I have an international friend who's a current college student. Are there specific grants and scholarships available for them? It seems like most aid is geared toward citizens. Any advice would be appreciated!
Indeed, finding financial aid as an international student can be challenging, but there are options out there. Oftentimes, this aid comes in the form of merit-based scholarships. These are awarded based on academic, artistic, or other abilities, and they do not require the recipient to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Many schools offer merit-based scholarships for all admitted students, which includes international students.
There are also some external scholarships and grants that are exclusively for international students, such as those offered by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) for female students, or the Aga Khan Foundation's International Scholarship Programme. For students from developing countries, the Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program provides an opportunity as well.
Your friend might also explore options at their home country. Some governments and organizations offer scholarships or loans to students who are studying abroad.
It's worth getting in touch with the school’s financial aid office for further advice. They may be able to provide additional resources or ideas for scholarships that your friend could apply to. Lastly, scholarship search platforms like Scholarships.com or Appily may also have scholarships indexed for international students.
As a last resort, your friend might consider work-study programs or part-time employment, provided their student visa allows it. It's not as straightforward as receiving a scholarship, but it's an additional way to finance education.
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