weird citizenship status -> financial aid?

Paying for College
1

<p>So I was born in Korea, and moved to the States when I five months old. I've lived here ever since, but I'm not even a permanent resident. Why?</p>

<p>My dad came to study so he came with a student visa. Since he has gotten his PhD he now has an O visa (temporary worker with extraOrdinary-ness...) Apparently, you're not allowed to apply for citizenship or your green card if you're here on a student visa. So my dad did not start the whole process until he started working in the city (as opposed to teaching at SUNY Stony Brook). </p>

<p>The lawyers at my dad's company attempted to go on the "fast track" for citizenship, but it turns out my dad wasn't extraordinary enough (haha) so they had to BACKTRACK and start the whole thing over again the "regular" way.</p>

<p>And this is why I do not yet have a green card/permanent residency, even though I've lived here for 17 years.</p>

<p>And this puts me in an icky spot with financial aid. I'm not quite an international student (because I've lived here and gone to school here nearly all my life), I'm not a permanent resident, and I'm not a U.S. citizen.</p>

<p>I am aware that the only six schools that are need-blind for international students are Harvard, Princeton, Yale, MIT, Williams, and Middlebury. While I do think I have a shot at getting into some of those schools, I can't depend on it, and I'm not sure I really WANT to go to one of those schools.</p>

<p>So I'm looking for match schools that don't "discriminate" against non-citizens/permanent residents in terms of financial aid. But I don't know if the same restrictions apply to me as they apply to "real" international students.</p>

<p>See how confusing this is? haha.</p>

<p>Is anyone in the same boat as me? Does anyone know where I can find some sort of resource or community for people in my situation? Or am I doomed to call up each school and just ASK? (Yeah I know there are websites, but the information is either cryptic or it doesn't apply to me).</p>

<p>Also, since I probably WILL be getting my green card within the next year and a half or so, will the school recognize this change and adjust financial aid accordingly for the rest of the time that I'm there?</p>

<p>Thanks for reading my ramblings. Any response is appreciated!</p>

2

<p>Not weird at all. Lots of kids in the same boat. Because you are not entitled to federal/state funds, you need to look for some schools with good merit aid. US News and World Report has lists of that sort. If you are of the calibre that the most selective schools can reasonably be on your list, you are in the running for merit aid. Some states also give state resident tuition to internationals who have been here for a certain length of time. You need to check what those rules are. And yes, once you get a good list of schools that have a decent amount of merit aid that they give out, you do have to check how much of it internationals are eligible for.</p>

3

<p>Yes, you have much company. Last year my D's friend was in the same situation. However, he was admitted to Ohio State University, (OH is where he has lived most of his life) with a full merit scholarship and to Harvard. Every other school turned him down because of his precarious immigration status. Obviously he lucked out and is at Harvard on financial aid, no parental contribution because his parents make less than $45K.</p>

<p>All this is to say your options are limited, but not impossible. Try public colleges in the state where you reside and the colleges you listed. I don't think you would be considered an international student.</p>

4

<p>ya I am in the same sitution...it's kinda of depended on the school</p>