Financial Aid For International Students In American Universities

International students often have to pay for travel costs, visas, tuition, housing, and meal plans, which can be expensive. While studying in the US, international students can apply for financial aid from their universities, which can help cover these costs. This financial aid is usually calculated based on a student's financial circumstances, and they are not required to pay it back.

US universities that offer financial aid to international students

The cost of studying in the US can be expensive, so financial aid can help bring down tuition costs by at least 20%. Many US universities offer financial aid to international students, so there is a good chance that you will get some funding through your college. This will make it easier to manage living costs in the US. Financial aid is also often renewable, and in some cases, international students are eligible for a full tuition fee waiver.

US universities offering financial aid to international students

• Amherst College
• Barnard College
• Brandeis University
• Brown University
• Bryn Mawr College
• Bucknell University
• California Institute of Technology
• Carleton College
• Claremont McKenna College
• Clark University
• Colgate University
• College of Wooster
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Dartmouth College
• Davidson College
• Emory University
• Franklin & Marshall College
• Gettysburg College
• Grinnell College
• Harvard University
• Lafayette College
• Macalester College
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Mt. Holyoke College
• Northwestern University
• Occidental College
• Oberlin College
• Pitzer College
• Pomona College
• Princeton University
• Rice University
• Stanford University
• St John’s College
• Swarthmore College
• Trinity College
• Tufts University
• University of Chicago
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Rochester
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Wisconsin - Madison
• Vanderbilt University
• Vassar College
• Washington and Lee
• Washington University in St. Louis
• Wellesley College
• Wesleyan University
• Williams College
• Yale University
• University of Vermont
• Arizona State University
• Stanford University
• Pitzer College
• Pomona College
• New York University
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Stevens Institute of Technology
• The University of Chicago
• Johns Hopkins University
• Rochester Institute of Technology
• University of Dallas
• Florida Institute of Technology
• Northwestern University
• Northeastern University
• St Lawrence University
• Brandeis University
• University of Rochester
• University of Pennsylvania
• Ohio State University
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Oregon
• University of Portland
• Southern Methodist University
• Villanova University
• Texas Christian University
• St Mary’s University, San Antonio
• Northwood University
• California Lutheran University
• California State University San Bernardino
• Dominican University of California
• Notre Dame de Namur University
• Pepperdine University
• University of Dubuque
• University of San Diego
• University of Southern California
• University of Denver
• University of Southern Indiana
• State University of New York
• Valparaiso University
• Quinnipiac University
• Texas Wesleyan University
• University of Bridgeport
• American University
• Campbell University
• Saint Louis University
• Catholic University of America
• George Washington University
• The University of Tampa
• University of Central Florida
• University of Miami
• Illinois Wesleyan University
• Ball State University
• Grand Valley State University
• University of Minnesota
• Minnesota State University Mankato
• University of Nebraska
• Washington University in St Louis
• Creighton University
• Fairleigh Dickinson University
• Western Oregon University
• New Mexico Highlands University
• Clarkson University
• Wittenberg University
• The University of Tulsa
• George Fox University
• Marywood University
• Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
• Johnson & Wales University
• Roger Williams University
• Salve Regina University
• Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

US universities giving maximum financial aid to international students

The following universities offered the highest average financial aid to international students in the 2023-24 academic year:

• Lee University
• Washington University
• Georgetown University
• Vanderbilt University

Types of scholarships

There are various types of scholarships available to international students, including:

• Merit-based scholarships
• Need-based scholarships
• Need-blind scholarships
• Full tuition fee waivers
• Partial tuition fee waivers

How to apply for financial aid as an international student

International students can face additional costs when studying at U.S. colleges, including visa application fees and international airfare. While funding for international students is often more limited, there are ways to reduce the total cost of attendance.

Types of financial aid available to international students

International students don't qualify for federal or state aid, and typically use personal and other financial resources to cover tuition and expenses. However, there are options available at the institutional level, including grants, scholarships, and private loans.

To apply for financial aid, international students may be required to fill out the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) or the CSS Profile, which is used by private colleges. Some universities may also have their own forms.

Deadlines

Aid deadlines vary per school, but typically align with application deadlines.

Tips for applying for financial aid as an international student

• Consider colleges you might not have heard of, instead of only applying to schools with a highly recognizable name brand.
• Don't count out private colleges—the type of aid they offer might make them more affordable than a state university.
• Be aware that very few schools are need-blind, meaning an applicant's financial situation is often considered in the admissions decision.
• International students can also take out private loans, although many financial aid experts advise against taking on too much debt.

Types of financial aid: need-based, merit-based, need blind, athletics-based

The cost of studying at a US college as an international student can be high, with expenses for tuition, housing, meal plans, books, supplies, travel, and visa applications. Many colleges offer financial aid packages to international students, which can vary depending on the type of aid. Here are some of the types of financial aid available:

Need-Based Financial Aid

Need-based financial aid is awarded based on the financial need of the student. Some colleges may offer full need-based financial aid, while others may provide partial assistance. The amount of aid provided can vary significantly between institutions, even for students with similar financial needs. Need-based aid can be in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, or work-study programs.

Merit-Based Financial Aid

Merit-based financial aid, also known as scholarships, is awarded based on academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, leadership potential, extracurricular involvement, or other outstanding achievements. Many colleges offer merit-based scholarships, which can cover a significant portion of tuition fees. Some examples of merit-based scholarships include the #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship, the John M. Belk Scholarship, and the Wells Scholars Program.

Need-Blind Financial Aid

Need-blind admission policies do not consider an applicant's financial status when deciding on acceptance. This approach typically results in a higher percentage of accepted students requiring financial assistance. Only a handful of colleges in the US offer need-blind admission and full financial aid to international students, including Brown University, Georgetown University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Princeton University. Other colleges may offer need-blind admission to domestic students but not to international applicants.

Athletics-Based Financial Aid

While not widely mentioned, some universities do offer athletics-based scholarships to international students. Davidson College, for example, offers the John M. Belk Scholarship, which considers a student's athletic achievements alongside their academic and extracurricular records.

Average financial aid offered to international students

Studying at a US college as an international student can be expensive. There are tuition, housing, meal plans, books, supplies, travel, and visa application costs to consider. However, many US colleges offer financial aid packages to international students to help with these expenses.

The average financial aid package for international students at US colleges is around $77,000. This figure is from a list of the 20 undergraduate institutions in the US where the average amount of financial aid for international students was the highest. At the 533 undergraduate schools ranked among Best Value Schools, the average amount of financial aid given to international students was about $26,800.

Universities Offering Financial Aid to International Students

• Harvard University, Massachusetts
• Yale University, Connecticut
• Princeton University, New Jersey
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Dartmouth College, New Hampshire
• Amherst College, Massachusetts
• Carleton College, Minnesota
• Rice University, Texas
• University of Miami, Florida
• Washington and Lee University, Virginia
• Centre College
• Davidson College
• Indiana University - Bloomington
• Lynn University
• St. Lawrence University
• University of Wisconsin - Madison
• Washington University in St. Louis
• American University in Washington, DC
• New York University
• Tulane University
• Stanford University, California
• Pitzer College, California
• Pomona College, California
• University of Vermont
• Arizona State University

Factors Affecting Financial Aid Amounts

The amount of financial aid offered to international students can vary depending on various factors, including the university's location, the student's financial circumstances, and the university's resources. Financial aid packages are usually calculated based on a student's financial circumstances, and students may need to provide evidence of their family income and savings.

Universities that offer the most financial aid

U.S. Universities that Offer the Most Financial Aid to International Students

Overview

Studying at a U.S. university as an international student can be expensive, with costs for tuition, housing, meal plans, books, and travel. Many U.S. colleges recognise this and offer financial aid packages to international students. The average financial aid package for international students at U.S. schools is nearly $77,000.

Wesleyan University

Wesleyan University, a private liberal arts school in Connecticut, awarded the largest amount of financial aid per international student, about $83,000. During the 2022-2023 academic year, 84 international students received aid.

Stanford University, Pitzer College, and Pomona College

Three California-based colleges, Stanford University, Pitzer College, and Pomona College, are the only colleges on the list of 20 schools that are not located along the East Coast.

University of Vermont

Among public schools, the University of Vermont awarded the most aid to international students, about $39,500 on average, with funds given out to 97 international students during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Arizona State University

Although the average amount of aid was lower at Arizona State University, about $12,200 per international student, it offered aid to 2,500 international students, the most of any public or private institution that provided data.

Other Universities

Other universities that offer generous financial aid packages for both domestic and international students include:

• Harvard University, Massachusetts
• Yale University, Connecticut
• Princeton University, New Jersey
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Massachusetts
• Dartmouth College, New Hampshire
• Amherst College, Massachusetts
• Carleton College, Minnesota
• Rice University, Texas
• University of Miami, Florida
• Washington and Lee University, Virginia

Frequently asked questions