Lana Oconnell
International students often face tuition rates up to three times higher than their American counterparts, so it is important to understand what financial aid is available. While federal aid is generally limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, international students may be eligible for Pell Grants depending on their residency status. Students with certain visas, refugees, and asylees may also qualify for federal financial aid. Additionally, international students can apply for institutional scholarships, grants, and education loans, as well as merit- and need-based scholarships.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pell Grant eligibility | Pell Grants are generally limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. However, international students may be eligible depending on their residency status. |
| Residency status | Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island are eligible as they are U.S. nationals. Permanent residents are also eligible. |
| Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) | Students with an Arrival-Departure Record showing "Refugee," "Asylum Granted," "Cuban-Haitian Entrant," "Conditional Entrant" (pre-04/01/1980), or "Parolee" are eligible. |
| T-visa | Students who hold or have parents who hold a T-visa (for victims of human trafficking) are eligible. |
| Battered immigrant status | Students who are considered battered immigrant-qualified aliens are eligible. |
| Citizenship | Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau are eligible for Pell Grants, with some limitations. |
| Enrollment status | Students enrolled at least half-time in a post-baccalaureate teacher certification or licensure program are eligible for a Pell Grant. |
| Incarcerated individuals | Beginning with the 2023-2024 award year, incarcerated individuals are eligible for a Pell Grant if they enroll in an eligible Prison Education Program (PEP). |
| Dual-degree programs | Students enrolled in dual-degree programs are considered undergraduates for the first three years and may be eligible for Pell Grants during this period. |
| Institutional scholarships | Many universities offer institutional scholarships, grants, and loans for international students. |
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What You'll Learn
International students' eligibility for federal student aid
International students may be eligible for federal student aid in the US, but it depends on their residency status. Generally, federal financial aid is available to US citizens and permanent residents, including those with green cards, and refugees or those granted asylum. Students with non-immigrant visas are typically not eligible for federal aid.
There are some exceptions, and certain non-citizens can fill out the FAFSA and qualify for federal aid. This includes students with an Arrival-Departure Record showing “Refugee,” “Asylum Granted,” “Cuban-Haitian Entrant,” “Conditional Entrant” (pre-04/01/1980), or “Parolee.” Students who hold or have parents who hold a T-visa, or T non-immigrant status, are also eligible.
International students can also apply for financial aid from their prospective colleges and universities, who can decide if international students receive financial aid. This may include institutional grants, scholarships, or work-study programs. Some colleges might offer merit-based scholarships to international students who have excelled in their coursework. Need-based scholarships are also available for students who can demonstrate financial need.
In addition, there are private student loans from banks and lenders that international students can apply for. These loans tend to have less favourable rates and terms than federal financial aid.
Finally, international students can look into scholarships from their home country's government or embassy. Some countries may have financial aid programs to help students study in the US.
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International students and the FAFSA
International students are generally not eligible for federal financial aid in the US. However, there are some exceptions. For instance, citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau may be eligible for Pell Grants. 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 also be eligible for federal financial aid.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form issued by the US Department of Education that college and graduate school students must complete to qualify for federal financial aid, including Pell Grants and federal student loans. To fill out the FAFSA, students must be US citizens or permanent residents with a valid Social Security number. However, in some cases, international students may be eligible to complete the FAFSA if they meet certain criteria. For example, international students with an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) showing specific statuses or those with a T-visa for victims of human trafficking may be eligible.
It's important to note that even if international students are not eligible for federal student aid through the FAFSA, they may still qualify for financial aid from other sources. Many universities use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for institutional grants, scholarships, or work-study programs. Additionally, international students can explore private student loans from banks and lenders, which may offer more favourable terms than federal loans.
International students can also explore other options for financial aid, such as scholarships and grants specifically for international students. These may be merit-based, awarded for special skills, academic record, artistic ability, or athletic ability, or need-based, where students must demonstrate financial need. Additionally, some universities may offer waived application fees or other supplements or waivers to help offset the cost of attendance. It is recommended that international students consult with their university's financial aid office to explore all available options for financial assistance.
While financial aid for international students may be limited, it is not impossible to obtain. By researching eligibility criteria, completing the necessary applications, and exploring various funding sources, international students can access the financial resources they need to pursue their educational goals in the United States.
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International students and institutional aid
International students are not eligible for federal student aid in the US, including Pell Grants, which are reserved for US citizens and permanent residents. However, they may still qualify for institutional aid, which includes grants and scholarships.
While it is uncommon for US institutions to offer aid to undergraduate international students, some universities do provide scholarships or grants to talented international students. These scholarships are often merit-based, awarded to students with special skills, talents, or abilities. For example, scholarships may be based on TOEFL scores, academic records, artistic ability, musical ability, or athletic ability. Other scholarships are need-based, awarded to students who can demonstrate financial need.
Some universities also offer their own institutional loans for international students. For example, MPOWER Financing offers no-collateral, no-cosigner education loans for international students. Additionally, some private legal lenders in the US offer loans to international students, although these usually require a creditworthy co-signer who is a US citizen or permanent resident.
To apply for institutional aid, 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 used by many colleges and universities to determine eligibility for institutional aid. The CSS Profile collects information about a student's family income, assets, and expenses in their home currency. Some schools, such as the University of Pennsylvania, also have their own financial aid applications, like the Penn Financial Aid Supplement application.
It is important to note that institutional aid for international students is often competitive due to the benefits and limited funding. International students are encouraged to consult with their university to take advantage of any available financial aid opportunities.
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International students and merit-based scholarships
As a general rule, federal financial aid in the US is limited to citizens and permanent residents. However, international students can still qualify for financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, and loans.
Merit-based scholarships for international students in the US
Merit-based scholarships are granted based on special skills, talents, or abilities. Many US universities offer merit-based scholarships to international students. These scholarships are often highly competitive, and applicants will need to demonstrate exceptional ability in the area required.
- Colby-Sawyer College: Merit-based financial aid of up to $8,000 per year, based on academic ability (measured in GPA).
- Concordia College: International Student Merit Scholarships of $11,000 to $17,000 per year, based on academic ability and family need.
- Dartmouth College: Meets the demonstrated need of all admitted undergraduates, including international students.
- East Tennessee State University: International Students Academic Merit Scholarship of $5,000-$9,000 per academic year for new international students.
- Emory College: Offers partial to full merit-based scholarships through the Emory University Scholars Program.
- Illinois Wesleyan University: Merit-based scholarships of $16,000 to $30,000 per year, renewable for up to four years, for international applicants with outstanding academic achievement and test scores.
- Iowa State University: International Merit Scholarships of $2,000 to $10,000 per year, renewable, for international freshmen based on a holistic review of SAT or ACT scores and high school marks/grades.
- Michigan State University: Offers a limited number of scholarships and grants to deserving international students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
- New York University Wagner Scholarships: Partial to full tuition scholarships of $25,000-$47,000 for a limited number of admitted students, including international students.
- Oregon State University: Merit-based scholarships and regional availability-based scholarships for international students.
- University of Arizona Tucson: Wildcat Award for on-campus, online, and hybrid mode of learning students based on merit.
- Arizona State University Phoenix: New American University (NAMU) Scholarship for undergraduate students with high academic excellence.
- Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond: Merit-based scholarships during the fall semester only, covering in-state costs.
- Colorado State University Fort Collins: Merit-based scholarships for international freshmen seeking admission for the spring or fall semester.
- George Mason University Fairfax County: #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship for first-year, undergraduate international students on F-1 visas.
- Manhattanville College New York: Merit-based scholarships for freshmen and transfer students.
- University of South Florida Tampa: Merit-based scholarships for freshman or transfer students admitted in the fall semester.
- Saint Louis University St. Louis: Merit-based scholarships and competitive scholarships for international students.
- University of Alabama Birmingham: Departmental scholarships and freshmen scholarships for international students.
- Washington State University Pullman: International Academic Award, including merit-based and departmental-based scholarships for international students.
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International students and private student loans
Generally, federal aid is limited to US citizens and permanent residents. However, international students can still qualify for financial aid in the form of institutional scholarships, grants, and education loans.
Private Student Loans for International Students
International students can apply for private student loans from banks and lenders. These loans are offered by banks and lenders who lend to international students. While federal financial aid comes with better benefits than private aid, private student loans are still an option for international students who may not qualify for federal aid.
Eligibility for Private Student Loans
International students seeking private student loans should be aware that eligibility requirements vary by lender. For example, some lenders may require a co-signer who is a US citizen or permanent resident, while others may not. Additionally, a valid Social Security number is usually necessary to fill out the FAFSA, which is a form issued by the US Department of Education that determines eligibility for federal financial aid. However, international students without Social Security numbers can explore other options, such as the International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA) or the CSS Profile, to demonstrate their need for financial aid.
Popular Private Student Loan Options for International Students
- MPOWER Private Student Loan: Best for international student loans without a co-signer.
- Ascent Credit-based Student Loan: Best for DACA student loans without a co-signer.
- Earnest International Graduate Loan: Best for graduate DACA student loans without a co-signer.
- Sallie Mae Undergraduate Student Loan: Best for international student loans with a co-signer.
- College Ave Private Student Loan: Best for international student loans with a co-signer.
- Brazos Private Student Loan: Best for international student loans with a co-signer.
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Frequently asked questions
Generally, international students are not eligible for federal student aid, including Pell Grants. However, there are exceptions for certain non-citizens, such as U.S. nationals and permanent residents.
Eligible non-citizens include U.S. nationals, permanent residents, refugees, and asylees. Those with specific visas, such as a T-visa or an Arrival-Departure Record showing specific statuses, may also be eligible.
International students can receive financial aid through scholarships, institutional grants, or private student loans. Some colleges and universities may offer financial aid to international students, and foreign governments may have financial aid programs for their citizens studying in the U.S.
Pell Grants are typically available to undergraduate students with financial need. Students enrolled in post-baccalaureate teaching certification programs may also be eligible under certain conditions. Additionally, incarcerated individuals enrolled in eligible Prison Education Programs can receive Pell Grants.
