Applying for US college scholarships as an Australian student

I'm an Australian student in my high school junior year, aiming for college in the US. How do I find and apply for scholarships available to Australian students? Are there any specific programs or advice for handling the application process?

As an international student, it can be more challenging to find scholarships, but it is possible. For starters, even before you look into external scholarships, make sure to check financial aid options provided directly by the colleges you are interested in. Many American colleges provide financial aid or merit-based scholarships to international students, but these policies vary widely, so you should look at each college's financial aid website to see what they offer.

Will you be needing financial aid? Keep in mind that some colleges are need-aware for international students, which means your ability to pay could factor into the admissions decision. However, there are a handful of schools (like Harvard, Yale, and MIT) that are need-blind and meet the full demonstrated needs of all students, including internationals. To get an estimate of your financial aid award, you can use each college's Net Price Calculator (but remember, these may not be 100% accurate, especially for international students).

As you're from Australia, you might also want to look into the American Australian Association, which provides scholarships for Australian students studying in the US.

To find more scholarship opportunities, you could use scholarship search engines. While many scholarships listed on these sites are restricted to US citizens or permanent residents, you can usually filter the results to find scholarships for international students.

When it comes to the application process, it varies depending on the scholarship. Some might require just an application form and financial information, while others might require essays, recommendation letters, or even interviews. Always check the eligibility criteria and application instructions carefully. As an international applicant, be prepared to potentially have to convert your Australian grades into the American GPA system, or to explain the Australian education system in your applications.

While the process can be complex, remember that every bit of funding can help reduce the financial burden of studying abroad. It's a good idea to start this process as early as possible. Best of luck in your scholarship hunting!