Ibrahim Gardner
International students in the US are generally not eligible for federal student aid, but there are exceptions. For instance, if they are eligible non-citizens, they can receive federal aid. International students can apply for the FAFSA, but it won't qualify them for federal or state financial aid. However, some schools ask international students to complete it anyway, as it can be used to determine what other aid they may be eligible for. Additionally, many private scholarships use the FAFSA as an indication of financial need.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can international students apply for FAFSA? | Yes, international students can apply for FAFSA. |
| What is the eligibility criteria for international students? | International students must complete one year of education in the US and have a Social Security Number (SSN) to apply for FAFSA. |
| What are the other eligibility criteria? | The student must be a US national or a 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”. |
| What if an international student doesn't have an SSN? | They can download the form and fill it out manually. |
| What are the benefits of applying for FAFSA as an international student? | Filling the FAFSA gives international students a head start in their search for financial aid. Many colleges use the FAFSA to decide whether a student is eligible for private financial aid. |
| What are the other financial aid options for international students? | Financial aid may be available from the state where the school is located or the school itself. Many colleges have either need-based or merit-based financial aid packages. |
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What You'll Learn
International students' eligibility for FAFSA
International students can complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form, but they are not eligible for federal or state financial aid. However, some schools may still ask international students to fill out the FAFSA form to assess their eligibility for other types of financial aid.
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 still complete the FAFSA form manually. They may also be eligible for federal aid if they are regarded as eligible non-citizens. According to the Federal Student Aid website, eligible non-citizens must fall under one of the following categories:
- Be a U.S. national (including natives of American Samoa or Swains Island)
- Be 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”
- Have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services with any one of the following designations: Parolee, T-Visa, Conditional Entrant, Refugee, Asylum Granted, Indefinite Parole, Humanitarian Parole, or Cuban-Haitian Entrant
International students can also explore other options for financial aid, such as institutional aid, private scholarships, or financial aid programs offered by their home country. Many colleges have either need-based or merit-based financial aid packages, and some schools have a need-blind admission policy. It is important for international students to check the financial aid policies of each school they apply to and reach out to the financial aid office to learn about their requirements for scholarships.
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FAFSA application process for international students
International students can apply for the FAFSA if they qualify as non-citizens. FAFSA is available to US citizens and eligible non-citizens. According to the Federal Student Aid website, eligible non-citizens must be US nationals (including natives of American Samoa or Swains Island) or US permanent residents with a Form I-551, I-151 (also known as a "green card"), or have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the US.
To complete the FAFSA, students must create an FSA ID using their social security number (SSN). International students who do not meet the above criteria and do not have an SSN are not eligible to apply for FAFSA. However, it is still recommended that they fill out the FAFSA form to become eligible for other US university and state scholarships. Many private scholarships use the FAFSA as an indication of financial need. Additionally, international students can qualify for institutional aid, and most institutions have details of their international student financial aid policy on their website.
The FAFSA application opens on December 31, and the deadline to submit is June 30. It is important to note that you will receive more aid the sooner you apply, and you will need to submit a new application every year. When filling out the FAFSA form, you will need to answer a series of questions to determine if you are a dependent or independent student. If you are a dependent, the form will ask for your parent's information.
If you are an Indian student who does not have US citizenship, you may still be eligible to apply for FAFSA if you have a Certificate of Naturalization (form N-550 or N-570), a Certificate of Citizenship (form N-560 or N-561), or a Documentation of Birth of Citizen Abroad (form FS-240, FS-545, or DS-1350). Additionally, if your parents were working in the US and have a social security number, they can help you apply for federal aid through FAFSA by filing on your behalf.
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Alternatives to FAFSA for international students
International students cannot receive federal aid from the US government, which includes grants and loans. However, there are still ways for them to receive financial aid. Here are some alternatives to FAFSA for international students:
Institutional Aid
International students can receive institutional aid from their schools. Most institutions have a page on their website that details their international student financial aid policy. For example, Stanford University has a set fund for international student financial aid, while Kenyon College requires international students seeking financial aid to complete the CSS Profile and the International Student Financial Aid Application.
Private Scholarships
International students are eligible for private scholarships. Many private scholarships use the FAFSA as an indication of financial need. International students can also check with their home country's embassy or consulate in the United States about the possibility of international scholarships. For example, the Brazil Scientific Mobility Undergraduate Program (BSMP) is a scholarship for Brazilian students to study STEM fields at US colleges and universities for one year, while the Kuwait Cultural Office Merit Scholarship is designed for Kuwaiti students studying at specific US colleges and universities.
Private International Student Loans
If the financial aid available does not cover the total cost of attendance, international students can consider private international student loans. For example, Ascent offers private co-signed loan options for international students.
Home Country Support
International students can also consider seeking support from their home country. Many foreign governments send their outstanding students abroad so that they can apply their newly gained skills back home. For example, the King Abdullah Scholarship Program (KASP) is a generous scholarship for Saudi Arabian students that covers university costs, provides insurance and a monthly stipend, and more.
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FAFSA's impact on international students' financial aid
International students cannot receive federal aid, which includes grants and loans, from the US government. However, they can still apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if they are eligible non-citizens. To be considered an eligible non-citizen, a student must be a US national (including natives of American Samoa or Swains Island) or 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 must also have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the US. To complete the FAFSA, students must create an FSA ID using their Social Security Number (SSN).
Although international students cannot receive federal or state financial aid, they can still receive institutional aid or private scholarships. Many schools require international students seeking financial aid to complete the CSS Profile or the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA). Some schools may also have their own forms. In rare cases, a school may require international students to fill out the FAFSA to receive institutional aid.
Institutional aid for international students is mostly reserved for graduate study in the form of assistantships and fellowships. However, some schools, such as Stanford University, have a set fund for international student financial aid. Students must indicate their need for international financial aid on their application to qualify. It is important to check the financial aid policies of each school before submitting an application, as some schools do not offer any financial aid to international students.
There are also other ways for international students to fund their education. For example, international students can apply for private scholarships, some of which use the FAFSA as an indication of financial need. They can also check with their home country's embassy or consulate in the US about the possibility of international scholarships or grants to study in the US.
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FAFSA deadlines for international students
International students who are US citizens or eligible non-citizens can qualify for student aid through FAFSA to help cover the cost of their program. The FAFSA deadline for the 2025-26 academic year is June 30, 2026. The FAFSA application season typically starts on October 1, and the deadline is usually June 30 or the end of the academic year, whichever is earlier.
The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30 for each academic year, but college and state deadlines are often much sooner. Each state has its own grant and scholarship programs, usually for residents only, and these deadlines can come as early as December or in the early spring months of the following year.
Students who file the FAFSA during the first three months tend to get twice as many grants, on average, as students who file later. It is recommended that students apply for FAFSA as soon as possible after the application opens to maximise their chances of receiving aid.
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Frequently asked questions
International students are not eligible for federal student aid from the US government, so they are not required to complete the FAFSA. However, it is recommended that they fill out the form to increase their chances of obtaining financial aid from institutions that offer it.
International students can complete the FAFSA manually or online. As they do not have Social Security Numbers, it is recommended that they fill out the form online. To do this, they must email the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to obtain an ID to fill out the form.
Many colleges and universities offer financial aid to international students, which can be need-based or merit-based. It is important to check the policy of each school, as some do not offer any financial aid to international students. International students can also apply for private scholarships and may be eligible for financial aid from their home country.
