Totally confused about Financial Aid and Admissions for Internationals (in US)

Parents Forum
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<p>As I've mentioned on this site previously, I'll probably be applying as an International next year. By the time I apply, I would've lived in America for close to 6 years. I have a valid H-4 Visa. I've sort of been confused with Financial Aid eligibility for Internationals and I was wondering if anyone could clarify things for me.</p>

<p>Okay, so basically there are 8 colleges are need blind to International Students (Harvard, Princeton, Yale, MIT, Amherst, Dartmouth, Williams and Middlebury). Right?</p>

<p>And there are many that offer no Financial Aid whatsoever to International Students (CMU).</p>

<p>But some college websites have mentioned that "some" International Students are eligible for Financial where as some aren't (?). I've pulled the following info from the UVA website.

[quote]
Students must be United States citizens or classified as eligible non-citizens in order to be eligible for federal, state, and University financial assistance. Eligible non-citizens must have one of the following documents: permanent resident with a I-551 Alien Registration Receipt card; a conditional permanent resident with I-551 card; or a resident with a I-94 Arrival-Departure Record from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service showing the appropriate designation. Students on an F1 or F2, J1 or J2, or a G series Visa do not qualify for any federal or state financial aid.

[/quote]

So I think I'm eligible as I won't be needing an F1 to stay in the US (I'll be banking on my H4 and the extensions I'll be receiving owing to the pending Green Card Process).</p>

<p>But since I'm eligible, do I still fill out the International Student Financial Guarantee (or w.e they call the form International Students have to fill out talking about their Finances). And would I apply as an International student or as a domestic one (but guess has been International, but I'm not sure anymore)?</p>

<p>The University of Maryland (my state's flagship U) seems to have a different set of requirements.

[quote]
Must have an I-151, I-551, or I-551C (Alien Registration Receipt Card), or a Passport or an I-94 Form with a stamp indicating I-551 status.

[/quote]

Apparently, the I-151/551 are just legal terms for a Green Card. So, I'd have to apply as an International in this case, right?</p>

<p>The UMD residency requirements are rather interesting ( UM</a> Residency Classification Office | Policy ). I meet all of their requirements (having lived in Maryland to 5-6 years) except No. 8 (I think)

[quote]
8. Has a legal ability under Federal and Maryland law to live permanently without interruption in Maryland.

[/quote]

I think this is getting towards the proof of permanent residency...so again, I'll probably be applying as an International, right? (Meaning, Maryland might no longer be a "safety"?)</p>

<p>Oy! This process is uber-confusing :(</p>

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<p>Politiksfreak, you are not eligible to get aid through FAFSA in your situation which is green card pending, H-4 visa. What is confusing is that every college has its own private funds that can be given to anyone regardless of FAFSA eligibility. So you do need to check about your eligibility at EACH school. But you are not eligible for anything that requires you to be eligible through FAFSA. </p>

<p>That schools are not need blind or do not guarantee financial aid for foreign students does not mean that they do not accept foreign students and come up with money for them in some form or other. If they really want you, something sometimes can be worked out. </p>

<p>As for UMD's definitions, you would do well to call admissions and get the name of the person there who makes these determinations as it will be his call. I've seen some strange calls, so give it a try. I know that OMalley is working on giving non citizen residents state status for colleges, but don't know where it is now, and how the colleges are handling this.</p>

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<p>I've been hearing about the O' Malley thing for more than a year now; have no idea what happened to it though =/ (I think there was a lot of backlash with many Right-wing groups calling it a hand out to illegal immigrants and an insult to non-MD resident Americans).</p>

<p>Okay, I've received some clarity on the FAFSA thing. But would I be eligible for the UVA Fin. Aid?</p>

<p>I'll definitely give the UMD guys a call about all this. Thanks!</p>

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<p>Yes, my MIL is furious with O'Malley about this. She feels exactly as you say, as she is feeling the pinch of increased taxes in her old age. She does NOT want to pay for non citizens going to college with her tax dollars. </p>

<p>As for UVA, you have to call them. You will not get FAFSA based aid for UVA but they do have their own app as well. You will probably have to call each college. Because you have great US stats that do not need to be independently assessed as many internationals' profiles since there is not as much known about out of country schools, and you have the stats that US schools all very much want, there just might be college money out there for you. You just are not eligible to government money such as the Pell, Staffords, Heogh, Perkins, and other such programs.</p>

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<p>Okay. Thank you sooo much!</p>

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<p>I just looked at the UVA site, and I would not think you are eligible for financial aid there from there requirements. However, I would not go on my opinion. You have to call every single one of the offices to find out if your particular situation fits. You should do it soon, and get your apps in fast as the money goes fast. If you are eligible, my gut feeling is that you will do well with your stats, so do get rolling. Good luck.</p>

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<p>Well I'm a Junior right now, so thankfully I still have time. I just wanted to get an idea of the process. Eh, my stats aren't that great actually. My cumulative GPA is like 3.3 (Freshman + Sophomore Year - had a horrible Soph year) but rigor is definitely there (IB Magnet). Thanks again!</p>

<p>And out of curiousity, what did you see in the requirements that make me ineligible?</p>

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<p>Hopefully, you get your green card. If your cum GPA is not good, forget UVA. They count that VERY heavily, in my experience.</p>

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<p>Oh okay. Well I always considered a reach to begin with anyway. Thanks</p>

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<p>Ask to look at your college transcript, the one that would be sent to colleges. Often just year end grades are shown. You may be better off than you think. For UVA, it seems to me that you have to have over a 3.5 consistently.</p>

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<p>I had a 3.57 (both semesters Freshman Year). But I was dealing with some personal issues and it plumetted in my Sophomore Year to 3.43 (First Semester) and 2.85 (Second Semester - 2.0 in the Fourth Quarter :( ). So I don't think there's any chance for UVA then...</p>

<p>Do you think there's a chance I can at least get into Maryland?</p>

<p>My sophomore PSAT scores was 190</p>

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<p>It depends on how your grades are reported. None of the schools I know even report semester grades, much less quarter grades. For the state schools, they like class rank. Find out from your counselor who is getting into UMD. Also look up merit awards for UMD which are pretty much based on SAT scores. See if you are within striking range of that. You are still very early. So if you are close, you are an excellent candidate. But the best indicator for the state schools is your GC's appraisal since he will know what it takes on a multi student basis who gets into your flagship school.</p>

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<p>I'm fairly sure our school reports Semester Grades (not the quarter ones thankfully). But I'll talk to my GC just to be on the safe side. I assume Class Rank would be an issue too as the school is pretty competitive (but I remember reading our county doesn't rank).</p>

<p>UMBC is supposed to be easier to get into than UMCP, right?</p>