<p>I am hoping to apply to a university for the fall semester 2012, however I have a dilemma. I would be applying as an international student because I live in South Africa. However, my father is a US Citizen and it is likely that by the time I would enter a US campus
my paperwork would have processed and I will be an LPR. If that is the case do you think the university will be able to change my status to that of a domestic student so that I would not have to pay the higher international tuition fees.
Even so, there is still the issue of financial aid, which I will certainly need, I understand that there is very scarce sponsorship for
international students as is, my query is, if my status changed then would any funding I might have been awarded still apply - as I would not technically be an international student any more.
If that is the case, would I be able to get any federal aid support, or would I have
to wait until the next year to apply for it.
In the light of all these complications, do you think it is worth my while to attempt to study in the US next year, or should I rather try and transfer sometime in the future.
I apologize for the preamble. Any information you have on the subject would be absolutely wonderful especially considering that the deadline for applications draws near. </p>
<p>You should contact someone from the international admission office for the particular uni and ask them. They would know what is the best solution.</p>
<p>I would suggest that you research the option to go to uni somewhere in South Africa and then, when everything with your father’s and your status clears up, apply to the US as a transfer.</p>
International students usually pay the same tuition fees as domestic students. Public universities charge different rates for in-state students vs out-of-state students BUT if you are not currently living in the US, you would most likely be classified as an out-of-state student either way. </p>
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You can apply for federal aid as soon as your status changes. Whether you can apply for institutional aid will depend on institutional policies - I suggest you discuss your status with the admissions office of each college you apply to. </p>
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Bad idea. Financial aid for transfer students is notoriously bad, and American universities seem to dislike transfer applications from foreign universities in general. (College degrees are structured very differently in the US than in most other countries, and so transferring credits and catching up on American degree requirements is a bit tricky.) You’d be better off to take a year off and do something non-academic than enroll at a foreign university with the intent to transfer to an American university.</p>
<p>“You’d be better off to take a year off and do something non-academic than enroll at a foreign university with the intent to transfer to an American university.”</p>
<p>Excellent advice. Take a gap year, and wait to apply to colleges/universities here when you have your permanent resident status. This will make everything a lot easier. You will be eligible for federally determined (FAFSA) financial aid, and you won’t have any restrictions on where you can work if you need to get a job to help pay for your expenses. Depending on where your father is living and/or owns property, you may qualify for in-state status for tuition and fees at public colleges and universities.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for your comments - that part about transferring is interesting indeed, does anyone know about changing to an eligible non-citizen (as a parolee). This may apply for me, but i’d have to apply as an international student first and try and get the uni to change my status later on. Does anyone know the complications of changing status on receiving aid.
I’ve tried to email universities but they are not very helpful at all.
thanks again :)</p>
I became a permanent resident towards the end of my first year in college. I kept the original financial aid I had for the remainder of the school year and then applied for aid as an American student in my second. </p>
<p>A lot of what will happen depends on institutional guidelines. For me, the actual transition was not difficult but my financial aid offer became much worse in my second year. (For example, $6,500 worth of grants were replaced by Stafford loans and I lost my health insurance and travel subsidies.)</p>