dodgersmom

And, in the absence of a fee waiver, the candidate's financial aid application would make the same thing just as obvious. Net result? Need-blind school = no difference. Need aware school = no difference.

The only way the fee waiver request could influence the decision would be if the student applied for a fee waiver . . . but didn't apply for financial aid. That, I would imagine, would raise red flags all over the place!

sybbie719

However, the OP is an international applicant in a process where there are only 7 schools in the country that are need blind to them (most schools are need blind to US citizens and Permanent residents, which OP is neither.

They are evaluated in the international pool and the fee wavier sends a signal that they need a large amount of money before the the financial aid forms and certification of finances are even submitted. But I will put my years of experience and thousands of kids who I have gone through this process with under my belt and leave all of this to you.

thumper1

I do agree with Sybbie that asking for a fee waiver would raise the red flag earlier in the application process. Since this student needs 95% or greater in financial aid to attend these very costly schools, I would still suggest that this student look at OTHER colleges as well. If he/she is really a competitive admit for the Ivies (something we don't know...), he/she might also receive merit aid at the schools that provide it for international students. Again...YMMV on this...as not all schools offer merit aid to international students in the same way as those who are either citizens or permanent residents.

OP...again...fee waivers are granted for financial hardship. They are NOT granted so that someone can apply to an endless number of colleges. Perhaps you should prioritize your list.

cptofthehouse

What Sybbie is saying is that ANYTIME something is done out of the administrative normal means more mistakes can be made, and that this is a common hold up and issue.

If someone really needs application waivers, that person should request them. What Sybbie has said should prepare you to for the fact that there could be a snag when you have those waivers so have copies ready to fax and be diligent in staying on top of your application, more so than usual. The OP will not likely get waivers from all of the school he so requests, and should have a few schools where he has paid the fee. Also look for schools that waive fees if you apply on line or by a certain date. My son did not pay much in application fees at all this last time around. There were a lot of freebies out there.

thumper1

Also...I don't believe fee waivers are available for the CSS Profile for international students. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Just a note...there are 7 schools that are BOTH need blind for admissions AND meet full need for international students. All are extremely competitive for admissions for all students...and even moreso for international students.

sybbie719

College board fee waivers for testing and/or application fees, NACAC fee waivers and CSS profile waivers are not available to international students.

IF Op needs fee waivers, s/he must apply to schools that waives the fee for all applicants or applicants that apply on line or s/he must directly request them from the school.

thecontender

Look into QuestBridge! It's a great program and you get free fee waivers, along with other benefits for low income students.

sybbie719

Keep in mind that

dodgersmom

Regarding the potential adverse impact of requesting a fee waiver, I'll refer to the following post from December 2010:

'Nuff said.

(See this thread for more detail.)

The OP might also want to check this listing of schools that have at one time offered application fee waivers to international applicants. (Contact each school directly to find out if the waiver is still offered.)

dodgersmom

I believe the OP was asking about application fee waivers only.

thumper1

This was posted by the OP...and since he mentioned the CB (College Board)...I figured he was inquiring about Profile fee waivers as well.

Regardless...not available from CB.

sybbie719

How is what I said any different.

1. Most schools are not need blind to international student
2. The college board and the NACAC do not offer fee waivers to international students.
4.If the fee is not paid the school will not move forward with the application process
5.IF the school does not have the money or feel that its money could be better utilized differently, they are not going to accept the student

At the end of the day, all op can do is request a waiver directly from the school and the school will say yes or no

ExieMITAlum

The question isn't that complicated - "Should I apply for a fee waiver?" The answer is, if you can't apply to the college without one, you should ask for one. Period.

If you aren't going to be able to go without financial aid, then the point is moot about trying to hide that fact up front. And I rarely hear about students who aren't screened because their fee waiver caused delays. More often it is missing information and other incomplete materials. Missing teacher recommendations and counselor information are the most common errors - and often because they weren't sent in the first place.

By the time the applications are completed, the school and the financial aid application will be completed. Although I doubt - except in the case of Questbridge applicants - that the advance readers have any knowledge (or care) who needs FA and who does not. Normally those decisions come to play once the pile is whittled down to finalists.

What can be confusing - especially in the case of international students (but not limited to them) is the idea that lack of acceptance was predicated on financial need. Sometimes. Sometimes not. Depends on who is in the applicant pool that year and what the school needs and is willing to fund.

Certainly, schools ask for fees in part to prevent students from sending out hundreds of applications. It forces students to be more selective. So fee waivers should be requested only in the case of dire need. And I mean - when it is a hardship to pay it, not just inconvenient or a "stretch." It helps to have some "skin" in the game when you're applying to show you are serious, FA candidate or not.

If you need a fee waiver, ask for one. But if you have any options for paying it, I'd choose the latter.

ExieMITAlum

I'm curious, however, how it is a high school counselor can say - definitively - what a college does or does not do as it relates to an international student. Better to leave that answer for someone on the inside - and even then not all colleges act in a homogeneous manner.

sybbie719

keep in mind that there are 3 types of international students:

Students who are not US citizens/Permanent resident or eligible non-citizens who attend HS in the US.

Students who are US citizens/Permanent resident or eligible non-citizens who not attend HS in the US. while schools are need blind to them in the admissions process, their applications are read regionally with international students from that region of the country.

Students who are not US citizens/Permanent resident or eligible non-citizens who not attend HS in the US.