Hey! I'm an international student preparing to start my college applications. Let's be real, the cost of universities in the U.S can be kinda daunting, especially for those not domestic. Which colleges are known to provide significant financial aid or scholarships to international students?
There are several U.S universities known for their generous financial aid policies towards international students.
Yale University, for instance, practices need-blind admissions for all students, including internationals. This means that your financial situation will not be considered during the admission process. Yale commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students so if you establish need, Yale will provide grants, not loans, so it’s free money that doesn’t need to be repaid.
Similarly, Harvard University has a robust financial aid program. Families with annual incomes below $85,000 are not expected to contribute to college costs. Families earning between $85,000 and $150,000 will contribute from 0% to 10% of income, depending on individual circumstances. They also do not expect students to take out loans as part of their aid package.
MIT also falls under this category. They do not differentiate between domestic and international students in providing financial aid, so as an international student, you’ll receive financial aid that meets your full need.
Princeton University's financial aid program is also exceptional. They were the first university to offer a financial aid policy that replaced loans with grants, meaning recipients do not need to repay them. They also promise to meet 100% of financial need of all admitted students.
Amherst College is another one worth considering. It's a liberal arts college that provides need-based aid to international students, meeting 100% demonstrated need. The financial aid packages are quite robust and also include grant aid rather than loans.
This is just a sampling of U.S universities with strong financial aid programs for international students. You might want to research each of these schools in more detail and continue exploring other universities. Remember that each school has its own financial aid forms and deadlines so make sure to be aware of those details in your college application process.
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