Savanna Hoffman
International students are generally ineligible for federal financial aid in the US, and studying in the US can be expensive. However, some colleges offer financial aid to international students, either in the form of need-based scholarships or merit-based scholarships. Need-based scholarships are granted to students based on their financial circumstances, while merit-based scholarships are based on qualifications. There are 268 schools that offer financial aid to international students, and some of the colleges that gave the most financial aid to international students include Stanford University, Pomona College, and Vanderbilt University.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of colleges offering financial aid to international students | 268 |
| Average financial aid amount | $82,000 |
| States with colleges offering financial aid | California, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C. |
| Types of financial aid | Scholarships, grants, loans, work-study programs, fellowships, assistantships |
| Example colleges offering financial aid | Vassar College, Stanford University, Pomona College, Vanderbilt University, Davidson College, Washington University, American University |
| Factors considered for financial aid | Financial circumstances, merit, qualifications, extracurriculars, leadership potential, intellectual curiosity, community involvement, athletic performance, artistic pursuits |
| Application process | FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), essays, recommendations, activities, nominations |
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What You'll Learn
Scholarships for international students
International students are generally ineligible for federal financial aid in the US, and so they often have to pay out of pocket. However, some colleges offer their own financial aid packages, scholarships, and work-study programs to international students. These can be need-based or merit-based.
Need-based scholarships
Need-based scholarships are granted to students based on their financial circumstances. Need-blind colleges, for example, do not consider an international student's ability to pay when making admissions decisions. Some need-blind colleges include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Amherst, Dartmouth, Bowdoin, and Brown.
Merit-based scholarships
Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on qualifications. For example, Carleton College offers full-tuition scholarships to six international students every year. Davidson College offers the John M. Belk Scholarship to outstanding students with extraordinary potential. The scholarship provides full funding plus special study stipends.
Other scholarships
Some colleges offer scholarships to students from specific regions. For example, Yale offers the Yale Young African Scholars program, which provides full scholarships to exceptional African students for four years of undergraduate study.
Work-study programs
International students are not eligible for federal work-study programs in the US, but some colleges offer their own work-study programs for which international students may qualify.
Other tips
It is important to be aware of dishonest scholarship offers and to consult with the admissions office or international student office at the university to which you are applying. Additionally, both private and public institutions may waive application fees in some situations, so be sure to consult with your university about this.
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Financial aid for international undergraduates
International students are typically ineligible for federal financial aid in the US and often must pay out of pocket. However, many colleges offer financial aid packages to international students to encourage enrolment. These financial aid packages can include scholarships, grants, and loans.
Scholarships
Many colleges offer scholarships specifically for international students. Some scholarships are need-based, meaning they are granted based on financial circumstances, while others are merit-based, meaning they are based on qualifications. Some colleges that offer scholarships for international students include:
- Carleton College: Full-Tuition Scholarships
- Centre College: Lincoln Scholars Program
- Washington University: Danforth Scholars Program
- American University in Washington DC: Emerging Global Leaders Scholarship
- Davidson College: Belk Scholarship
- Indiana University - Bloomington: Wells Scholars Program
- Wesleyan University: Wesleyan African Scholars Program
- Tulane University
Grants and Loans
International students can apply for grants and loans through their university’s financial aid programmes. The FAFSA form is used to determine eligibility for federal and state government aid, including the Stafford Loan, Perkins Loan, PLUS Loan, Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, or Federal Work-Study. However, international students are not eligible to complete the FAFSA form. Instead, they can fill out an ISAFA form, which many universities use to determine financial aid eligibility.
Work-Study Programs
International students are not eligible for federal work-study. However, some colleges offer their own work-study programs for which international students may qualify. It is important to keep in mind the requirements of student visas, as there may be work restrictions.
Other Resources
There are many online resources for international students to search for financial aid opportunities, including:
- College Board
- Scholarship Finder
- EducationUSA
- EduPASS
- FastWeb
- International Education Financial Aid
- International Scholarships
- Mobility International USA
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Work-study programs for international students
International students are typically ineligible for federal financial aid in the US and have to pay out of pocket. However, many colleges offer financial aid packages and scholarships to international students. For instance, Vassar College in New York awarded, on average, $86,258 in financial aid per international student for the 2023-2024 academic year. Stanford University and Pomona College in California, and Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, are also among the 20 schools that gave the most financial assistance to international students.
International students are not eligible for federal work-study in the US. However, some colleges offer their own work-study programs for which international students may qualify. These programs allow students to work part-time on campus and earn money while gaining valuable experience. The money earned through such programs is paid directly to the student and can be used to cover their financial needs. 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 instance, a student interested in studying biology may be able to find a job as a lab assistant. Similarly, a student interested in art may find job opportunities in an on-campus gallery or studio. There are also work-study jobs available in not-for-profit community outreach organizations. It is important to note that eligibility for these programs is usually based on financial need, and students must work enough hours to earn the full amount of the awarded funds.
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Grants and loans for international students
International students are not eligible for federal financial aid in the US, so they usually have to pay out of pocket. However, many colleges offer financial aid packages to international students to encourage them to apply.
Scholarships
Scholarships are a common form of financial aid for international students. Some scholarships are need-based, while others are merit-based. For example, Carleton College offers full-tuition scholarships to six international students every year. Davidson College invites high schools abroad to nominate outstanding students to compete for the John M. Belk scholarship, which provides full funding plus special study stipends. The Danforth Scholars Program at Washington University offers full or partial tuition scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to community.
Grants
Grants are another option for international students seeking financial aid. The American Association of University Women (AAUW) sponsors international fellowships for women interested in studying in the US, with award amounts depending on the type of degree. The Aga Khan Foundation provides grants and loans to students from developing countries with financial need. The Margaret McNamara Education Grant offers awards of approximately $12,000 to women from developing countries studying in the US or Canada.
Loans
While international students are not eligible for federal student loans in the US, they may be able to obtain private student loans. Some private loan companies require a co-signer who is a US citizen or permanent resident, but there are also options that do not have this requirement, such as Juno.
Work-Study Programs
Although international students are not eligible for federal work-study programs in the US, some colleges offer their own work-study opportunities that may be available to international students.
Tuition Waivers
Some universities offer tuition waiver programs, which allow international students to pay the in-state tuition rate instead of the higher out-of-state rate, resulting in significant cost savings.
Databases and Resources
There are several databases and resources available to help international students find financial aid opportunities:
- IEFA (International Education Financial Aid) is a comprehensive database of scholarships, grants, and loans for international students.
- Scholarship Finder is a searchable database of scholarships, fellowships, grants, and other financial aid opportunities sponsored by the US Department of Labor.
- EducationUSA is a directory of special opportunities and financial aid for international students and scholars.
- FastWeb is a free online scholarship search service.
- International Education Financial Aid is a free online scholarship search service designed specifically for international students.
- International Scholarships is an online scholarship database for international students wishing to study worldwide.
- Mobility International USA is a scholarship resource for non-US citizens with disabilities.
Colleges that Offer Financial Aid to International Students
While the focus of this discussion has been on the types of financial aid available to international students, it is worth noting that there are also specific colleges and universities in the US that are known for providing substantial financial aid packages to international students. For example, Vassar College awarded an average of $86,258 in financial aid per international student during the 2023-2024 academic year. Stanford University, Pomona College, and Vanderbilt University are also notable institutions that offer significant financial assistance to international students.
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Colleges that offer the most financial aid
International students are typically ineligible for federal financial aid in the US and often have to pay out of pocket. However, many colleges offer substantial financial aid packages to international students.
Vassar College
Vassar College in New York awarded the largest average amount of financial aid per international student, $86,258. During the 2023-2024 academic year, 52 international students received aid from Vassar.
Stanford University, Pomona College, and Vanderbilt University
These three colleges are the only ones on the list of the 20 schools that gave the most financial aid to international students that are not located along the East Coast. Stanford and Pomona are based in California, while Vanderbilt is in Tennessee.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts is home to five of the top 20 schools that offer the most financial aid to international students.
Other notable mentions
Some other colleges that offer generous financial aid packages to students include Berea College, which has a "no tuition" policy, Albion College, which offers five merit-based scholarships ranging from $26,000 to $40,000 per year, and Yale, which offers scholarships to African students. Additionally, there are 268 schools that offer financial aid to international students, and many of the top 50 colleges have financial aid packages worth at least $45,000.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 268 colleges in the US that offer financial aid to international students. Some of the colleges that offer the most financial aid to international students include Vassar College, Stanford University, Pomona College, and Vanderbilt University.
Financial aid can come in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, or work-study programs. Some colleges offer their own work-study programs for international students.
To apply for financial aid, international students can use resources such as the College Board, which is a free online financial aid source for scholarships, grants, and loans. Additionally, international students can consult with the admissions office or international student office at the university to learn more about the financial aid process and explore scholarship opportunities.
