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<li><p>I am an international student applying to USC. In the application, there is a question that says "Are you applying for need-based financial aid?" Why would anyone check no? Are there specific financial requirements that make the financial aid eligible for a specific group of people? I am financially capable of paying the tuition, but USC is an expensive school and financial aid will be very helpful. Is there any reason for me not to apply for financial aid? </p></li>
<li><p>If I choose to apply for financial aid, will it affect my chances of getting in? I mean, will checking "no" make this any better? </p></li>
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<p>Thank you in advance!</p>
<p>If you have enough money to pay for it, then you probably won’t qualify for NEED-based financial aid anyway.* For an international student, needing financial aid plays a factor in admissions, as most schools have limited funds available for international students.</p>
<p>*Remember, need based financial aid is based on what you would be able to pay, so if you can afford the entire cost of attendance, you most likely will not get need based aid at all. They do not simply give out NEED based aid to people to make the overall cost cheaper if they can afford full freight. MERIT based aid is different, however.</p>
<p>Thank you for your answer. My sister goes there, and sending me too will in fact be financially tough. So I do consider myself in need of aid. My sister did not ask for financial aid, but if I go too, I will definitely need some. Does thing change things?</p>
<p>I called the office of admissions and they told me that international students only qualify for merit-based scholarships. So I guess the “limited funds available for international students” at USC are for merit-based scholarships only.</p>