Savanna Hoffman
International students face many challenges when it comes to financing their education in the United States. While federal student aid is not available to international students, there are alternative funding options to consider. To begin with, international students can explore private international student loans offered by organisations like Ascent. Additionally, both private and public institutions may waive application fees, and some universities offer financial incentives for students. International students can also pursue on-campus employment opportunities and apply for merit-based or need-based scholarships. Although minimal scholarship aid is available specifically for international students, it is still advisable for them to fill out the FAFSA form to determine eligibility for other US university and state scholarships. This form is a crucial step in the financial aid process and can help international students access a range of funding opportunities to support their educational journey in the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | International students are not eligible for federal student aid. |
| Application | International students without an SSN cannot apply for FAFSA. |
| Alternatives | International students can apply for private international student loans, and some scholarships and grants. |
| FAFSA Form | International students are advised to fill out the FAFSA form to determine eligibility for other scholarships and grants. |
| Parent Information | Parents of international students do not need an SSN to complete their section of the FAFSA form. |
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What You'll Learn
- International students without an SSN are ineligible for FAFSA
- International students can fill out the FAFSA form to determine eligibility for other scholarships
- FAFSA is available to eligible non-citizens
- International students can consider private international student loans
- International students can pursue on-campus employment
International students without an SSN are ineligible for FAFSA
International students who are not US citizens or eligible noncitizens are not eligible for federal student aid and cannot apply for FAFSA. To be considered an eligible noncitizen, the student must select the "Eligible noncitizen" option under the "Student Citizenship Status" section of the FAFSA form. If the student reports an A-number on the FAFSA form, that information is checked against the US Department of Homeland Security's database. If there is no confirmation of eligible noncitizen status, the student must submit immigration documentation to the college or career school they plan to attend for review.
While a parent does not need an SSN for their child's FAFSA form, the student must have an SSN to apply for FAFSA themselves. If the student is an eligible noncitizen but does not have an SSN, they can follow alternative steps to complete the FAFSA form. For example, they can get an FSA ID (StudentAid.gov account username and password) without an SSN to access and complete their section of the FAFSA form.
Undocumented students can find possible sources of aid via StudentAid.gov/noncitizen, which provides a list of colleges and career schools that provide aid for undocumented students. Additionally, listservs for counselors and college access professionals can be a good source of information on financial aid for undocumented students.
It is important to note that the parent's immigration status is not considered in determining the student's eligibility for federal student aid. However, if the parent is completing a section of the FAFSA form and does not have an SSN, that field will be left blank and disabled. If the parent has an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), they should include it in the designated field on the FAFSA form.
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International students can fill out the FAFSA form to determine eligibility for other scholarships
International students are not eligible for federal student aid in the US. However, international students can fill out the FAFSA form to determine their eligibility for other scholarships. To complete the FAFSA form, students must create an FSA ID using their social security number (SSN). International students who do not have an SSN are not eligible to apply for the FAFSA.
The FAFSA form is available to US citizens and eligible non-citizens. Eligible non-citizens must fall under one of the following categories: be a US national (including natives of American Samoa or Swains Island) or 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". They may also have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the US.
There are other ways for international students to reduce the costs of their education. For example, if they have taken International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced Placement (AP) courses, they can have these credentials evaluated to see if some of the credits can be applied to reduce the time to graduation. They can also pursue on-campus employment after their first year of study or begin their US studies at a community college and then transfer the credits to a four-year institution.
Some public and private universities offer financial incentives for students, and most of the institutional aid available to international students is reserved for graduate study in the form of assistantships and fellowships. Merit-based scholarships are granted based on special skills, talents, or abilities, and need-based scholarships are awarded based on financial need. Academic departments within the university may have funds allocated to assist international students with exceptional need and/or talent.
International students can also consider private international student loans. Ascent, for example, offers private co-signed loan options for international students.
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FAFSA is available to eligible non-citizens
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is available to US citizens and eligible non-citizens. To complete the FAFSA form, students must create an FSA ID using their social security number (SSN). International students who do not have an SSN are not eligible to apply for FAFSA unless they qualify as eligible non-citizens.
Eligible non-citizens include US nationals, including natives of Samoa or Swains Island, or permanent residents with a Form I-551, I-151 (also known as a green card). They must also have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the US.
During the application process, students will be asked about their citizenship or immigration status. If the student is an eligible non-citizen and reports an A-number on the FAFSA form, that information is checked against the US Department of Homeland Security's database. If the match doesn't confirm the student's eligibility, they will have to submit immigration documentation to the college.
It's important to note that the FAFSA application opens on December 31, and the deadline to submit is June 30. Applicants should also be aware that they will receive more aid the sooner they apply, and they will need to submit a new application every year they take classes in the US.
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International students can consider private international student loans
International students who are not US citizens or eligible non-citizens are not eligible for federal student aid. They can, however, consider private international student loans to help cover costs while studying at college in the US.
Private student loans are available to international students to cover education-related expenses, including the cost of attendance, room and board, books, and insurance. Many international students apply for loans to help pay for college, especially as the costs can add up when tuition, transportation, health insurance, and other expenses are factored in.
International students must apply with a co-signer who is a US citizen or permanent resident with a good credit rating and income history. The co-signer must also have lived in the US for the past two years. The co-signer makes a legal agreement to be jointly responsible for the repayment of the loan if the borrower fails to pay their debts in a timely manner. There are also no-cosigner loans available to students at a growing number of universities and colleges. Students can check their eligibility for a loan without a co-signer.
Some lenders may offer an opportunity to release the co-signer from their obligation once certain conditions are met. Students can use loan comparison tools to find the best international student loans for their needs. They can evaluate lenders based on cost, loan amounts and terms, APRs, repayment options, and more.
Examples of lenders that offer private student loans for international students include Earnest, Ascent, Citizens Bank, and MPower Financing.
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International students can pursue on-campus employment
International students in the US on an F-1 visa can pursue on-campus employment, which is the most easily available type of work for them. This does not require approval from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). However, opportunities for on-campus employment are limited at most schools, and the pay is typically low. Before taking up on-campus employment, international students will likely need to obtain permission from their school's International Student Office, and some schools may not permit this during the student's first year.
On-campus employment is defined as work that takes place at the school or at an educationally affiliated location. This includes work for on-campus commercial businesses, such as bookstores or cafeterias, as long as the work directly provides services for students. Employment located on campus that does not directly involve services to students (e.g., construction work) does not qualify as on-campus employment. On-campus employment also includes work for the school itself, such as a teaching or research assistant, or jobs in the university library, dining facilities, laboratories, and administrative offices.
There are several rules and regulations that international students must follow regarding on-campus employment. Firstly, their employment must not displace a US citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR). Secondly, they may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during holidays and vacations, but only if they intend to return to school the next semester. Lastly, they should report their work and receive a certification letter to present to the Social Security Administration to obtain a Social Security number.
It is important for international students to consider the potential benefits of on-campus employment beyond financial gain, such as gaining valuable work experience and skills for future employment. For example, starting as a grader could lead to becoming a teaching assistant, providing opportunities to develop computer and communication skills.
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Frequently asked questions
International students can apply for FSA, but they must have an SSN to qualify. International students without an SSN are not eligible to apply.
International students can use the official FAFSA online portal or mobile application. After submitting the form, students will receive a student aid report (SAR). They can then check the information on the report by logging into the FAFSA online portal and selecting "View SAR" from the "My FAFSA" page.
Minimal scholarship aid is available to international students, and most of it is reserved for graduate study. Private and public institutions may waive application fees in some situations. Merit-based scholarships are granted based on special skills, talents, or abilities, while need-based scholarships are awarded based on financial need.
The FAFSA opens on December 31, and the deadline to submit is June 30.
