Navigating US college scholarships for international students

I'm a high school junior from overseas considering studying in the US. What kind of scholarships are available for international students, and how should I go about applying for them? Do I need to focus on academic, athletic, or need-based options?

Navigating scholarships as an international student can be challenging, but don't worry, there are options available. Scholarships for international students broadly fall into three categories: need-based financial aid, merit-based scholarships, and designated scholarships for international students.

1. Need-Based Financial Aid: Available at select schools in the U.S, typically private ones. These schools offer financial aid packages based on your family's financial circumstances, which can include grants, loans, and a work-study program. To qualify, you normally have to complete the school's financial aid application process. The process often requires documents like your parents' tax returns and an overview of your family's financial situation. This process is typically separate from your main application.

2. Merit-Based Scholarships: These are based on academic, athletic, or artistic talent, regardless of financial need. They can be provided by colleges themselves or external organizations. For academic scholarships, institutions often consider your high school GPA, standardized test scores, and extracurricular achievements. Athletic scholarships are primarily available at NCAA Division I and II schools and are dependent on your athletic abilities. As an international student, you will need to become eligible with the NCAA Eligibility Center. If you're a talented artist, musician, or performer, you could qualify for artistic merit scholarships, often requiring an audition or portfolio.

3. Designated Scholarships for International Students: Certain scholarships are specifically designated for international students, and these can be academic, need-based, or country-specific. These can be found through scholarship databases like Appily, or on U.S college financial aid websites.

In order to apply for these scholarships, you'll typically need to provide various documents like your high school transcript, standardized test scores, and possibly letters of recommendation. Sometimes, additional materials like essays are necessary. It helps to have these documents gathered and prepared early, to avoid last-minute stress.

Remember to apply early and often. Competition is stiff, and applying to more scholarships increases your chances of securing financial assistance. Also, be sure to consider the terms of the scholarship whether they are renewable annually, or just a one-time fund.

In sum, the financial aid and scholarships available to you might limit your choice of U.S. colleges, so it's good to get a handle on this early on in your college selection process. And it's okay to reach out to colleges' financial aid offices directly with any questions you have. They're there to help you.