Douglas Olsen
International students are typically ineligible for federal financial aid in the US and must pay out of pocket, but some colleges offer financial aid packages to attract more international students. These include Yale, Stanford, Pomona, and Vanderbilt. The average amount of aid given to international students across 868 undergraduate schools was $23,800 for the 2023-2024 academic year, but the 20 most generous colleges gave an average of $81,939. Vassar College gave the most aid per international student, with an average of $86,258. Some colleges offer full scholarships to international students, such as the Louis: Danforth Scholars Program, the AU Emerging Global Leaders Scholarship, and the John M. Belk Scholarship. However, financial aid for international transfer students is hard to come by, as transfer admissions rates for international students are already very low.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of colleges offering financial aid to international students | 268 |
| Average amount of financial aid given to international students in 2023-2024 | $23,800 |
| Average amount of financial aid given by top 20 colleges in 2023-2024 | $81,939 |
| College with the highest average amount of financial aid given | Vassar College |
| States with colleges that gave the most financial aid | Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C., California, and Tennessee |
| Colleges that do not offer financial aid to international transfer students | CalTech, UChicago, Harvey Mudd, Vanderbilt, Carleton, Harvard, and Yale |
| Scholarships for African students | Wesleyan University, Washington University, and American University in Washington DC |
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What You'll Learn
US colleges with the most financial aid for international students
International students are often faced with hefty price tags when it comes to studying in the US, with costs for tuition, housing, living, and travel expenses. However, many US colleges offer financial aid to international students, with some providing more than others.
Wellesley College
Wellesley College, a private women's liberal arts college in Massachusetts, offered the greatest international financial aid package for the 2022-23 academic year, with an average of $78,432 in financial aid given to 82 international students.
Vassar College
Vassar College awarded the largest average amount of financial aid per international student for the 2023-2024 academic year, with $86,258 given to 52 international students.
Stanford University, Pomona College, and Vanderbilt University
These three colleges are the only ones on the list of 20 schools that gave the most financial aid to international students that are not located on the East Coast. Stanford and Pomona are based in California, while Vanderbilt is in Tennessee.
The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina
The Citadel is a public school that awarded the most aid to international students out of all public schools. It gave around $40,500 on average to nine international students during the 2023-2024 academic year.
Other notable mentions
- Harvard, Yale, and Princeton have a policy of 100% demonstrated needs met for admitted students, including international students.
- Yale Young African Scholars provides full scholarships for four years of study toward a bachelor's degree for citizens and permanent residents of Africa’s 54 countries who are applying to Wesleyan as financial aid candidates.
- Mt. Holyoke College, Washington University in St. Louis, and Centre College offer renewable scholarships that cover a minimum of 50% of tuition to selected international undergraduates.
- Davidson College offers the John M. Belk scholarship to outstanding students with extraordinary potential.
- St. Lawrence University has a long relationship with Kenya and offers two full scholarships to qualifying Kenyan students annually.
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Scholarships for international students
International students are generally ineligible for U.S. federal financial aid and tend to pay out of pocket. However, many colleges are offering substantial financial aid packages to attract more international students. For example, Vassar College in New York awarded $86,258 as the largest average amount of financial aid per international student. Stanford University and Pomona College in California, and Vanderbilt University in Tennessee are also among the top 20 schools that gave the most financial assistance to international students.
There are also scholarships available for international students, although they can be challenging to find. The best way to win a scholarship is to apply for those that closely match your profile. EduPASS has compiled a list of scholarships for international students, including the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship, which provides scholarships to graduate students from select developing countries with no other source of financial help. The American Association of University Women offers fellowships for non-American women pursuing a Master's or doctorate in the USA, with priority given to those committed to the advancement of women and girls. The Civil Society Leadership Awards offers full scholarships for Master's students from specific countries dedicated to fostering social change.
The P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship awards scholarships to women from other countries earning graduate degrees in the USA. MPOWER Financing offers scholarships for international and DACA students through its Global Citizen Scholarship Program, which is open all year. The College Board supports 7 million students annually and provides a scholarship search feature with information on over 2,200 programs. International Student has a free, comprehensive list of scholarships, grants, and awards for international students worldwide, including the Fulbright Scholarship, Rotary Scholarships, and Merit Scholarships.
Additionally, international students can consider scholarships unrelated to specific institutions, such as the Rotary Peace Fellowship for doctoral students. Most scholarships require an essay, personal statement, project, or interview process, and many allow applicants to apply to as many scholarships as they want. Some scholarships are also renewable yearly, providing support throughout college.
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Financial aid for African students
International students, including those from Africa, are typically ineligible for federal financial aid in the US and must pay out of pocket. However, many US colleges offer financial aid packages to international students to encourage diversity and welcome new perspectives.
US colleges offering financial aid to African students
- Yale Young African Scholars offers full scholarships to African students demonstrating academic excellence and financial need.
- St. Lawrence University has a long-standing relationship with Kenya and offers two full scholarships to qualifying Kenyan students annually.
- Davidson College offers the Belk Scholarship to outstanding students with academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and purposeful engagement in the classroom.
- Indiana University - Bloomington offers the Wells Scholars Program, a full-time merit-based scholarship to students with an outstanding record of accomplishment.
- Wesleyan offers full scholarships for four years of study toward a bachelor's degree to citizens and permanent residents of Africa's 54 countries.
- Washington University in St. Louis offers two annual, renewable scholarships that cover a minimum of 50% of tuition to international undergraduates dedicated to bridging intercultural divides.
- Centre College offers the Lincoln Scholars Program, which provides ten students with a full scholarship, renewable for four years, along with individual mentoring and career-building opportunities.
- University of Oxford (UK): Reach Oxford Scholarship offers several scholarships to students from low-income countries who cannot study for a degree in their countries due to political, financial, or educational reasons.
- University College London (UK): Denys Holland Scholarship supports undergraduate students who cannot secure funding without the scholarship and can demonstrate their intention to engage in university activities.
- Cardiff University (UK): Vice Chancellor’s International Scholarship offers awards of £2,000 and above to international students across a wide range of subject areas.
- University College of Northern Denmark (Denmark): Danish Government Scholarships.
- The Genevieve McMillan-Reba Stewart Foundation Scholarship is awarded to Sub-Saharan African students demonstrating academic excellence and accepted to Sciences Po’s undergraduate Europe-Africa program.
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides financial, social, and academic support to female students of African origin studying STEM-related courses in Africa.
- Wells Mountain Initiative Scholarships offers need-based international scholarships to students from developing countries pursuing undergraduate degrees.
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Colleges without financial aid for international transfer students
International students are generally ineligible for federal financial aid in the United States and often have to pay out of pocket. However, many colleges offer financial aid packages to international students to encourage them to apply.
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the financial aid form for accessing grants, federal student loans, and work-study funds. Each college has its own requirements for how international students can prove their ability to pay expenses.
The 20 colleges that gave the most financial aid to international students during the 2023-2024 academic year are mostly located along the East Coast. Vassar College, a private liberal arts school in New York, awarded the largest average amount of financial aid per international student, at $86,258. Stanford University and Pomona College in California, and Vanderbilt University in Tennessee are the other colleges that gave the most financial aid to international students. The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, also awarded a substantial amount of aid to international students, at an average of about $40,500. Arizona State University also offered aid to 2,985 international students, the most of any public or private institution that provided data.
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The financial aid application process
International students are generally ineligible for federal financial aid in the US and often have to pay out of pocket. However, many colleges offer financial aid to international students to increase diversity and welcome new perspectives.
Estimate the total cost:
First, estimate the total cost of attendance, including tuition, room, and board. This will give you an idea of the financial aid you may need.
Research colleges and their financial aid policies:
Not all colleges offer financial aid to international students, so it is important to research which colleges do and their specific policies. For example, Rice University offers need-based financial aid to a limited number of international undergraduate applicants entering in the fall semester, while Brown University has a need-blind policy and considers petitions for financial aid in isolated and extreme situations.
Complete the required forms:
Most colleges require international students seeking financial aid to complete the CSS Profile when they apply for admission. Some colleges may also require additional forms, such as the International Student Financial Statement or tax documents. It is important to carefully review the requirements of each college and submit all the necessary forms.
Indicate your intention to apply for financial aid:
When completing your admission application, be sure to indicate your intention to apply for financial aid. At some colleges, such as Rice University, international students admitted without a request for financial aid cannot apply for aid in subsequent years.
Submit required documentation:
In addition to the forms mentioned above, you may be required to submit various documentation to support your financial aid application. This may include tax documents, income verification, or other financial statements. Promptly respond to all requests for documentation to ensure your application is complete and can be reviewed in a timely manner.
Meet deadlines:
Be sure to complete your financial aid application by the specified deadline. Deadlines can vary by college, so carefully review the requirements of each institution to which you are applying.
Understand the evaluation process:
Colleges may have different approaches to evaluating financial aid applications. Some colleges have a "'need-aware'" policy, where financial need is considered alongside other factors in the admissions process. Other colleges may have a need-blind policy, where financial need is not considered in the admissions decision, but is still a factor in determining financial aid awards.
Expect an estimate of financial aid:
After your admission decision, you will typically receive an estimate of the financial aid you may be eligible for, along with the expected family contribution and cost of attendance. This information will help you make an informed decision about your college choice.
Appeal if necessary:
If your family's financial circumstances have changed significantly, or you feel there are extenuating circumstances, don't hesitate to reach out to the college's financial aid office and inquire about the appeal process.
Remember that the financial aid process can be complex, so starting your research and application early is always a good idea. Each college has its own unique requirements and policies, so be sure to carefully review the information provided by each institution you are considering.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, some colleges in the US give financial aid to international transfer students. However, it's important to note that not many colleges offer this and scholarships for transfer students are hard to come by.
Vassar College in New York awarded the largest average amount of financial aid per international student, with an average of $86,258 given to 52 international students for the 2023-2024 academic year. Stanford University and Pomona College in California, and Vanderbilt University in Tennessee also made the list of the top 20 schools that gave the most financial aid.
The FAFSA is the financial aid form for accessing grants, federal student loans and work-study funds. Each college will have its own requirements for how international students can prove their ability to pay expenses.
Yes, there are some scholarships that international transfer students can apply for. For example, the Louis: Danforth Scholars Program at Washington University offers full or partial tuition scholarships to students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a dedication to community. The AU Emerging Global Leaders Scholarship at the American University in Washington DC is another scholarship for international students who show academic excellence, leadership, and global engagement.
In some cases, DACA recipients and other undocumented students can receive state aid and scholarships to pay for college. Additionally, some colleges offer renewable scholarships that cover a minimum of 50% of tuition to international undergraduates who are dedicated to advancing intercultural learning and understanding.
