Janice Lozano
International students are generally not eligible for federal aid through FAFSA. However, they can still apply for FAFSA and may qualify for institutional aid, grants, scholarships, and education loans. To complete the FAFSA form, a Social Security Number (SSN) is required, which international students can obtain after completing one year of education in the US.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can apply? | FAFSA is available to U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens. |
| Who are eligible non-citizens? | - U.S. nationals (including natives of American Samoa or Swains Island) - U.S. 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” - A person with an Arrival-Departure Record I-94 from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with designations such as Refugee, Asylum Granted, Indefinite Parole, Humanitarian Parole, or Cuban-Haitian Entrant - A holder of a T-visa or the child of someone who holds this type of visa - A battered immigrant-qualified alien, or the child of a victim of abuse as defined by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) |
| What do you need to apply? | - A Social Security Number (SSN) to create an FSA ID. - Foreign tax returns must be converted to USD using the latest published exchange rates on the Federal Reserve. |
| What type of aid is available? | - FAFSA provides federal aid for grants, scholarships, student loans, or work-study. - International students can only receive institutional aid through FAFSA, not federal or state aid. - Some colleges and universities use FAFSA to determine eligibility for private financial aid. - International students can also apply for private scholarships, institutional scholarships, and grants. |
| What are the deadlines? | - FAFSA opens on December 31, and the deadline to submit is June 30. - There is no deadline concern for international students regarding federal or state aid. - Some schools have earlier FAFSA deadlines for institutional aid and international scholarship consideration. |
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What You'll Learn
International students' eligibility for FAFSA
International Students Eligibility for FAFSA
FAFSA, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a form that helps US students secure federal aid for their college education. While FAFSA is primarily aimed at US citizens, certain non-citizens are also eligible for FAFSA. International students, however, do not qualify for federal aid through FAFSA.
Eligibility Criteria for Non-Citizens
According to the Federal Student Aid website, eligible non-citizens must fall under one of the following categories:
- Be a US national (including natives of American Samoa or Swains Island)
- 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"
- Have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services with designations like Parolee, Refugee, Asylum Granted, T-Visa holder, Conditional Entrant, or Cuban-Haitian Entrant
International students who meet the above criteria and have a Social Security Number (SSN) can apply for FAFSA. They can create an FSA ID using their SSN to complete the FAFSA form.
Alternatives for International Students
While international students cannot receive federal aid through FAFSA, they can still benefit from filling out the form. FAFSA is used by many states, colleges, and universities to determine eligibility for private financial aid, scholarships, and institutional aid. Therefore, international students who complete the FAFSA form may have a higher chance of obtaining financial assistance from institutions that offer it. Additionally, international students can explore other options for financial aid, such as:
- International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA): Many colleges and universities use this form to determine eligibility for institutional aid.
- CSS Profile: This application is widely used by schools in the US to collect information about a family's income, assets, and expenses in their home currency.
- Institutional Applications: Some schools have their own financial aid applications specifically for international students.
- Private Scholarships: International students can explore private scholarships, including those offered by their home country's embassy or consulate in the United States.
- Private International Student Loans: Lenders like Ascent offer private co-signed loan options for international students.
In conclusion, while international students may not be eligible for federal aid through FAFSA, there are alternative financial aid options available to them. It is important for international students to keep their options open, explore various scholarship opportunities, and stay informed about the specific requirements and deadlines of the schools they are applying to.
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FAFSA application process for international students
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is available to US citizens and eligible non-citizens. Eligible non-citizens include US nationals (including natives of American Samoa or Swains Island) and US permanent residents with a Form I-551, I-151 (also known as a "green card"), or 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, international students are advised to fill out the FAFSA form anyway to become eligible for other US university and state scholarships.
If you are an international student who does qualify as a non-citizen, you can fill out your FAFSA. The application opens on December 31, and the deadline to submit is June 30. You will get more aid the sooner you apply, and you will need to submit a new application every year you take classes in the US. Have your required pieces of documentation ready and complete the FAFSA form. If you aren't eligible to apply for FAFSA, additional funding opportunities may be available. Reach out to the financial aid office of your prospective school and ask how they can help you pay for your program. Financial aid may be available from the state where your school is located or the school itself.
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Alternatives to FAFSA for international students
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is only available to US citizens and eligible non-citizens. International students are not eligible for federal student aid, but there are other options to help fund their education.
International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA)
The ISAFA is a free form used by many colleges and universities to determine eligibility for institutional aid.
CSS Profile
The CSS Profile is another application used by schools across the US. It collects information about a family's income, assets, and expenses in their home currency.
Institutional Applications
Some schools have their own financial aid applications for international students. For example, the University of Pennsylvania requires the CSS Profile and a separate Penn Financial Aid Supplement application.
Private International Student Loans
Some lenders, including Ascent and MPOWER Financing, offer private loans for international students. These loans may require a co-signer who is a US citizen or permanent resident.
Scholarships
International students may also qualify for scholarships offered by their home country's government or specific US colleges and universities. For example, the King Abdullah Scholarship Program (KASP) is a generous scholarship for Saudi Arabian students that covers university costs, provides insurance and a stipend, and pays for airfare. The Brazil Scientific Mobility Undergraduate Program (BSMP) is another scholarship for Brazilian students studying STEM fields in the US.
Grants
International students may also be eligible for merit or need-based grants.
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FAFSA's impact on international students' scholarships
FAFSA, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a form that helps US students and their families access federal aid for grants, scholarships, student loans, or work-study. While FAFSA is only available to US citizens and eligible non-citizens, international students can still apply for FAFSA under certain conditions. International students who are eligible non-citizens include those who are US nationals (including natives of American Samoa or Swains Island), US permanent residents with a Green Card, or those with an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the Department of Homeland Security with designations such as Refugee, Asylum Granted, or Humanitarian Parole. Additionally, international students with a Social Security Number (SSN) can email the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to obtain an ID to fill out the FAFSA form online.
The impact of FAFSA on international students' scholarships is significant. While international students cannot receive federal or state financial aid through FAFSA, completing the FAFSA form is still crucial as it is used by many states and colleges to determine eligibility for private financial aid. FAFSA is also used by universities to determine eligibility for institutional aid. Furthermore, FAFSA can give international students a head start in their search for financial aid and scholarships. Many private scholarships use FAFSA as an indication of financial need, and FAFSA's income-driven payment options can make it easier for international students to manage their scholarship funds.
It is important to note that the process of applying for scholarships and financial aid as an international student can be complex and may vary depending on the school and state. While FAFSA is a crucial step, international students should also explore other options for financial aid, such as institutional scholarships, grants, and loans specifically for international students. Some colleges and universities use the International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA) or the CSS Profile to determine eligibility for institutional aid. Additionally, international students can check with their home country's embassy or consulate in the US about the possibility of international scholarships and grants.
In summary, while FAFSA itself may not directly provide scholarships for international students, it is an important tool that can increase their chances of obtaining financial aid and scholarships from other sources. FAFSA helps demonstrate financial need and can make it easier for international students to access the funds necessary to pursue their educational goals in the US.
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FAFSA deadlines for international students
International students who are US citizens or eligible non-citizens can apply for student aid through FAFSA to study abroad. The deadlines for FAFSA applications are as follows:
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 FAFSA deadline for the 2024-2025 academic year is June 30, 2025. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the deadline is June 30, 2026. The FAFSA for the 2026-27 academic year is expected to be available from October 1, 2025.
It is important to note that while the federal deadline is June 30, college and state deadlines are often much sooner. Each college and state has its own financial aid deadline, and some state grant programs have very early FAFSA deadlines. Therefore, it is recommended to submit the FAFSA form as early as possible to maximize the chances of receiving aid.
Students can make corrections to the FAFSA after the deadline, but they must be submitted by mid-September, about two and a half months after the June 30 deadline. Additionally, students who miss the deadline can contact their school's financial aid office to discuss any remaining options.
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Frequently asked questions
International students can fill out the FAFSA, but they won't qualify for federal or state financial aid. However, it is still recommended to fill out the form as it is used to determine eligibility for other scholarships and grants.
International students may qualify as eligible non-citizens if they meet any of the following criteria:
- Holding a T-visa or being the child of someone who holds this type of visa
- Being a victim of abuse or the child of a victim as defined by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
- Having an Arrival-Departure Record I-94 from the DHS with designations such as Refugee, Asylum Granted, or Humanitarian Parole
International students can explore other financial aid options such as private scholarships, institutional scholarships, grants, and education loans. Some applications for financial assistance include the International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA) and the CSS Profile.
International students will have differences in their citizenship status and may not have a Social Security Number (SSN) required to create an FSA ID. They can email their SSN to obtain an ID or download and fill out the form manually.
