Will not taking SAT and sending test scores as an international student would hurt an application and decrease the chances of a generous financial aid?
Hey,
This year, most US universities are test-optional, particularly for the SATs, so they won’t be requiring your scores. However, they’re not test-blind either i.e. if you send your score, it will give you an advantage.
From your tags, I see that you’ve focused on Harvard, Cornell, Columbia etc. Of these, only Harvard may ensure you aid as an international student. For the other two, the chances are extremely slim. Even getting into such universities is a task for international students.
If you have AMAZING extra-curriculars, and have a great amount of demonstrated interest in the subject you’re focusing on, plus A-grade scores at school, then you’ll get in - if they want you real bad, you just may be offered aid.
So no, not sending your SAT scores is not an issue this year, but those who show achievements in their SATs will have a slight edge academically. If you won’t be sending them, then just ensure that the rest of the components are amazing (ECs, volunteering, school grades) and depending on that, you may/may not get in & subsequently may/may not receive aid (still unlikely for an international student, so do consider other options if you’ll definitely require aid).
Your SATs won’t matter much this year, if the rest makes up for it.
Best of luck! 
Thank you so much! I am working very hard to write some brilliant college essays. The schools I mentioned are are my reach schools. If not reach, hope I get into the Target schools I have on my mind with a generous aid!