Can you help me decipher this email?

Colleges & Universities University of Southern California
1

<p>I asked a question to the USC office of admission, I think that they didn’t give me a pretty straightforward answer, but I don’t want to continue bugging them since it seems they aren’t putting much effort into answering my emails (maybe they are busy with something else).</p>

<p>This is Form 8, which I talk about on the email: <a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/1112/Form8_2011.pdf[/url]”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/1112/Form8_2011.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Anyway, this were the emails:</p>

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<p>Me:</p>

<p>The application web page states that International Students in need of a student visa should submit the Form 8- Financial Statement of Personal of Family Support. I plan to apply for USC for academic year 2012-2013 from Chile, but to pay the tuition I would need financial aid. My question is, how do I fill this form? Do I have to enter the amount of money my parents can pay, the total amount they possess, or proof for the full tuition? Thank you</p>

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<p>USC:</p>

<p>Thank you for contacting the Office of Admission at the University of Southern California.</p>

<p>If you will be considered an international student, you will not be eligible for need-based financial aid. To determine your eligibility for federal and university need-based financial aid, please see if you meet the citizenship requirements listed on the Citizen and Eligible Non-Citizen Verification Form found at [USC</a> Financial Aid](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/forms/forms2.html]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/forms/forms2.html). </p>

<p>International students are eligible to receive merit-based scholarships from the Admissions Office, academic departments, or outside agencies. There are also private financing options for international students. More information is available online at [USC</a> Financial Aid - Applying & Receiving Financial Aid - International Students](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/applying_receiving/international/]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/applying_receiving/international/).</p>

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<p>Me:</p>

<p>Does this mean that in order to apply to USC I must be able to pay full tuition in case I don’t get a scholarship?</p>

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<p>USC:</p>

<p>Thank you for contacting the Office of Admission at the University of Southern California.</p>

<p>We will not be able to provide you with an I-20 which in turn allows you to obtain an F-1 student visa.</p>

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<p>Are they saying that I need to be able to pay for the full tuition by myself in order to apply to USC and receiving merit-based aid? Because that kinda beats the purpose.</p>

2

<p>Hi diegovb, I am applying as an international student for 2011. If you are not an American citizen or don’t have a Social Security Number you are not eligible for financial aid - which means you will not be given any need-based help. That’s why you have to fill in the Financial Statement. It’s supposed to show that you can afford to pay the fees without help if you didn’t receive any. You’re still eligible to receive certain scholarships but it’s not guaranteed you’ll get them.</p>

<p>So, take me for instance. My family have the money to pay for an education at USC but I probably wouldn’t end up going if I didn’t get a scholarship, just because it’s so expensive. So basically I had to fill in the form to show I had the money. It’s a method of insurance - to let the university know that if they accepted you, you would have a chance of attending.</p>

<p>I know it’s unfair but we’re international students and the top priority isn’t always for us because we don’t pay taxes to America. If however, you are eligible for financial aid (check the website they gave you) then you should be fine. But if you a) don’t live America or b) aren’t an eligible non-citizen then you won’t be able to receive financial aid other than scholarships.</p>

<p>Hope that helped!</p>

3

<p>btw, whenever you have a question, call them up. Their email system seemed automated when I first sent an email and also didn’t answer my question. Call them call them call them. It’s so much easier plus they’ll remember you, especially if you call with more questions again. Good luck!</p>

4

<p>Thank you! I hope my family has enough money hehehe</p>

<p>I really need that scholarship x3</p>

5

<p>Its friggin hard to get a scholarship as an international lol</p>