<p>Hi
I am currently filling out my financial aid application and I’m now thinking for hours how my decision will affect my admission chances. It’s about the Expected Support of my parents. As most of the colleges will have their own formulas, how important can the expected amount of support be? You should know, that I am an international student, so is it possible, if we are unexperienced with this kind of applications and state a too low expected support and although the college would have admitted me with a slihtly higher EFC, they are going to reject me? It’s very hard to transfer our economical situation to the US, so I don’t really know how much is acceptable.
Or do I am worrying too much?</p>
<p>I’m sure there are folks better versed with the issues of international students than I am…but here is what I know.</p>
<p>First…many schools are not need blind for admissions for international students. In other words, your ability to pay is considered when your admission packet is considered.</p>
<p>Second…some schools offer financial aid to international students in the same way as for U.S. citizens. Some offer limited financial aid to international students. Some offer no aid to international students. You need to check the policies of all of the schools to which you are applying to see which apply to you.</p>
<p>Third…in the end, finances are extremely important for international students. You need to be able to demonstrate that you have the financial support to pay all of your support before you will be issued a visa to study here. This can include your financial aid…but be aware that if it includes a parent contribution, your parents will need to verify that they have the financial resources to meet their financial obligations for paying for you for the entire year. Just FYI…this happens not only in the U.S. but elsewhere too. When our DS did a study abroad, we had to provide bank statements and pay stubs, etc. to demonstrate that we were able to provide his support for the term or he would not have been able to go abroad to study.</p>
<p>When you fill out those financial aid forms, you need to convert the information to American dollars. </p>
<p>The schools that provide the most generous aid to international students are both highly competitive for admissions and provide need based aid only.</p>
<p>well, yeah, sure I know that the schools are not need-blind for me, that’s why I ask.
I am familiar with all the formal things, but the question is how my parent’s decision for the expected support can affect admission decisions. We are just not familiar with the US system to know how much would be appropriate…</p>
<p>Just tell them the truth. What is the number that your parent’s can contribute within their budget?</p>
<p>I’d be curious to hear from an FAO at a profile school about what impact they think it has, but I haven’t seen a strong correlation between expected support and the financial packages from our end.</p>
<p>Since your parents will have to provide financial documents in order for you to possibly get any aid, there’s no point in putting a small number for “expected support” if your parents have a decent income/assets. Schools expect families to contribute - even if the families don’t want to.</p>
<p>Tell the truth. It sounds like you’re trying to game the system and put a lower number to get more aid. That could backfire. If you need too much aid, they might reject you. Many of the schools that give aid to Int’l student can only give small amounts. If you look like you neet too much aid, you could be hurting your chances.</p>
<p>If your parents are expected by the college to provide support in a certain amount…your parents will have to verify that they are able to contribute that amount for the full academic year BEFORE you will be issued a visa to study here.</p>