Which colleges offer scholarships for international students?

I'm currently an international student looking at US colleges. Which colleges are known for providing good scholarships to international students? I'm especially interested in colleges that offer need-based or merit-based aid to international students.

While many colleges do extend financial aid to international students, the degree to which they do varies greatly.

For need-based aid, certain colleges commit to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, including international students. For instance, schools like Harvard, MIT, Yale, and Princeton have notable need-blind admission policies for international students, meaning they do not consider your ability to pay when making the admission decision.

On the other hand, some colleges offer generous merit-based scholarships, open to all students regardless of their nationality, based on exceptional talent or achievement. Institutions like the University of Southern California (USC), University of Texas at Dallas, and Emory University have well-established programs for high-achieving students.

Furthermore, colleges with extensive resources, such as the University of Chicago, are known to provide a substantial amount of aid to international students, although they are need-aware, which means your ability to pay can factor into admission decisions.

It's also worth noting that many scholarships have application deadlines or special application processes, so make sure to keep an eye on those details when applying. Start by checking each school's financial aid website for specific information.

Remember to run each school's Net Price Calculator to get an estimate of how much aid you could potentially receive. Some of these calculators are more helpful for international students than others, but they typically offer a good jumping-off point.

Lastly, keep your options open and apply to a range of schools. The more places you apply, the better your chances of receiving a good financial aid package. Best of luck in your college search!