Talk to me about need-based aid for international students

[plansrme]

Yes, I am getting a little ahead of myself with my exchange student, to whom I have already grown ridiculously attached. I know international students are not eligible for federal student aid, but are there colleges that provide need-based aid to international students? Is there a list somewhere? I don't know a whole lot about his parents' financial status. They are not without means, as they are both working professionals in his home country and are paying his tuition at our private school. I gather it is a stretch, however, and want to be prepared as I suggest colleges. This is assuming we get his grades up so that he can pass high school, of course! Tippy-top schools are unlikely to be good matches, and he is extremely unlikely to qualify for merit aid. Athletic, definitely, but it will not be a full ride. Anyway, all that is to say that he is probably going to need some need-based aid to make any school affordable. If someone can point me to a list or search engine that will let me sort for this, I would be deeply appreciative.

[Lanny]

As you already know, that will be extremely difficult for him to get. A very slight possibility. If he is not a top Athlete or Ivy bound, he needs to have something special that the school will find to be a "plus" for them, if they admit him.  As you will read in this article, there are very few schools that provide that, especially a "Full Ride",  but he doesn't sound like a top student who might qualify at one of those top schools. The article mentions Arizona State, which is a Public school, but their average financial aid is very low. However, ASU offers something, which is more than most public universities can do. This is the link:

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/the-short-list-college/articles/universities-that-offer-international-students-the-most-financial-aid

Most if not all of the schools on that list will require the student and parents fill out the CSS Profile.

Note: The roommate of my DD is an International student.  With the COVID-19 issues and going to Online classes for Undergraduate courses, she went home during August.  I suspect that her Passport country provided some of the money, but I know that it was difficult for them to pay her Room and Board, etc.

Note #2: When we went to a school fair in Bogota, the first week of May 2018, there were reps from 4 schools there. Duke, UPenn, one in Washington DC (a Catholic school, I think Georgetown?) and Harvard College. One or more of them, if my memory is correct, indicated that students should apply, because they look at applications without regard to Financial Need. However, again, those are top schools and it doesn't sound like he is a top student.

There is a possibility he might be eligible for Financial Aid from his Passport country. 

He should be studying for the ACT and SAT if he hasn't already taken those.

Good luck to your house guest with his studies! 

 

[Frances]

I think some of the very selective LACs give financial aid to international students, but they are also very competitive for admission. Maybe look at Macalaster and Grinnell. We didn’t qualify for financial aid, but my son still got significant money from these schools, including work study.

[8filltheheart]

Or look into some of the more affordable US colleges.  

https://www.truman.edu/admission-cost/cost-aid/tuition-costs/

https://www.usd.edu/admissions/tuition-and-fees

[Lanny]

@plansrme    I don't think you should get his hopes up about this idea. Or, yours...

This is a very tough thing to get. Not impossible, but also not easy. Also, because you indicate that he has little if any possibility of getting an Athletic scholarship and is not "Ivy"  bound.  If he had something that would make it a "plus" for the school to have him on their campus, that would help him.

When I was researching this for the older DD of a family we are friends with, earlier this year, I also suggested the possibility of a school that has Undergraduate Online Degree programs and that had them before COVID-19. That would give someone the opportunity to get a degree from a U.S. school, but not be at the school attending in-person classes and getting the undergraduate "experience". (Which at this time has been seriously disrupted by COVID-19).  There is a thread here, begun by Janeway recently, regarding Online Undergraduate degrees, that you may find worth reading.

Much good luck to your Exchange student!

[JanetC]

Here ya go! https://www.bigjeducationalconsulting.com/s/Financial-Aid-for-Nonresident-Alien-Undergraduates-August-2020-Sheet1.pdf

[plansrme]

3 hours ago, JanetC said:

Here ya go! https://www.bigjeducationalconsulting.com/s/Financial-Aid-for-Nonresident-Alien-Undergraduates-August-2020-Sheet1.pdf

THANK YOU! What an amazing resource. 

 

[plansrme]

11 hours ago, Lanny said:

Also, because you indicate that he has little if any possibility of getting an Athletic scholarship a

Oh, no, to be clear, there IS a possibility of athletic money, but it is extremely unlikely to be a full ride.

[Lanny]

6 hours ago, plansrme said:

Oh, no, to be clear, there IS a possibility of athletic money, but it is extremely unlikely to be a full ride.

+1 and agreed.  My understanding is that typically the coaches have a pot of money and distribute it among the players. So probably no Full Rides, but a little bit for each of the players.

Many years ago, when my DD was in K4 or K5 or First Grade, I heard of a boy here who was offered a lot of $. His sport was Golf.

[Lanny]

@OP   If you find anything for International Students please post back here. We get asked about that from time to time since we live overseas. Thank you