We understand the allure of the American college experience, from Greek life to intercollegiate sports. But it's not the cheapest! The U.S. has one of the most expensive higher-education costs worldwide.
If you do choose to study in the U.S. as an international student, scope out your financial aid options. Although most international students aren't eligible for FAFSA, a popular federal student aid program, there are other options. Read on for a quick guide to financial assistance options.
Eligibility requirements
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a financial student aid program offered by the federal government. If you're a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or green card holder, you must meet the following criteria to qualify for FAFSA:
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED)
- Be accepted into or enrolled in an eligible degree program
- Have a valid Social Security Number
- Certify that you aren't in default on a federal student loan and don't owe a federal grant refund
- Certify that you will use the aid provided only for educational purposes
- Once you get federal student aid, you must remain in good academic standing
If you tick those boxes, you fulfill the FAFSA eligibility criteria! We walk you through the paperwork you'll need to apply below.
What if you aren't an American citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident green card holder? There are some rare cases in which eligible noncitizens can qualify for FAFSA. Foreign students may qualify if they fall into one of the below categories:
- You have battered immigrant status
- You have a T-visa or a parent with a T-1 visa
- You have an arrival-departure record (Form I-94) that indicates you've been granted asylum or refugee status by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- You have a Form I-94 that indicates you are a Cuban-Haitian Entrant
- You have a Form I-94 issued before April 1, 1980, that indicates you are a Conditional Entrant
- You have a Form I-94 that indicates you are a parolee
There are also exceptions for citizens of the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Find out more.
Types of financial aid
If you don't qualify for FAFSA, you have options! Below, we cover the different types of federal financial aid, as well as some possibilities that are open to international students.
Federal aid
The U.S. Department of Education's Federal Aid office awards more than $111 billion in financial assistance every year. There are four main types of aid.
Federal Pell Grants are for undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. A Pell Grant has one major perk: It rarely needs to be repaid. Instances in which a grant may need to be repaid include if you withdraw from your program early or change your enrollment status. Discover when you have to repay a Pell Grant.
Federal student loans are another option. There are four types of federal student loans:
- Direct subsidized loans are for eligible undergraduate students with proven financial need.
- Direct unsubsidized loans are for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. There's no need to demonstrate financial need.
- Direct PLUS loans are for graduate and professional students and are meant to pay for academic expenses financial aid doesn't cover. There is no requirement to demonstrate financial need.
- Direct consolidation loans allow borrowers to combine their federal student loans into one.
Work-study programs provide undergraduate and graduate students part-time jobs so they can cover expenses. To qualify for work-study, you'll have to demonstrate financial need. Work-study is available to full-time or part-time undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.
Institutional aid from U.S. colleges
Many colleges and universities offer institutional aid for international students. Check directly with the school via their international student office or financial aid office.
Note that every school has its own policies regarding international financial aid. For example, Cornell University confirms they provide financial assistance to international students. In contrast, the University of Virginia doesn't provide financial aid for foreign nationals.
Private student loans
If you're still struggling to fund your U.S. education, private student loans are another option. However, some U.S. loan providers may be hesitant to extend credit to foreign nationals. You may have to jump through some administrative hoops, like securing a cosigner for the loan who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with good credit.
Some lenders that have been known to issue loans to international students in the past include Citizens Bank, College Ave, Sallie Mae, and Ascent. Always do your research before getting a loan, and read the fine print.
Fulbright fellowships and other opportunities
If you've got a strong academic record, a fellowship or similar academic grant may be right for you. The U.S. Fulbright Program is a well-known example. The Fulbright program serves students from more than 140 countries worldwide.
There are also country-specific programs, like the DAAD program, which awards students from Germany stipends to study in the U.S. (and vice versa). You may want to check if your home country has similar initiatives.
The FAFSA application process
Once you confirm you're eligible to apply for FAFSA, you'll have to complete the application form. The deadline varies according to the academic year. For the year 2023 to 2024, the deadline is June 30, 2024. However, different states and schools may have their own deadlines. Check the dates to make sure.
You'll first need to create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. You can do that online. You'll then need to complete the following info:
- Demographic information. This includes basics like your name, date of birth, address, and Social Security Number.
- Relevant schools. List all the schools you're considering, and they will receive your FAFSA information.
- Designate whether you're a dependent or independent. If you're qualified as a dependent of your parents, you'll need to provide their demographic and financial information. If you're qualified as an independent, this isn't necessary. The dependency guidelines are determined by the U.S. government.
- Complete the parent demographics section. If you're designated as a dependent, don't skip this one! Not sure who counts as your official "parent" in FAFSA's eyes? They've got a guide for that.
- Share your financial details. Since some types of federal aid are need-based, you'll have to provide some information about your finances - and, if you're a dependent, your parents' finances. The FAFSA online application makes this pretty easy by linking to the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, so you can transfer your tax information quickly.
That's all you have to do to submit your FAFSA form!
Determining financial need
A few federal student loan options require you to demonstrate financial need. How is that determined? It's based on the cost of attendance (COA) of your school and your expected family contribution (EFC).
To calculate EFC, the application takes into account your income and, if you're a dependent, your parents' tax returns to determine your family income. You can learn more about the formula and use this online calculator to get an estimate of how much aid you may receive.
When it comes to institutional aid, many colleges and universities use something called a CSS profile to determine how much to award. Check with your school to see if they require you to complete the CSS aid forms. You should complete your CSS profile during your senior year of high school. Learn more.
Applying for other financial assistance
There are a lot of different options when it comes to financial aid. Knowing what's available and what you're eligible for can be overwhelming. Reach out to your school's financial aid office for help.
If your school offers aid to international students, they'll likely ask you to complete the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) to gather data about your situation to determine what aid to award you.
Finally, don't forget to scope out government aid options specific to your country. Depending on your homeland, aid may be available to support your studies in the USA.
Repayment and loan considerations
Repayment details for loans depend on the type of the loan and the terms. Even federal student loans vary on their repayment terms. For example, Pell Grants usually don't require repayment, but other types of federal loans do.
Whatever type of loan you take on, always read the fine print. Check details like interest rates and the loan's terms. For federal loans, you can also explore options like Public Service Loan Forgiveness or similar programs.
Navigating the FAFSA for international students
Federal student aid is rarely available for international students who aren't U.S. citizens or permanent residents. But there are plenty of other avenues to fund your college dreams, from grants to institutional scholarships.
If you want to study overseas, College Rover can help you navigate student funding.
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