Pell Grant Eligibility: International Students' Perspectives

International students often face additional costs when studying in the US, including visa application fees and international airfare. While international students are not eligible for federal student aid, there are other options for financial aid, including institutional grants and scholarships. To be eligible for federal student aid, an individual must be a US citizen or permanent resident with a valid Social Security number. However, there are some exceptions where non-citizens can fill out the FAFSA and qualify for federal aid. Additionally, international students may qualify for financial aid through institutional applications, such as the CSS Profile or university-specific financial aid applications.

Are international students eligible for Pell Grants?

International students' eligibility for federal financial aid

International students are not eligible for federal student aid in the US unless they meet certain criteria regarding residency status. Students who are US citizens, permanent residents, or have a T-visa are eligible for federal financial aid, including Pell Grants. However, international students can still qualify for financial aid in other ways, such as institutional scholarships, grants, and education loans for international students. Many universities use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for these other forms of aid, but international students cannot complete the FAFSA without a Social Security number. There are some cases where non-citizens can fill out the FAFSA, such as if they have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) showing "Refugee", "Asylum Granted", or similar.

There are a considerable number of scholarships and grants available to international students, but they are often competitive. Aside from scholarships, there are two main sources of financial aid for international students: federal financial aid and private student loans from banks and lenders. At the federal level, international students may be eligible for Pell Grants, FSEOG Grants, direct subsidized/unsubsidized student loans, or Direct PLUS loans depending on their residency status.

To qualify for grants, scholarships, and institutional loans, international students may need to complete applications such as the International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA) or the CSS Profile. The ISAFA is a free form that many colleges and universities use to determine eligibility for institutional aid, while the CSS Profile collects information about a student's family's income, assets, and expenses in their home currency. Some schools have their own financial aid applications for international students, such as the University of Pennsylvania, which requires the CSS Profile and a separate Penn Financial Aid Supplement application.

International students can also look into using their foreign credit history to apply for a US credit card or loan. Nova Credit is a cross-border credit bureau that allows newcomers to apply for these using their foreign credit history.

Residency requirements for Pell Grants

International students seeking federal financial aid, including Pell Grants, face several eligibility criteria. Firstly, federal aid is typically limited to US citizens and permanent residents, including those with Green Cards (Form I-551, I-151, or I-551C). Additionally, a valid Social Security number is required to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is essential for qualifying for federal aid.

However, there are certain exceptions where non-citizens can complete the FAFSA and become eligible for federal aid. This includes individuals with specific visa statuses, such as an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) indicating "Refugee," "Asylum Granted," "Cuban-Haitian Entrant," "Conditional Entrant" (before 04/01/1980), or "Parolee." Those holding a T-visa or having parents with a T-visa for human trafficking victims are also eligible. Furthermore, citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau may be eligible for Pell Grants, with some restrictions.

It is important to note that even if international students cannot complete the FAFSA, they may still qualify for financial aid through other avenues. For instance, many colleges and universities use the International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA) to determine eligibility for institutional aid. Another commonly used application is the CSS Profile, which collects information about the family's financial situation in their home currency. Additionally, some schools have their own financial aid applications specifically for international students.

While Pell Grants are typically reserved for undergraduate students with financial need, they do not require repayment and are the largest source of federally funded grants. The eligibility for Pell Grants is determined by the FAFSA, which assesses the student's financial need without considering academic grades or extracurricular activities. The maximum Federal Pell Grant award for the 2024-25 academic year is $7,395.

International students and the FAFSA

International students are not eligible for federal student aid, including Pell Grants, in the US. However, there are some instances where non-citizens can fill out the FAFSA and qualify for financial aid.

Who is eligible to fill out the FAFSA?

According to the Federal Student Aid website, eligible non-citizens must fall under one of the following categories:

• Be a US national (including natives of American Samoa or Swains Island)
• Be a US permanent resident with a Form I-551, I-151 (Permanent Resident Card, Resident Alien Card, or Alien Registration Receipt Card), also known as a "green card"
• Have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the US showing one of the following statuses: "Refugee", "Asylum Granted", "Cuban-Haitian Entrant", "Conditional Entrant" (pre-04/01/1980), or "Parolee"
• Hold or have parents who hold a T nonimmigrant status, also known as a T-visa
• Be a battered immigrant-qualified alien or the child of a person designated under the Violence Against Women Act
• Be a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau (limited financial aid options)

What to do if you are not eligible to fill out the FAFSA

If you are an international student who does not meet the above criteria, you cannot fill out the FAFSA. However, there are still other ways to qualify for financial aid.

Firstly, you can reach out to the financial aid office of your prospective school and ask about funding opportunities. Financial aid may be available from the state where your school is located or the school itself, and they will often require you to complete a specific form from their office.

Secondly, you can look into institutional scholarships, grants, and education loans for international students. For example, MPOWER Financing offers no-collateral, no-cosigner education loans for international students studying in the US or Canada.

Thirdly, you can consider private international student loans from banks and lenders. Ascent, for example, offers cosigned loan options for international students.

Finally, you can check if you are eligible to use your foreign credit history to apply for a US credit card. Nova Credit is a cross-border credit bureau that allows newcomers to apply for US credit cards using their foreign credit history.

Institutional grants for international students

International students are not eligible for federal Pell Grants, which are reserved for US citizens and permanent residents. However, there are other institutional grants available for international students. These are often highly competitive and come with their own eligibility criteria.

Institutional Grants

Many universities offer institutional grants, scholarships, and loans for international students. These are typically awarded based on financial need, academic merit, or both. To apply for institutional grants, international students can fill out the International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA) or the CSS Profile, which is used by schools across the US. Some universities may also have their own financial aid applications, such as the University of Pennsylvania, which requires the CSS Profile and a separate Penn Financial Aid Supplement application.

Private Student Loans

International students can also apply for private student loans from banks and lenders, though these may come with less favourable terms than federal financial aid.

Scholarships

There are a number of scholarships available for international students, such as:

• The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship, which provides scholarships to students from select developing countries with no other source of financial aid for graduate studies.
• The American Association of University Women offers fellowships for non-American women pursuing a Master's or doctorate in the USA.
• The Civil Society Leadership Awards, which offer full scholarships for Master's students from specific countries who are dedicated to fostering social change.
• The Foreign Fulbright Student Program, which offers scholarships for graduate students from around the world to study in the USA.
• The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program, which provides comprehensive financial coverage for students from developing countries applying for development-related Master's programs.
• MPOWER Financing's Global Citizen Scholarship Program, which has broad eligibility criteria and is open to international and DACA students.
• The P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship, which awards scholarships to women from other countries earning graduate degrees in the USA.

Federal Aid

While federal financial aid is typically reserved for US citizens and permanent residents, there are some cases where non-citizens can qualify. For example, residents of American Samoa and Swains Island are eligible as they are US nationals, and permanent residents also generally qualify. Additionally, students with certain visas or residency statuses, such as those with an Arrival-Departure Record showing "Refugee," "Asylum Granted," or "Battered Immigrant-Qualified Alien," may be eligible for federal aid, including Pell Grants.

Private student loans for international students

Only US citizens and permanent residents are eligible for federal student aid, including Pell Grants and federal student loans. However, international students can still qualify for financial aid in the form of institutional scholarships, grants, and private student loans.

International students can obtain private student loans from two types of lenders: banks and non-bank lending companies. Many student loan companies do not lend to international students, but a select few do. These loans do not require borrowers to have a Social Security Number (SSN) or collateral, and some do not even require a co-signer. However, most loans for non-US citizens will require a US co-signer, which will improve the chances of getting approved and lower the interest rate. If a co-signer is required, they must be a US citizen or permanent resident with good credit who has lived in the US for the past two years.

Other Options

Before taking out a private student loan, international students should explore other financial aid options. They can start by researching funding opportunities from their country's embassy or government educational office to see if there are applicable scholarships or grants. They can also use the US Department of Labor's scholarship search engine to identify scholarships, fellowships, grants, and financial aid awards. Additionally, they should check with the college they will be attending to see if they offer financial aid for international students. Some schools have their own financial aid applications, such as the CSS Profile or the International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA).

Frequently asked questions