I'm an international student looking at colleges in the US, and I'm really curious about which schools are known for being super generous with financial aid. Any recommendations or personal experiences that could help me identify some of these universities?
A number of universities in the US are known for providing generous financial aid to international students. Be aware that the policies can vary widely from school to school, so I would always recommend checking the specific details on the university’s official website.
1. Harvard University: Known for its need-blind financial aid policy for all students, including international ones. If your family income is less than $75,000, you typically contribute nothing towards the cost of attendance.
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): MIT also practices need-blind admissions for international students and meets 100% of demonstrated need.
3. Yale University: Yale's financial aid awards for international students are need-based and the university meets 100% of demonstrated need.
4. Amherst College: One of few liberal arts colleges that offer need-blind admissions to international students and meets 100% of need.
Some other universities that offer substantial aid to international students, although not on a need-blind basis, include University of Pennsylvania and Stanford University.
Remember that each college has its own formula to calculate need and determine aid awards, so the size of a financial aid package can vary from one school to the next. You can utilize their Net Price Calculators to get an estimation of your expected family contribution. Applications for financial aid usually require documents such as your family’s tax returns and other forms, so prepare those in advance.
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