I feel a little silly asking this, but I thought it’s best to remove all doubts from my mind. I am an international student and I won’t be able to pay for college by myself (I’m hoping to help fund my studies using merit scholarships). Most schools DON’T offer financial aid to internationals, but should I tick the little common app box asking whether i intend to pursue need based aid anyway? since it may help with scholarships. Or check no if I know that the school WON’T be giving me financial aid.
(I’m sorry if this sounds confusing)
Go ahead and check the box. Certainly won’t hurt, and it might help if they have some aid available to internationals that isn’t advertised.
Good luck!
@julianstanley thanks a ton! 
Are you only applying to colleges that do not give need based aid to international,students? You are not eligible for federally funded need based aid…but there are school that give institutional need based aid to international students.
You cannot use the FAFSA, but there are other need based financial aid application requirements for schools that do provide need based aid to international students.
@thumper1 I’m applying to a mix of colleges, few do, few don’t. My question is with regard to those which don’t.
Are you doing the common application for all,of,these? If so, click yes.