<p>Well i am a Canadian looking to apply to US universities this fall,</p>
<p>From what ive heard/researched financial aid is very hard to get at the top public schools (as opposed to at the privates) (and im talking about the top universities from each category)… </p>
<p>is this true?</p>
<p>Public universities exist to serve the residents of the state where they are located, and receive funding from that individual state government. Consequently, an education that would cost $50k at some private institution might cost less than $20k at your home state university. Understandably, the taxpayers of state 1 aren’t happy to see their hard-earned tax dollars to support students coming from states 2 through 50. So, there are different tuition/fee rates for out of state and international students to make up the difference in what their parents haven’t ever paid in taxes to that state.</p>
<p>When it comes to scholarship money, again most of the money comes from in-state and is dedicated to in-state students. This means that while it is possible to get scholarships from public universities, it will be a lot harder for you as an out-of-state/international student. You will have to be waaaaay better than the local applicants to make that university want you badly enough to give you that kind of scholarship money.</p>
<p>^ But that depends a lot on the state. Some of the more enlightened states (e.g., Minnesota) see their public colleges and universities as “talent magnets” that bring in bright and talented people from across the country and around the world, many of whom will stay and contribute to the growth of the knowledge-based economy of the future.</p>
<p>If you’re from Manitoba, you’re automatically eligible to attend the University of Minnesota at in-state tuition rates. If you’re from anywhere else in Canada, tuition is capped at $2,000/semester ($4,000/year) above the in-state level, making it a comparative bargain. In addition, non-residents are eligible to compete for a variety of merit-based scholarships. See
[url=<a href=“http://admissions.tc.umn.edu/costsaid/scholarships.html]Scholarships[/url”>Scholarships | Office of Admissions]Scholarships[/url</a>]</p>
<p>A number of other public colleges and universities also offer merit-based scholarships regardless of residency. Some of these are automatic: if you achieve specified ACT or SAT scores, for example, you may be eligible for merit aid at a number of state schools, whether you are in-state, out-of-state, or international.</p>