Financial Aid

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Financial Aid: Colleges and Universities in the United States

Financial Aid for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

  1. Start with an overview of how financial aid in the US works.
  2. Then learn about how to find scholarships or grants, the type of financial aid that does not have to be repaid.
  3. Be clear on the warning signs for scams, because there are people trying to make money on services that are free.
  4. FinAid.org has useful information on scholarships, but be aware that FinAid is owned by FastWeb. FastWeb sells student information to colleges and other organizations, so you may want to have a special email address to use if you register.
  5. Online forums and discussion board on all things financial aid.
  6. The College Solution: A Guide for Everyone Looking for the Right School at the Right Price by Lynne O’Shaunghnessy, although written for families living in the US, provides a thorough explanation of how financial aid works in the US and is highly recommended.
  7. Hobson’s webinar on finding scholarships.
  8. Specific information on Financial Aid for U.S. Citizens Living Overseas
  9. For the situation where parents are not U.S. citizens but the student is, scroll down in this New York Times’ FAFSA Q&A  article this question: “I know that dual nationals living abroad who acquired their American citizenship through an American parent can apply for financial aid.

Financial Aid for International Students

Students applying to college in the United States who do not have U.S. citizenship are considered international students. Many colleges and universities have policies limiting financial aid to international students, so if you will need financial aid to attend, pay attention to these policies when deciding where to apply.

  1. Basic financial information on studying in the U.S. Unfortunately, there is no walk-in office for EducationUSA in Switzerland. However, see this page for telephone and email contact information.
  2. How to find out if a college gives financial aid to international students.
  3. 2015 List of American Colleges and Universities with Financial Aid for International Students. Be sure to double check the information found on this list with the website for the specific college or university you are interested in.
  4. The Institute of International Education provides the Funding US Study website.