<p>You can’t rely on anything that isn’t an entitlement and unconditional. Those who win an award are 100% there so it’s easy for them to say how anyone can do this. The fact of the matter is that very few people get full ride awards. When you look at stats, many are going to local schools and are getting PELL or loans to which they are entitled. You, the OP, are international and not eligible for those entitlement. So the odds are way against you right there. Plus you have a lot more money to have to get before you are meet 100% in funding. Not like some kids where a couple thousand will pay for the local state school or community college, and they are commuting from parents’ home.</p>