Unigo: What Financial Aid is Available for International Students?

 Expert Network Column

Week of January 9, 2011

The Unigo Expert Network is a group of top education experts from across the US answering questions submitted by students and parents about college admissions and succeeding after high school.

Navigating the financial aid system can be one of the most important (and confusing!) parts of the college application process. For international students, this process can be even more frustrating. This week, our experts weigh in on your financial aid options as an international student and give you the best tips on how you can get money to go to college in the US.

“What financial aid is available for international students?” — Jake Nichols, Grand Rapids, MI

See all 9 answers to this week’s question

Experts	Expert Answers
Anne Richardson        Director of College Counseling, International, & ESL Programs, Kents Hill School See All of Anne’s Answers	A: If You Look For It, You Can Find It!It can be very hard for an international student who needs need-based financial aid to find it. While merit aid is often available, need-based is not usually available.  Generally speaking public institutions are less likely to give need-based aid than private universities; however, it is important to call each admissions office and ask whether or not they do. Ask your guidance counselor for help. This is also where having a special talent – athletic or artistic – can be helpful, as well as excellent grades. However, it does exist; it just takes patience and time and a savvy guidance counselor to help you.
Ken Huus        Dean of Admissions, Sweet Briar College See All of Ken’s Answers	A: Depending on the Institution, Some Assistance May be AvailableStudents who do not hold US citizenship or are not permanent residents of the US are not eligible for federal financial assistance.  Policies about institutional financial assistance will vary by institution – some will award only merit/scholarship assistance; others will award some assistance based on a family’s need; others will have a competitive application process for full or half-tuition scholarships. It will be important to be in contact with specific colleges of interest to determine each institution’s availability of aid for non-US citizens.  Note: US citizens living in a country other than the US are fully eligible for federal assistance – citizenship is the determining factor, not country of residence.
Marjorie Shaevitz        Author, Founder of adMISSION POSSIBLE See All of Marjorie’s answers	A: Financial Aid for International Students? Well, It Really DependsUnfortunately, there is no one answer to this question. Whether financial aid is available to international students varies from college to college. Students should check college websites and/or contact schools directly. All international students should complete the International version of the CSS Profile, a College Board financial aid form. To determine if a college even accepts this form, students can consult an up-to-date College Board list offered at http://bit.ly/sAGD5P. Applicants should also know that many colleges require a Certification of Finances form for international students, that asks questions about an applicant’s ability to pay his/her college expenses.

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About the Unigo Expert NETWORK: The Unigo Expert Network is a group of top education experts across the US dedicated to the success and well-being of high school students as they make the transition to college life. With members from two-year, four-year, private, public, and independent institutions, the network has over 3,000 years of collective experience, spanning all areas of admissions, financial aid, and how to succeed in college. To see all members of the Unigo Expert Network, visit www.unigo.com/admissionsexperts. Unigo.com is the web’s largest, 100% free resource for college information, used by over four million high school students and parents.