus7, I think you’re being a little unreasonable.
@cauldroncastle yes ur right 
the living cost here is so so low compared to the US’! And yes we’re considered middle class here.
@katliamom yes i think he/she misunderstood me. I have some wealthy relatives but they can only help us in the form of ‘informal/unofficial loan’, that is to lend us money without bank interference or the charged profit (idk if this term is correct tho) . Its not that we have any undeclared income…also one more thing, because we live fairly comfortably, I was always hopeful that I could go to Us for college. But then i found out any family with a yearly income under $20k is considered unable to pay for colleges. In fact, because the living expense here is so low, we can save up to 5k per year. But the EFC is based on an US living standard right…and so we appear unable to pay anything. Thats what I mean. Thats the truth. I was worried that when the adcom sees an 0 EFC they would drop my application immediately…although we can actually pay up to 5k a year…thats it. Sorry for tagging you here and saying a lot lot of these but I just dont want anyone to misunderstand me and think I am that kinda ‘rich tryna look poor to get FA’ thing. Im not…im sorry and also thank you! Please pardon me if I say too much! Just wanna clarify! @GMTplus7 i hope you understand this for me! Thank you!
@collegemom3717
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1678964-links-to-popular-threads-on-scholarships-and-lower-cost-colleges.html#latest
thanks @mom2collegekids! link saved…
Not what international students on financial aid typically do. Many don’t go home at all, or maybe once during their 4-year college years.
It’s cheaper to stay in the US continuously than to go home, even during summers.
OP, fellow Vietnamese student here. If you want, you can shoot me a message and we can discuss your options (we’re quite similar in terms of stats, and my EFC is also very low). Right now I could only think of a few places that would suit your needs: Temple University, Miami University (my school by the way), Wesleyan College (not Wesleyan University), University of Alabama, University of Kansas (highly recommended if you plan to go into Engineering, and the living cost is relatively cheaper than most) - these schools will give you at least a full-tuition scholarship based on merits for sure. Other options include Berea College, NYU Abu Dhabi, NYU Shanghai - all need-blind and will certainly meet your needs if you’re accepted. However, these schools are really selective, though NYU Shanghai is not too hard to get in.
Thank you @evelynne1996 
http://blogs.voanews.com/student-union/2013/05/01/how-i-competed-for-and-won-a-full-scholarship/
Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida