If you can get an excellent SAT or ACT score, there are a few places that would guarantee admission and merit-based aid even though you are an international student. Other places would consider you for competitive merit scholarships. Read through the links in this thread, and check each of the universities mentioned to find out whether the scholarships mentioned are available to international students. http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1678964-links-to-popular-threads-on-scholarships-and-lower-cost-colleges.html#latest