The U.S is known for having some of the most prestigious colleges and universities in the world. However, nothing good comes cheap. Top-quality colleges can cost as much as $50,000 per year, which may put a burden on your parents as they struggle to pay for your education.
The good news for international students is that many U.S. colleges have need-based and need-blind admissions and offer financial aid for international students. Understanding the key differences between these two policies will help prospective international students build a list of colleges that suit them financially. Check out the following answers to common questions about need-blind and need-based admissions and financial aid at U.S. schools.
[Check out which schools U.S. News determined offer the best value.]
1. What is the basic difference? Think of “need-blind” as “I do not need to know it to make a decision” and “need-based” as “I need to make my decision based on it.” Need-blind admission means that the college will not take your financial status into consideration while deciding whether or not you will get in. Whereas need-based schools take your financial situation into account. Your financial contribution could be as important as your SAT and TOEFL scores and essays. It plays a role in determining whether or not you will be admitted.
2. How can you find whether schools have need-blind or need-based admissions? Those hoping to get aid from their future colleges should know these need-based and need-blind policies could change. A school may run into some financial crisis, and change its financial aid policy to secure its budget.
In other words, a school that offered need-blind admissions in 2007 may have turned to a need-based policy in 2008 as a result of the economic downturn. International students should email and ask admissions about whether or not their policies are likely change.
Some people would recommend going on a school’s website to find out, but colleges may not update the information in time for you to make your decision about applying.
Colleges that offer need-blind financial assistance usually have a very large endowment, which ensures that they can afford to help pay for your education. They are often private, and have a limited amount of students for each entering class.
There are very few need-blind schools in the U.S., and they can easily be found using simple Internet search tools. However, colleges with need-blind financial aid policies receive the most competitive applications. Other universities are usually need-based or do not offer financial aid for international students at all.
But you should not be disheartened by the fact that need-based schools outnumber their need-blind counterparts. There are a lot of colleges — with both need-based and need-blind admissions policies — that could offer international students a great financial aid package if they see your potential.
[Find scholarships offered to international students.]
A good suggestion from some experienced international applicants is that you check out U.S. News ranking lists, from National Universities to the regional rankings lists, which was part of my application strategy.
Top-ranked schools are not all need-blind, but they often have a great percentage of students whose need is fully met. These are usually U.S. students, but international applicants should definitely check out those statistics, as they can indicate a the school’s financial capacity. In my experience as an applicant, the most generous groups tend to be Regional Colleges and many of the top private National Universities. I sent applications to about 10 schools, only one of which was offered need-blind admissions.
I ended up going to the one that offered me a full-ride scholarship, and surprisingly, it is a need-based school.
[See which colleges enroll the most international students.]
3. How do you qualify for a good financial aid package, or get into a need-blind school? Many international students are concerned about the cost of college in the U.S. Start investing your time and money wisely, and as early as possible. You should bring up your SAT scores to or beyond the range for those schools that offer great financial assistance, write thoughtful essays and show admissions staff that you deserve money from the school.
For instance, my combined SAT score was about 400 points higher than the school’s average. After all, big financial aid packages are awarded to students who either demonstrate an exceptional academic performance or a great level of maturity. Those individuals will add a great value to the college community. Therefore, you as an international applicant need to show them that you are one.
More from U.S. News
Navigate the Financial Aid Process at U.S. Colleges
What Financial Aid Is Available for International Students?
Contrast Need-Blind, Need-Based Aid Policies in U.S. College Search originally appeared on usnews.com
