<p>I'm an international student and I'm applying to US universities - right now I'm depending on financial aid solely but I will be applying for local scholarships from December - April. When applying can I first state that I need financial aid, and then change it to not needing if my scholarship applications are successful? Will this affect my admission success? </p>
<p>What US universities are you applying too?</p>
<p>How much is the total of these potentisl scholarships and are they for one year or four years?</p>
<p>Can your parents pay anything for college?</p>
<p>Yes, you can. And, yes, it could make a difference for you at those schools that are not need blind for international students for admissions. But you probably have to let them know before they have made their decision. Schools do not like to back track on processing applications. </p>
<p>Also, be aware that most local awards are not for 4 years, and many do not let you know until after the college acceptances are in. And also, for many schools, if you start out not applying for financial aid, they may not give you aid in future years without a change in circumstances in the family finances. I suggest you ask the financial aid offices directly whether an international student can apply to those particular schools as a no need student and then be considered for financial aid in future years, if scholarships should cover just the first year. Schools that are need aware also are aware that some students will try to "beat the system " by applying as a full pay student, thus bettering their admissions chances and then asking for aid later. They would have qualified for aid, but decided to borrow or come up with the money somehow, somewhere for just that first year to get their feet in the door. </p>
<p>I’m applying to:
Amherst
Dartmouth
Williams
Middlebury
Vassar
Bates
Colby
St Lawrence</p>
<p>Amherst and Dartmouth are need blind even for internationals but the rest aren’t. The scholarships will cover all tuition and other school expenses for 4 years. My parents can contribute maybe 10-15k max a year? My dad earns less than 50k/year, mother is retired and I have 2 siblings, one who is still in secondary school.</p>
<p>And thanks for the informative replies! I think I’ll check with the financial aid offices too after my exams. Thanks!</p>
<p>You will be able to find up to $200,000 in scholarships to apply for in your country that could pay for all four years of US universities?</p>
<p>Honestly what will happen if you do NOT get those scholarships? Just leave it as it is. If you get a four year guaranteed award that will cover your costs THEN contact the schools to let them know. You would need to do this anyway because those scholarships will reduce your financial need, and thus your need based awards from the schools.</p>
<p>But until you have the scholarships guaranteed, then don’t change a thing.</p>
<p>Another thing to check…some colleges do NOT allow international students to apply for institutional need based aid in subsequent years if they don’t apply as incoming freshmen. If something were to happen to that outside scholarship in future years, you might need to apply to your college. Don’t burn that bridge either, if it applies to your colleges.</p>
<p>ETA…</p>
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<p>How are Trinity and St. lawrence safety schools? A safety is one where you are almost positive that you will get accepted (I agree you have good potential to get accepted) AND where you can pay the costs to attend (not sure either of these will be affordable for you).</p>
<p>Yup my country has several competitive scholarships that will pay full tuition for overseas education at renowned universities. I’ll have to serve a 6 year bond afterwards though.</p>
<p>@thumper: but since I’ll be getting my A level results in March and most scholarship applications open after that (and then after the interviews and all) won’t it be too late for me to contact the school?? Admission results would’ve been decided by then? And also I updated my list of colleges, the updated list is above! I don’t think I’ll attend US colleges if I can’t get into any of the schools I applied for and instead just attend a local uni.</p>
<p>Since your scholarship applications will be done March or later, and you have no guarantee that you will receive one, I would recommend you apply for financial aid here. In other words…leave that box checked YES.</p>
<p>An acceptance here will do you NO GOOD if you don’t have sufficient aid to attend.</p>
<p>Ok thanks!
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