Ssns And Fafsa: International Students' Eligibility Explained

International students who are not US citizens or permanent residents are generally not eligible to apply for FAFSA. However, there are some exceptions where non-citizens can fill out the FAFSA and qualify for federal aid. For instance, if you are a US national, a US permanent resident with a Form I-551, I-151 (also known as a green card), or have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the US, you may be eligible to apply for FAFSA. Additionally, international students with a valid Social Security Number (SSN) may also be eligible to apply for FAFSA. It is important to note that FAFSA is not the only option for international students seeking financial aid, as there are other forms of financial aid available, such as institutional scholarships, grants, and education loans specifically for international students.

International students with SSN—eligibility criteria for FAFSA

International students with a Social Security number (SSN) may be eligible to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), but only if they meet the criteria for non-citizen eligibility. According to the Federal Student Aid website, eligible non-citizens must be either a U.S. national (including natives of American Samoa or Swains Island) or a U.S. 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". Alternatively, eligible non-citizens can be citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau.

To complete the FAFSA, students must create an FSA ID using their SSN. However, it's important to note that having an SSN alone does not guarantee eligibility for FAFSA. The basic FAFSA eligibility requirements include the need for financial aid to study in the US, enrolment or acceptance of enrolment in a degree or certificate program, and maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Additionally, only students who are eligible for federal student aid can complete the FAFSA and qualify for federal financial aid.

Even if international students with an SSN do not meet the eligibility criteria for FAFSA, there are still other opportunities for financial aid. Many universities use the information from the FAFSA form to offer scholarships to international students. Additionally, there are grants and scholarships specifically for international students, such as the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, which provides funding for graduate students and young professionals to study and conduct research in the US.

While federal aid, including Pell Grants and federal student loans, is typically limited to US citizens and permanent residents, there are some lenders, such as MPOWER, that offer student loans for international students that do not require co-signers. These loans can provide funding for international students studying in the US or Canada.

FAFSA alternatives for international students

International students are not eligible for federal funding in the US, and therefore cannot receive financial aid from FAFSA. However, there are alternative options for financial assistance that international students can apply for.

College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile

The CSS Profile is a financial aid application used by some colleges and universities to award institutional aid. It is not a substitute for FAFSA and will not make a student eligible for federal or state financial aid. The CSS Profile evaluates a student's finances to determine their eligibility for certain scholarships. It requires details such as a student's family income, assets and expenses in their home country's currency. Both undergraduate and graduate students can complete the CSS Profile, regardless of citizenship status, if their school requires it.

International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA)

The ISFAA is a standardised form used by some schools in the US to evaluate the financial need of international students and determine their eligibility for student aid. It is a paper application that can be downloaded directly from the school website, filled out, and mailed to the institution's financial aid office. Unlike the CSS Profile and FAFSA, the ISFAA is solely for the use of international students.

Scholarships and grants

Many schools and private organisations offer their own funding for scholarships and grants, based on need, merit or academic achievement. These include subject-based grants, grants based on a student's country of origin, hardship funds, or grants provided by charities or official bodies.

Private student loans

Private student loans are generally considered a last resort due to higher interest rates and less attractive repayment plans compared to federal loans. However, international students who can get a creditworthy US citizen or permanent resident as a cosigner might be eligible for a private alternative student loan.

Financial aid counsellors

Financial aid counsellors can be a valuable source of information on scholarships and grants, and can help students find more aid. They can also help students navigate the FAFSA or school admissions processes.

FAFSA application process for international students

International students with a Social Security Number (SSN) can apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if they are eligible non-citizens. According to the Federal Student Aid website, eligible non-citizens must be either a U.S. national (including natives of American Samoa or Swains Island) or a U.S. 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". Additionally, eligible non-citizens must have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the U.S.

The FAFSA application process for international students involves the following steps:

• Create an FSA ID: To complete the FAFSA application, students must first create an FSA ID using their SSN.
• Complete the FAFSA form: The FAFSA form can be found on the Federal Student Aid website. The form includes a series of questions to determine the student's dependency status and, if applicable, their parents' financial information. It is important to note that the FAFSA typically opens on December 31, and the deadline to submit is June 30.
• Explore additional funding opportunities: In cases where federal financial aid does not cover the full cost of attendance, international students can consider private international student loans, such as those offered by Ascent with co-signed loan options.
• Connect with the financial aid office: Students can reach out to the financial aid office of their prospective school to inquire about additional financial aid opportunities and scholarships.
• Research scholarships: International students can explore various scholarships specifically for international students studying abroad. Guidance counsellors and financial aid offices can provide support and information on scholarship opportunities.
• Annual renewal: It is important to note that students will need to submit a new FAFSA application every year they take classes in the U.S.

FAFSA income limits for international students

International students with a Social Security Number (SSN) can apply for the FAFSA if they are eligible non-citizens. Eligible non-citizens include US nationals, including natives of American Samoa or Swains Island, or permanent residents with a Form I-551, I-151 (Permanent Resident Card, Resident Alien Card, or Alien Registration Receipt Card), also known as a "green card". International students must also have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the US.

While there are no income limits for the FAFSA, a student's family income does affect their financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA considers many factors, including family size and the schools the applicant wishes to attend.

Some federal financial aid is distributed only to low-income students. For example, the Pell Grant is a federal grant worth up to $7,395 for the 2023-24 school year, and it is only for students with exceptional financial need. However, there are also other types of financial aid, such as unsubsidized or Direct PLUS Loans, that do not have income requirements.

FAFSA grants for international students

International students cannot apply for federal student aid and are therefore ineligible for FAFSA grants. To complete the FAFSA form, students must create an FSA ID using their social security number (SSN). However, international students with an SSN who meet specific criteria may be eligible to apply for FAFSA. To qualify, non-citizens must be a US national or 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 must also have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the US.

Although international students cannot receive federal or state aid, they may still be eligible for institutional aid, including grants and scholarships. For example, first-time international students at Howard University in Washington, DC, are not eligible for need-based aid in their first year, but they can qualify for merit aid through Howard University Freshman Scholarships. Additionally, in rare cases, some schools may require international students to fill out the FAFSA form to determine eligibility for institutional aid. However, this must be submitted on paper, as an SSN is required to fill out the online FAFSA form.

While funding for international students is often more limited, they may qualify for other types of merit or need-based aid. For instance, DACA recipients and other undocumented students can sometimes receive scholarships and state aid to pay for college. Furthermore, private international student loans are an option for those who do not qualify for other forms of financial aid.

Frequently asked questions