Financial Aid for International Students

For international students looking to study in the U.S., one of the main concerns is financial aid. With tuition fees quickly rising, many students need assistance with their studies. The good news is that there are numerous financial aid programs available (including scholarship opportunities) to international students, and FAFSA is one of them.

What is FAFSA? 

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It’s a form of financial aid provided by the U.S. government and administered by the U.S. Department of Education. FAFSA grants are usually only available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible non-citizens; however, there are some circumstances where you may be able to apply and its worth taking a look into to see if you’re eligible.

Financial Aid Opportunities 

In addition to completing a FAFSA form, there are a variety of other financial aid opportunities available to international students. Here are just some of them: 

• Scholarships for college can help offset the cost of tuition and other related expenses. There are numerous scholarships specifically designed for international students
• Bursaries can provide funding from government sources or from universities themselves. In some cases, bursaries may cover full tuition costs, while in others they may be more limited in scope. Contact your university’s admissions office to learn more about bursary eligibility requirements and application processes. 
• Grants are typically awarded based on financial need, academic merit, or talent in specific areas such as athletics or music performance. Check with your school’s financial aid office for more information about grant eligibility requirements and application processes. Additionally, many national governments offer grants specifically designed for international students who plan on studying abroad; contact your home country’s ministry of education or equivalent agency to find out more about these programs.
• Some international organizations, such as Foundation’s or religious groups, may be able to offer you some financial support 

Here are ten popular scholarships for college tailored specifically towards international students to get you started:                                                      

• Fulbright Foreign Student Program
• Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University
• Hubert Humphrey Fellowships in USA for International Students 
• Fully-Funded Rotary Peace Fellowships
• Boston University Presidential Scholarship for International Students
• Emory University Scholar Programs
• Civil Society Leadership Awards
• Obama Foundation Scholars Program
• EWC Graduate Degree Scholarships for Asia and the Pacific
• American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship

International students looking to pursue their studies in the United States can take advantage of various financial aid programs tailored specifically towards them. While FAFSA isn’t usually an option for international students, there are other options ranging from scholarships and fellowships to grants and loans that can help cover some or all of your tuition costs. Do your research and find out which program best suits your needs! Good luck!

In 6 quick steps, you can get matched with colleges and qualify for financial grants. This free service allows you to connect with colleges that match your interest in and receive Grant offers! Click here for more information.

Other scholarship opportunities you may be interested in:

Illinois Wesleyan University International Students Scholarships

Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD)

AAUW International Fellowships in USA for Women

PEO International Peace Scholarships for Women

ISCP Scholarships at University of Oregon USA

Clark Global Scholarship Program

Berea College Scholarships for International Students

American University Online Program Scholarships

Fitzduff Family Social Policy and Coexistence Fellowship at Brandeis University

Humanitarian Health Scholarships at Johns Hopkins University 

Sidney Topol Fellowship in Nonviolence Practice at Brandeis University

George Washington University Global Leaders Fellowship

Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship

MasterCard Foundation Scholarship Program for Africans

Farleigh Dickinson Scholarships for International Students

Applying for a scholarship program can be challenging and may require several attempts. If you need help writing your scholarship application, you need to know how to convince the scholarship program board that you deserve the scholarship. We have some help with the essay writing and application by clicking this link.