I'm an international junior trying to figure out college finances. I'm looking for US universities that offer really good financial aid packages to international students. Any suggestions or experiences with schools that are known for this?
It's excellent that you're considering financial aid as part of your college search process. There are several U.S. universities known for their generous financial aid for international students.
Harvard University, for instance, is committed to meeting 100% of all admitted student’s demonstrated need, and this policy includes international students. Their aid is need-based, which means it is determined by your family's financial situation. The same goes for Stanford University, which also meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for international students.
Yale University offers need-blind admission and meets 100% of the demonstrated need for all students, including international. This means that they don't take into account your ability to pay when deciding whether to admit you.
MIT is one of the few institutions in the U.S. that offers need-blind admissions and meets the full demonstrated need for all admitted undergraduate students, including international students.
Moreover, private colleges such as Amherst College, and Williams College also offer need-based financial aid to international students and are known for their generous aid packages.
Keep in mind that the aid offered can depend heavily on your family's financial circumstances and the cost of attendance at the particular institution. Make sure to use the net price calculators on each university's financial aid page to get an estimate of what you might expect to pay. Make sure to submit your financial aid applications, like the CSS Profile (required by many schools for international student aid consideration), on time. Always check each college's financial aid website for the most accurate info.
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