archi92

Hi CC members!

I'm an international student living in the US and I heard from a Professor at a State University saying that it is impossible for students like to me to have scholarships, financial aid or loans from school. He said that only international students applying in their countries may receive such money.

Is this true or not?

Thanks in advance !

ttyl8

depends on the school, but I think only the top schools will give FA to international students.

thumper1

There are some schools that do give financial aid to international students. Most schools that do so are amongst the most competitive for admissions as well.

International students are NOT eligible for any federally funded financial aid, including Pell grants, Stafford and Perkins Loans and and work study. These are federally funded programs and not for international students.

Some colleges provide aid to international students and are also need blind for admissions. Some colleges provide aid to international students but they are NOT need blind for admissions (ability to pay is considered in the admissions decision). Some colleges give limited financial aid to international students.

It really varies.

But generally speaking...I would say it's a lot harder for international students to get financial aid at U.S. colleges.

fogfog

OP
It wouldn't make any sense for there to be federally funded money for international students--because that money is for US citizens...its supplied by taxpayers. As far as loans--there are plenty of problems with pay back of loans by citizens, can you imagine how hard it would be to get funds repaid by international recipients who have then repatriated to their nation of origin. Does that help make sense?

Maybe there are fuunding programs in your nation that assist students with education whether overseas or within your nation?

Good luck with your studies.

mom2collegekids

Your prof is quite true in most cases. The overwhelming majority of int'l students have to pay their own way because FEW schools give adequate aid/scholarships to internationals.

What I've noticed is this...poor internationals with stellar stats have a chance at ivies and similar for full need (since those schools are the few that give full aid to int'ls).

However, poor int'ls with med to high stats (that aren't stellar) usually can't afford our schools, because there aren't any that will give a full-ride to int'ls.

There are some schools that give "some" scholarship money to internationals (say $5k a year), but that demands that the student have the other $25k+ a year for the rest.

percussiondad

OP-- you have not said what country you are from. I am from Canada and my D is a freshmen attending SUNY Potsdam. In Canada we are able to apply for Federal Student loans to attend Universities out of country (mind you the amounts are not great). The one thing that made a major difference for us though was that SUNY Potsdam offers an International Incentive equivalent to room and board for the full 4 years. This is not need or merit based. We had found a number of Colleges that had offered similar incentives. My D has also received 2 College Merit scholarship that have really helped as well. It is harder comingg fromout of the Country but our banks will also give loans or a line of Credit to students heading to the US for College. We are fortunate that with the incentive the cost of tuition is very close to same as had she stayed in Canada and had to pay room and board. We had planned for that much in advance and already have it saved up. Don;t forget that proof of ability to pay is a criteria for your student visa

happymomof1

"He said that only international students applying in their countries may receive such money."

Each college/university makes its own policy about financial aid. You need to speak directly with the financial aid officers at the colleges/universities that you are interested in. It is possible that this particular university has limited financial aid for international students, and so only uses it for students who have completed their secondary educations outside the US.

Your situation is particularly challenging. You need to find out if you are considered an in-state resident for tuition and fees at public community colleges, colleges, or universities in your state of residence. Factors that might determine this include: how long you have lived in that state, whether you will graduate from HS in that state, and your specific immigration status. You also need to find out if you can study with your current visa status, or if it would be necessary to convert to an F-1. Even if it isn't necessary to convert to an F-1, you may decide to do so in order to be able to work part time.