Savanna Hoffman
International students face additional costs when studying in the US, including visa application fees and international airfare. While funding is often more limited for these students, they may still qualify for certain types of merit or need-based aid. To qualify for institutional financial aid from colleges and universities, international students may be required to complete the ISFAA (International Student Financial Aid Application). The ISFAA is a paper application that helps institutions understand a family’s financial need and equitably distribute financial aid accordingly. Many colleges also use the CSS Profile, a common financial aid application that costs between $16-25 USD per school. The CSS Profile collects information about a family’s income, assets, and expenses, and applicants can enter the information in their home currency.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application forms | CSS Profile, ISFAA, FAFSA |
| Application cost | $16-25 USD per school |
| Application deadline | Varies by school |
| Supporting documents | Bank documents, federal documents |
| Applicant information | Family income, assets, expenses |
| Applicant's citizenship | International students |
| Aid type | Merit-based, need-based |
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What You'll Learn
Understanding your eligibility
Eligibility for Financial Aid as an International Student:
Firstly, it's important to note that international students are not eligible for federal student aid in the United States. Federal financial aid in the form of loans, grants, or work-study opportunities is typically reserved for U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, and refugees and asylees. However, this doesn't mean that there is no financial support available to international students.
Need-Blind vs. Need-Aware Institutions:
Some schools may be need-blind, meaning they do not consider an applicant's financial situation during the admission process. However, it's important to understand that some institutions may be need-blind for U.S. citizens but need-aware for international students. This means that your financial situation may be a factor in their admission decision.
Types of Financial Aid for International Students:
International students may qualify for certain types of merit-based or need-based aid. While funding for international students is often more limited, there are still opportunities to explore. Many institutions use a common financial aid application called the CSS Profile, which helps assess your financial need. Additionally, international students may be required to complete the ISFAA (International Student Financial Aid Application) to qualify for institutional financial aid from specific colleges and universities.
Scholarships and Waivers:
Minimal scholarship aid is generally available to international students, and most of it is reserved for graduate study. However, it's worth exploring scholarship opportunities, as some scholarships may be open to international applicants. Additionally, both private and public institutions may waive application fees in certain situations, reducing the overall cost of applying.
Tax Exemptions and Employment:
Understanding tax implications is essential for international students. In some cases, you may be exempt from paying taxes on certain forms of financial aid, depending on your visa type, duration of stay in the country, and the type of financial aid award. Additionally, discuss any questions about eligibility for employment with your International Student Adviser before accepting any work. While working can provide spending money, it typically cannot be your sole source of funding.
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Filling out the CSS Profile
Filling out the CSS (College Scholarship Service) Profile can be a time-consuming process, but it is an essential step in the financial aid application process for many colleges. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Step 1: Check if the CSS Profile is required
First, you need to determine if the colleges you are applying to require the CSS Profile. The CSS Profile is required by over 200 colleges and universities that follow institutional methodology. You can find an up-to-date list of participating institutions at collegeboard.org. Some colleges only require international students to fill out this financial aid application.
Step 2: Gather the necessary documents
Before starting the application process, ensure you have all the required documents. The CSS Profile will ask for detailed information about your family's finances, including income, bank accounts and any interest earned, assets, annuities, home equity, retirement funds, and sibling assets.
Step 3: Understand the layout and requirements
The CSS Profile consists of 17 sections and hundreds of questions. Most pages will have 2-5 questions, and you must answer the required questions before moving on to the next page. The yellow boxes provide helpful hints and guidance. Remember, you only need to answer the required questions and what is relevant to your situation. Be honest, but there is no need to overshare information.
Step 4: Complete the application and submit
The CSS Profile typically takes a few hours to complete due to its level of detail. It costs $25 to submit to one college and $16 for each additional college. However, students with a family income of less than $100,000 may be eligible for a fee waiver. After submitting, you may need to send supporting documents to the school.
Step 5: Meet the deadlines
Each college sets its own CSS Profile deadline, so be sure to check with each college you are applying to. It is recommended to treat the college application deadline as the deadline for the financial aid application to avoid missing out on aid for your first year.
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Submitting the ISFAA
International students may be required to complete the ISFAA (International Student Financial Aid Application) to qualify for institutional financial aid from colleges and universities. The ISFAA is a paper application that helps colleges and universities understand your family's financial situation and equitably distribute financial aid accordingly. The form is tailored to international students and is free to submit. You can download the ISFAA directly from your chosen institution's website.
The ISFAA is used to apply for institutional grants, which are provided by colleges and universities to international students. While not all international students will receive financial assistance from the ISFAA, it is still worth completing the application each year. Deadlines for submitting the ISFAA vary by school, so it is important to review the deadlines for your chosen institution and submit your form well in advance to ensure it is delivered on time.
To complete the ISFAA, you will need to provide information about your family's income, assets, and expenses. This information will be used to calculate your financial need and determine the amount of financial aid you are eligible for. You may also be required to submit supporting documents, such as federal and bank documents, to verify the information provided in your application.
When submitting the ISFAA, it is important to follow the instructions provided by your chosen institution. Some schools may require you to mail in your completed form, while others may allow you to submit it online. It is also a good idea to follow up with the school's financial aid office to confirm that they have received your ISFAA form.
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Deadlines
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
The FAFSA is a federal financial aid application targeted at US residents and citizens. The federal deadline for submitting the FAFSA is typically June 30 for each academic year. However, it is important to note that college and state deadlines may be much sooner. For example, the federal deadline for the 2024-25 academic year is June 30, 2025.
CSS Profile
The CSS Profile is a common financial aid application used by many institutions to assess a student's financial need. It costs between USD 16 and 25 per school to fill out and submit. While the CSS Profile does not have a specific deadline, it is highly recommended to treat the college application deadline as the deadline for the financial aid application.
ISFAA (International Student Financial Aid Application)
The ISFAA is a paper application specifically tailored to international students, helping colleges understand their financial need. Deadlines for submitting the ISFAA vary by school, so it is essential to review the deadlines for your desired institution and submit your form well in advance to ensure it is delivered on time.
Individual Institution Deadlines
In addition to the deadlines for specific applications, each institution may have its own deadlines for financial aid applications. These deadlines can vary significantly, and some schools may have priority filing dates for applications like the CSS Profile. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully review the financial aid sections of the websites of your desired colleges or universities to identify their specific deadlines and requirements.
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Supporting documents
- Federal and bank documents: These include tax returns, bank statements, investment records, and other financial records. This information helps colleges understand your financial resources and calculate your expected family contribution.
- Identification documents: Depending on the school's requirements, you may need to provide a copy of your passport, birth certificate, or other government-issued identification.
- Academic records: Some financial aid programs may require proof of academic performance, such as transcripts, test scores, or letters of acceptance from the college.
- Visa documentation: If you are an international student, you may need to provide documentation related to your visa status, such as a copy of your student visa or proof of your non-immigrant visa category.
- Letters of recommendation: While not strictly a "supporting document," some financial aid opportunities may require letters of recommendation from teachers, counsellors, or other references attesting to your character, achievements, or financial need.
- Additional supporting documents: Depending on the specific financial aid opportunity, you may need to provide additional documentation. For example, if you are applying for aid due to special circumstances, such as medical expenses or family emergencies, you may need to provide relevant documentation to support your claim.
It is important to carefully review the requirements of each school and financial aid program you are applying to, as they may have specific requests for supporting documents. Additionally, it is always a good idea to reach out to the school's financial aid office for guidance and clarification on the required supporting documents.
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Frequently asked questions
ISFAA stands for International Student Financial Aid Application. It is a paper application that helps colleges and universities understand your family's financial situation and equitably distribute financial aid accordingly.
If your school accepts the ISFAA, you will submit a specific form to that institution. You can download the form directly from your institution's website. There is no fee to submit the ISFAA.
Many colleges provide institutional financial aid to international students. The CSS Profile application collects information about your family's income, assets, and expenses to determine how much money is available to pay for college. The CSS Profile costs $16-25 USD per school.
International students typically cannot apply for federal or state aid and use personal and financial resources to cover tuition and expenses. However, international students may qualify for certain types of merit or need-based aid.
