I’m curious about how someone can get a full ride scholarship to study in the US.
Having wealthy parents might be the easiest option, unfortunately.
You need to excel academically, have strong extracurriculars, and come from a low- or moderate-income family. Another route is being a recruited athlete at a Division 1 university. Most international students, though, come from families that can afford to pay full tuition.
To get a full ride as an international student, you either need:
A) An income low enough to qualify for full need-based aid.
B) Acceptance to a school that covers 100% of demonstrated financial need.
These schools are very selective, and for international students, the acceptance rates can be as low as 2%. If you get in, your costs can be fully covered.
@Raine
Can a high SAT or TOEFL score increase my chances of getting close to 100% aid?
Whitney said:
@Raine
Can a high SAT or TOEFL score increase my chances of getting close to 100% aid?
High test scores alone won’t secure a full ride. Schools that offer need-based aid look at your overall profile: grades, test scores, extracurriculars, recommendations, and essays. Merit-based scholarships might consider high scores, but they usually cover only part of the cost. For example, the University of Alabama offers up to $28k for strong academics, but with other costs, you’d still need around $25k per year.
@Raine
If I work part-time at the university, can I afford the rest with an 80-90% scholarship?
Whitney said:
@Raine
If I work part-time at the university, can I afford the rest with an 80-90% scholarship?
Working part-time can help, but it won’t cover everything. International students face limits on working hours, typically 20 hours per week during the semester. Earnings might cover smaller expenses like books or meals, but not tuition. Finding an 80-90% scholarship is rare, so you’d still need significant savings or family support.
@Raine
I’d do anything to study in the US. My family earns under $25k a year. Would combining merit- and need-based aid help cover more costs?
Whitney said:
@Raine
I’d do anything to study in the US. My family earns under $25k a year. Would combining merit- and need-based aid help cover more costs?
Schools offering need-based aid usually don’t add merit-based aid on top of it. If you get an outside scholarship, the school might reduce your need-based aid by that amount. State schools generally don’t provide need-based aid for international students. Your best option is applying to schools that explicitly promise full need-based aid for international applicants. They are very competitive, but it’s possible if you have a strong application.
@Raine
My GPA is 3.4, and I’m aiming for 1450+ on the SAT. My extracurriculars are weak, though. Do I have any chance?
Whitney said:
@Raine
My GPA is 3.4, and I’m aiming for 1450+ on the SAT. My extracurriculars are weak, though. Do I have any chance?
With a 3.4 GPA and weak extracurriculars, it’s unlikely to get into schools offering full rides or significant aid. Middle-tier schools might accept you, but you’d need to prepare for costs between $40k and $80k per year. A full ride typically requires exceptional academic and extracurricular achievements.
@Raine
I’m okay with a mid-tier school. I just want to study in the US, even if it’s not a top school. My family can only afford up to $10k per year. I don’t spend much, and I can work part-time. Are there schools I could afford with this budget? I’m a 12th grader.
@Whitney
If your budget is $10k per year, the options are limited. You might need to look into smaller state schools or community colleges where tuition is lower. Community colleges could be a good start, as they often have transfer agreements with larger universities. You could also try reaching out to schools directly to explain your situation and ask about potential aid opportunities.