Lana Oconnell
International students planning to study in the U.S. often face additional costs, including visa fees and international airfare. While international students are not eligible for federal aid from FAFSA, they can still apply for the form with a paper application, as it is required by some schools to determine where they can receive aid from. There are other options to fund their studies, such as private international student loans, scholarships, and grants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is FAFSA for? | U.S. citizens and certain eligible noncitizens |
| Who is ineligible for FAFSA? | International students who don't have a Social Security Number (SSN) |
| What is FAFSA used for? | To determine what financial aid applicants can receive from the federal government or schools |
| What should international students do? | File the form by printing and submitting it via mail |
| What else can international students do? | Apply for private student loans, grants, scholarships, or merit-based aid |
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What You'll Learn
- International students are not eligible for federal aid from FAFSA
- International students can submit a printed FAFSA form via mail
- International students may be eligible for merit or need-based aid
- International students can apply for private student loans
- International students can explore scholarships and grants
International students are not eligible for federal aid from FAFSA
Although international students cannot receive federal student aid, there are alternative funding options available. These include private student loans, grants, and scholarships. Several lenders offer student loans tailored to the needs of international students, such as MPOWER Financing and Brazos. Additionally, international students may qualify for merit or need-based aid, scholarships, and grants.
It is recommended that international students first research the estimated costs of their desired schools, including tuition, fees, books, and daily living expenses. They can then explore different financial aid options to minimise the amount borrowed. Some schools may require international students to fill out the FAFSA form to determine their eligibility for institutional aid, which can be submitted via mail.
Furthermore, international students can consider private cosigned loan options, such as those offered by Ascent. It is important for international students to understand their loan requirements, such as the need for a cosigner and their ability to repay the loan. Overall, while international students may not be eligible for federal aid through FAFSA, there are alternative financing options available to support their education in the US.
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International students can submit a printed FAFSA form via mail
International students cannot apply for federal student aid and are therefore ineligible to apply for the FAFSA. This is because a Social Security number is required to fill out the online FAFSA form. However, in rare cases, a school may require international students to fill out the FAFSA form to determine what financial aid they can offer. In such cases, international students can submit a printed FAFSA form via mail.
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 can submit a printed FAFSA form by mail. It is important to note that some schools may require other forms, such as the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) or school-specific forms. Before filling out any forms, it is recommended that students contact their prospective schools to enquire about their preferred form and any financial aid opportunities available.
There are other options available to international students seeking financial aid for their education in the US. These include private student loans, grants, and scholarships. Several lenders offer student loans tailored to the specific needs of international students, such as MPOWER Financing and Brazos. Additionally, international students can take out student loans from Earnest for graduate school with or without a cosigner.
It is important for international students to understand the estimated costs of their education, including tuition, fees, books, and daily living expenses. They should also explore different options for financial aid and compare lenders to make an informed decision.
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International students may be eligible for merit or need-based aid
International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, including federal grants. However, they may be eligible for merit or need-based aid. While funding for international students is often more limited, they may qualify for certain types of merit or need-based aid.
Merit-based scholarships are usually granted based on a student's academic achievements, extracurricular activities, or other accomplishments. For example, your university may offer scholarships based on TOEFL scores, academic records, artistic ability, musical ability, or athletic ability. Need-based scholarships, on the other hand, are awarded based on financial need. Students who can demonstrate need at a predetermined level are eligible for this type of aid.
International students can also take out private loans, although many financial aid experts advise against taking on too much debt. It is important to note that working on or off-campus, even if permitted, cannot be the sole source of funding for international students. Additionally, many of the financial resources available to international students are deemed taxable. However, in some cases, international students may be exempt from paying taxes on certain forms of financial aid, depending on their visa type, duration of stay in the US, and the type of financial aid award.
To explore your options as an international student, it is recommended to reach out to the financial aid office of your prospective school to inquire about available aid and application requirements.
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International students can apply for private student loans
To apply for an international student loan, it is usually necessary to have a US cosigner. This person is legally responsible for repaying the loan if the borrower defaults and must be a permanent US resident with good credit. The cosigner is often a close friend or relative of the borrower. However, there are also no-cosigner loan options available for international students.
Interest rates for international student loans are typically calculated using the Prime Rate or the SOFR (Secured Overnight Financing Rate). The SOFR is the new benchmark interest rate, replacing LIBOR, and is determined by the federal funds rate set by the US Federal Reserve.
Before applying for an international student loan, it is recommended to explore other financial aid options. This includes researching scholarships, grants, and financial aid offered by the student's country of citizenship, the US government, and the college or university they plan to attend. Additionally, international students can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility for state or school aid. To complete the FAFSA, a Social Security number is required, which may exclude some international students.
In summary, international students can apply for private student loans to fund their education in the US. These loans offer flexible repayment terms and reasonable interest rates, but it is important to first explore other financial aid options and carefully evaluate the total cost of studying in the US.
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International students can explore scholarships and grants
International students can explore several scholarships and grants to fund their education. While it is uncommon for US institutions to offer financial aid to undergraduate international students, some scholarships and grants are available. Here are some options and resources to explore:
Scholarships:
- The Heather Jow Leibowitz Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship is offered to students studying abroad with the School of Field Studies (SFS) in East Africa.
- Bridging Scholarships for Study in Japan: These scholarships provide $2,500-$4,000 for studying in Japan and can also cover travel and living expenses.
- Freeman Asia: This scholarship offers $3,000-$7,000 for students to spend up to eight weeks in one of 15 Asian countries.
- IDB King Abdullah University International Scholarships: The KAUST Fellowship supports graduate students at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia.
- Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship: This scholarship provides support to students from select developing countries with no other source of financial aid for graduate studies. It is a 50% grant and 50% loan.
- Foreign Fulbright Student Program: This program offers scholarships for graduate students from around the world to study in the USA.
- MPOWER Financing: They offer the Global Citizen Scholarship Program with broad eligibility criteria throughout the year, as well as niche scholarships.
- Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program: This program provides comprehensive financial coverage for students from developing countries applying for development-related Master's programs.
Grants:
- Federal Pell Grant: This grant is for US undergraduate students studying in world regions critical to US interests.
- Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship: This grant is awarded to students who want to explore the world through study abroad programs.
Additional Resources:
- International Student: This website offers a comprehensive database of grants, scholarships, loan programs, and other information for international students.
- Fastweb: This website provides access to 1.5 million scholarships. Students can create a profile and track their applications.
- Buddy4Study: A scholarship search engine for Indian students applying to schools in the USA and other countries.
- College Board: A free online financial aid source for scholarships, grants, and loans for college-bound students, including international students wishing to study in the US.
- EducationUSA: A directory of special opportunities and financial aid for international students and scholars.
- EduPASS: A website that offers a list of websites allowing international students to search for scholarships, as well as a glossary of terms related to student financial aid.
It is important to note that eligibility criteria and application processes may vary for each scholarship and grant. International students should carefully review the requirements and reach out to the relevant organizations for more information. Additionally, students can contact the financial aid office of their prospective schools to inquire about institutional aid and other funding opportunities.
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Frequently asked questions
International students cannot apply for federal student aid, but they can still apply for the FAFSA form. This is because some schools require it to determine where they can receive aid from.
International students require a Social Security Number (SSN) to fill out the online FAFSA form. Without an SSN, the form can be submitted via mail.
International students can apply for private student loans, grants, and scholarships. Some lenders that offer student loans for international students include MPOWER Financing, Brazos, and Earnest.
International students often require detailed proof of identity, income, and education. This includes a valid passport or visa, proof of enrollment, and financial information such as bank statements.
