Guide to American

Financials
An Introduction to College Aid

Terminology
Before we delve into financing your American education, here are some terms to
familiarize yourself with financial aid and scholarship in the United States.

Full Tuition Scholarships: Schools will fund your entire tuition (this may
not include textbook costs, healthcare costs, or other extra costs).
Needs-Blind: Schools determine admission based on achievement only,
and will cover your full needs.
Merit: Your individual accomplishments (academic and extra curricular).

Applying for Financial Aid

Many American universities and colleges offer financial aid to international
students. After determining your ability to pay tuition, colleges will offer you an
aid package in an attempt to meet tuition costs. There are two types of forms
that schools will/may require. Applying for financial aid is DIFFERENT than
applying for scholarships.

1.
2.

CSS Financial Aid Profile (slide 4)

International Student Financial Aid Application (slide 5)

These documents will be submitted at the time of your application or while your application is
pending, but you MUST designate on your application that you are applying for financial aid.

CSS/Financial Aid Profile

1.

Watch the presentation that is linked below. The presentation will detail what documents you will
need prepared to fill out the application (tax forms, family income levels, etc.). Then, read the
instructions (also linked below).
a.

http://css.collegeboard.org/

b.

https://profileonline.collegeboard.org/prf/VignetteServlet/VignetteServlet.srv?
relativePath=/profile/pdfs/1617_profile_instructions_drupal.pdf

2.

Have all tax forms and documents prepared before you begin filling out the CSS/Financial Aid
Profile.

3.

All information will be saved on your CollegeBoard account with the same username and password
used to access your SAT profile and other CollegeBoard information.

4.

Once completed, you send the profile to the colleges and universities of your choice.

5.

To begin: https://student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aid-profile

International Student Financial Aid Application

1.

Download the form. Check all the different requirements needed on the form.
a.

http://apply.emory.edu/pdf/InternationalStudentFinancialAidApplication.pdf

b.

Although the application is CollegeBoard certified, it is sent directly to the schools

that require the International Student Financial aid applications.

2.

Gather all documentation needed to verify tax and income related questions.

3.

Designate which universities and colleges need this application, then upload it to your
applications through the particular college or university website.

NOTE: The form above is an EXAMPLE FROM EMORY UNIVERSITY. While the form will
not change depending on the college or university, the International Student Financial Aid
application is processed through the college or university website.

Full Tuition Scholarship Schools

These schools offer full tuition to international students based on student merit. Apply for the
scholarship at the time of university application.

Carleton College, Minnesota

-

Offers six full scholarships, and six partial scholarships ( of tuition covered)
http://apps.carleton.edu/admissions/afford/international_scholarships/

Rice University, Texas

-

Offers both full and partial scholarships, renewable over a 4-year period
http://financialaid.rice.edu/scholarships.aspx

Washington and Lee University, Virgina

-

Offers the Johnson Scholarship, a full scholarship, awarded to 10% of the incoming class.
https://www.wlu.edu/johnson-program/the-johnson-scholarship

Needs- Blind Admission

These schools will cover tuition needs as determined at time of tuition based on income, but will not refuse
admission based on ability to pay tuition.

Harvard University, Massachusetts

-

After submitting a financial profile, the university will determine your assistance, 20% of Harvard students
do not pay tuition.

http://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid/applying-aid/prospective-students

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massachusetts

-

After submitting documentation, MIT will determine your demonstrated financial need, 90% of students
receive some form of aid.

http://sfs.mit.edu/

Amherst College, Massachusetts

-

After submitting documentation at time of application, Amherst will meet your financial needs, and the
average scholarship award was $50, 000.

https://www.amherst.edu/admission/financial_aid

Profiled Schools
The next slides will feature American colleges and universities
that have exemplary international aid and/or give an exceptional
amount of scholarship to international students. To discover more
about these schools, go to the website. On the website you will be
able to find a virtual tour, different program offerings, and
other information.

NOTE: These are some examples of schools. It is recommended to independently

research scholarship options using tools listed at the end of the powerpoint.

Illinois State University, Illinois

Illinois State University offers three major scholarships for international students.
Presidential Scholarship: an $11, 000 per year awarded to a student demonstrating
academic success.
University Scholarship: a $6,000 per year scholarship awarded to a minority student
demonstrating academic success.
Redbird Academic Scholarship: a $1,000-$4,000 per year scholarship awarded to students
demonstrating academic success (at a lower level than the above mentioned awards

For more information: http://admissions.illinoisstate.edu/international/cost/scholarships.

php

Clark University, Massachusetts

Presidential LEEP Scholarships: Offers free tuition, room, and board for the duration of your four year
degree.
Global Scholars Scholarships: Offers a scholarship of $5,000 per year over the next four years
depending on academic standing.
International Traina Scholarships: Offers a scholarship of $20,000 per year over the next four years,
depending on academic standing.
International Achievement Scholarship: Offers a scholarship of $15,000 per year over the next four
years, depending on academic standing.
International Jonas Clark Scholarship: Offers a scholarship of $10,000 per year over the next four
years, depending on academic standing.

For more information: http://www.clarku.edu/scholarships-first-year-international-students#global

Iowa State University, Iowa

International Merit Scholarship: Iowa State University offers two levels of
merit scholarship for international students.

Gold Level: $8,000 per year, renewed depending on academic standing.

Cardinal Level: $4,000 per year, renewed depending on academic standing.
For more information:
http://www.admissions.iastate.edu/intl/merit_scholarships.php

Columbia University, New York

Columbia University gives financial aid to students on a needs-based system.
-

Columbia University will determine how much tuition you can afford to pay, then meet the
needs for the next four years of your tuition
There are no merit, sports, or any academic scholarships
HOWEVER
- When you submit your application to Columbia University, you must also submit your
request for financial aid
- The admission is NOT needs-blind
- Columbia University will take into account your ability to pay tuition while deciding
admission
Columbia University awards over $9 million in aid

For more information:

https://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/intl_fa

Union College, New York

Merit Aid- scholarships awarded at $10,000 per year, automatic consideration when you
apply to Union College.
Need Based Aid- Complete the CSS/Financial Aid profile (see previous slide) for Union
College to determine your ability to pay tuition.

For more information:

https://www.union.edu/offices/finaid/apply/new/#international

Dickinson College, Pennsylvania

John Dickinson Scholarship- a merit based scholarship, awards $20,000 per year.
Benjamin Rush Scholarship- a merit based scholarship, awards $15,000 per year
John Montgomery Scholarship- a merit based scholarship, awards $10,000 per year.
Financial Aid- Dickinson College will take into consideration your ability to pay tuition, and
requires the submission of the CSS/Financial Aid profile.

For more information:

http://www.dickinson.edu/info/20045/admissions/1179/international_student_financial_aid

Scholarship Searching
There is a variety of scholarships available to international students that are not
linked specifically to any university or college. Using the CollegeBoard
Scholarship search engine will help you to supplement your financial aid.

Website: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search#

**remember to refine your search options (male/female, international, field of

study, etc).