Ibrahim Gardner
International students often face additional costs when studying abroad, such as visa application fees and international airfare, on top of tuition, housing, books and other supplies. While studying in a foreign country can be expensive, especially with fluctuating exchange rates, international students may qualify for financial aid in the form of merit- or need-based scholarships, grants, fellowships, or loans. To apply for financial aid, international students may be required to fill out the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) or the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile, which is used by private colleges. Some universities may also have their own forms, and in rare cases, a school may require international students to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To gather information from international students applying for financial aid at US colleges and universities |
| Who should fill it out? | International applicants for whom the CSS Profile application fee will present a serious financial hardship |
| Where to submit | Directly to the Financial Aid Office of the college or university |
| Eligibility | Filling out the ISFAA does not change an applicant's eligibility for financial aid |
| Alternatives | The CSS Profile, FAFSA, scholarships, student loans, grants, fellowships, work-study programs |
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What You'll Learn
International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA)
International students often face additional costs on top of tuition and fees, housing, books, and other supplies when studying in the US. These can include visa application fees and international airfare. While funding their education can be expensive, there are ways for international students to reduce their total cost of attendance. Although funding opportunities are often more limited for international students, they may still qualify for certain types of merit or need-based aid.
The International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) is a document used by international students to apply for financial aid at colleges and universities in the United States. The ISFAA is designed to gather financial information from international students to assess their need for financial assistance. This form is typically completed by international financial aid applicants only and must be submitted directly to the Financial Aid Office of the institution.
The ISFAA is an alternative to the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile, which is another common financial aid application. The CSS Profile costs between $16-25 USD per school and acts as a "financial aid calculator form". It is filled out with information from federal and bank documents to determine how much money is available for the student to pay for college. The ISFAA is considered equivalent to the CSS Profile in terms of eligibility for financial aid.
It is important to note that international students generally do not qualify for federal or state aid in the US and typically rely on personal and other financial resources from outside the US. However, some public and private universities offer financial incentives for international students, usually in the form of assistantships and fellowships for graduate studies. Additionally, both private and public institutions may waive application fees in certain situations. International students can explore various resources, such as scholarships, grants, fellowships, and international student loans, to help fund their education.
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Scholarships and grants
International students face additional costs, such as visa application fees and international airfare, on top of tuition, housing, books, and other supplies. Although studying in certain countries can be expensive, especially with fluctuating exchange rates, international students can still qualify for certain types of merit- or need-based aid.
International students are not eligible for federal or state aid and typically use personal and other financial resources to cover tuition and expenses. However, there are other financial aid options available in the form of scholarships and grants.
- Foreign Fulbright Student Program: This program offers scholarships for graduate students from around the world, as well as young professionals and artists, to study in the USA.
- Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program: This program provides comprehensive financial coverage, including tuition, a monthly stipend, airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance, to students from developing countries who have supported their home country's development and are applying for a development-related Master's program.
- MPOWER Financing: MPOWER offers scholarships for international and DACA students through its Global Citizen Scholarship Program, which has broad eligibility criteria and is offered throughout the year. They also have niche scholarships. Additionally, they have a Central America Scholarship Program that offers up to $3,000 towards international education for students from Central America.
- The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship: This scholarship provides financial support to students from select developing countries who have no other source of financial aid for their graduate studies. The scholarships are 50% grant and 50% loan.
- The American Association of University Women: This organization offers fellowships for non-American women seeking a Master's or doctoral degree in the USA. Priority is given to women committed to the advancement of women and girls, and the scholarship can be reapplied for each year of the program.
- The Civil Society Leadership Awards: This award offers full scholarships for Master's students from specific countries who are dedicated to fostering social change.
- Conacyt and ColFuturo: These organizations provide scholarships for Mexican and Colombian students, respectively, pursuing postgraduate studies abroad.
Some public and private universities also offer financial incentives for international students to attend their institutions, mainly in the form of assistantships and fellowships for graduate students. Merit-based scholarships are also available and are granted based on special skills, talents, or abilities, such as TOEFL scores, academic records, artistic ability, musical ability, or athletic ability.
To apply for scholarships and grants, you can create an account on platforms like InternationalStudent.com, EduPASS, or IEFA, which provide searchable databases of financial aid opportunities. These websites allow you to search for awards by location, subject of study, student origin, or award name. Once you find an award you're interested in, you can contact the host institution directly to apply.
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Student loans
International students often face additional costs compared to their domestic peers, such as visa application fees and international airfare. While funding opportunities for international students are limited, they may qualify for certain types of merit- or need-based aid.
International students are generally ineligible for federal student aid and must explore alternative funding options. One option is to take out a student loan. Most loans for non-US citizens will require a US cosigner, which can improve the chances of approval and lower the interest rate. The cosigner must be a US citizen or permanent resident with good credit who has lived in the US for the past two years. However, some lenders, such as MPOWER Financing, offer no-cosigner loans for international students.
International students can use online tools to find and compare international student loans. These loans can cover various expenses, including tuition, room and board, books, travel, health insurance, and living expenses. When applying for a student loan, it is important to consider the interest rate, repayment period, and any associated fees or requirements, such as collateral or visa guidance support.
In addition to student loans, international students may also consider scholarships and grants, although these are highly competitive and may not cover all expenses. Alternatively, some universities offer financial incentives for students to attend their institution, such as assistantships, fellowships, or waivers of application fees. Merit-based scholarships are granted based on special skills, talents, or abilities, including academic record, artistic ability, musical ability, or athletic ability.
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University-specific financial aid
International students often face additional costs on top of tuition and fees, such as visa application fees and international airfare. While funding can be limited, international students may qualify for certain types of merit or need-based aid.
International students are not eligible for federal or state aid in the US, and typically rely on personal and external financial resources. However, there are university-specific financial aid options available for international students, including grants and scholarships. These vary across institutions, so it is important to consult with the university and explore their financial aid office, website, or admissions office to learn about their specific offerings.
Some public and private universities offer financial incentives for students to attend their institution. While institutional aid for international students is more common for graduate study in the form of assistantships and fellowships, there are still opportunities for undergraduates. Private institutions, in particular, may offer significant financial aid and can sometimes provide discounts or reductions in tuition fees.
Both private and public universities may waive application fees in certain situations. Additionally, some universities offer merit-based scholarships based on TOEFL scores, academic records, artistic ability, musical ability, or athletic ability. These scholarships are often very competitive, and students may need to demonstrate exceptional talent or skills to be considered.
Need-based scholarships are also available at some universities for international students with exceptional financial need. Academic departments within the university may have funds allocated for such cases. It is important to consult with the relevant department to take advantage of any special funding opportunities they may offer.
Free scholarship databases are available for undergraduate international students, as well as private, corporate, nonprofit, and government scholarship funds. However, students should be cautious of dishonest scholarship offers and never send money or personal financial information to organizations promising scholarships in return. The U.S. Department of Education offers resources to protect students from such organizations.
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Work-study programs
International students face additional costs compared to their domestic peers, such as visa application fees and international airfare. While funding opportunities for international students are often more limited, they may qualify for certain types of merit or need-based aid.
One way for international students to receive financial aid is through work-study programs. The Federal Work-Study program is a need-based financial aid program that provides students with part-time jobs while they are enrolled in an institution of higher education. The program is available to undergraduate and graduate students, and the money earned is paid directly to the student. In addition to the financial benefits, working on campus allows students to meet other students, network with teachers and administrators, and gain career experience. For example, a student planning to study biology may be able to find work as a lab assistant. Money earned through the Federal Work-Study program is not counted as income when completing the next year's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
However, eligibility for the Federal Work-Study program is limited, and not all students who are interested will qualify. In such cases, students may be able to find other employment opportunities on campus that are not officially part of the work-study program. While these non-work-study jobs do not offer the same financial aid benefits, they can still provide students with valuable work experience and income.
It is important to note that international students attending colleges in the United States typically do not qualify for federal or state aid and must rely on other sources of funding. As such, it is recommended that international students consult with their university to take advantage of any supplements or waivers that may be offered, as well as explore merit-based scholarships that are based on special skills, talents, or abilities.
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Frequently asked questions
The ISFAA is a financial aid application for international students applying to colleges and universities in the United States. It is designed to gather information from international students applying for financial aid.
The CSS Profile is a common financial aid application used by many institutions to assess a student's financial situation. The ISFAA is specifically for international students and must be submitted directly to the Financial Aid Office. The CSS Profile costs between $16-25 USD per school, whereas the ISFAA is free for students for whom the CSS Profile application fee would cause serious financial hardship.
International students cannot usually access federal student aid, but they may qualify for merit or need-based aid, scholarships, grants, fellowships, loans, or work-study programs.
