<p>Some schools are need-aware but need-based for international students (e.g. Stanford, Columbia, Brown). Would it be wise to not apply for financial aid and just take out student loans to increase your chances? In other words, how much would it affect your application chances if you were to apply for a lot of financial aid at need-aware schools?</p>
<p>If you need aid, it’s pointless not to apply. However, it does decrease your chance a lot unless you have perfect GPA, great SAT and some national and/or international awards. </p>
<p>So, I recommend to look into schools that offer MERIT scholarships to international students as well…be quick because most of them are past dues 
</p>
<p>GPA? your math+CR and highest SAT score in one sitting? course loads? awards? </p>
<p>PM me if you need some information </p>
<p>Yes, applying for need based financial aid at need aware schools might affect your chance of admissions.</p>
<p>The answer to your question depends entirely on how much aid you need.</p>
<p>These schools cost abut $65,000 a year, times four = $260,000. This doesn’t include transportation and a lot of other miscellaneous expenses. Even for these prestigious schools you’d be insane to borrow $260,000 for an undergraduate degree. Most likely you wouldn’t be able to get a loan in that amount anyway.</p>
<p>How much debt is too much? Again, it depends on your family situation and your eventual career, but my advice would be to keep it to a minimum.</p>
<p>Many schools do give generous need-based aid to international, but it’s difficult to predict how much aid you might receive at school’s that don’t guarantee to meet full need (which is different from being need blind). The net price calculators will give you an idea of the MAXIMUM that you will receive. You won’t receive more than that and you may receive considerably less.</p>
<p>I think the best approach is to apply for financial aid and see what you get, but if you really want to go to school in the US though, you should apply to some less selective schools.</p>
<p>@momrath Do you think it’s wise to not apply for financial aid during the application process to increase my chances then try to apply for it after freshman year at schools which are full-need towards internationals?</p>
<p>International transfers get NO aid.</p>
<p>@paul2752, I think what @PlebianDreamer means is what if he doesn’t apply for aid his first year, but does apply for aid his second year.</p>
<p>Stanford:
</p>
<p>Columbia:
</p>
<p>Brown:
</p>
<p>So, no, this is not a good strategy. </p>
<p>Okay I see. Thanks for your help!</p>