Mainy1129

Hi Folks

Any advice regarding criteria for applying for scholarships , what to do how difficult, if cant get scholarships does anyone know if my children could apply for student loan like those in Uk to help with fees ( we will have been there just a few months so won't have credit history in US)

Because my 2 elder girls would be studying at the same time trying to calculate any help we could get, we are not on low income of course so is there a limit to loans based on family's income

Thanks in advance

c

Speedwell

That's not so much of an issue. Since your daughters will be in the US, attending a US school, they will have access to school counselors who can help them fill out a special form the US government has developed to establish eligibility (FAFSA). The form is processed and the results sent to the colleges where the student is thinking of applying. The colleges will have full-time staff to help deal with financial aid. These staff members will often have the ability to juggle the numbers so that special cases can be allowed for (they did this in my case when my father lost his job in between my filing the FAFSA and my enrolling in school). If you apply early enough, the college can put together an aid package that gives you the best combination of loans, grants, on-campus work/study, and other assistance based on your actual need. A case where multiple students are attending at the same time in the same family is taken into consideration.

AddyLaddy

My son keeps telling me he can't get scholarships as he is not a Permanent Resident and doesn't have a SSN.
But I've not investigated this claim as he's still a couple of years away from college and we're hoping to get Green Cards early next year.

Speedwell

That's right, don't draw any conclusions yet. Talk to the colleges he plans to enroll in. Laws have a way of changing in a couple years, too.

lisa67

He will be able to apply for some scholarships once he's a LPR including FAFSA.
Some scholarships stipulate that you have to be a citizen, some are happy that you have your green card.

Bob

But there can also be private scholarships either from local businesses, community/commerce related, church related, or funds that the schools set aside themselves.

Just have to ask around.

Won't be eligible for most federal stuff though as mentioned.

lisa67

True, but even the private scholarships often require LPR or USC status....I spent hours trawling through the scholarship sites

helpmeplease123

I have a scholarship and am on an F1 visa... there definitely are options for people who aren't LPR or USC.

lisa67

I never said there wasn't......just that the majority of them want you to be an LPR or USC

Mainy1129

Thanks for this, two of them will be applying from here for college before we leave so can we fill in the application and forms from the UK or will we have to wait until we arrive?

Speedwell

That's a question for the school counselors. Go ahead and give the school a call and ask to talk to the Financial Aid Department.

ottotheboar

Look at smaller less well known colleges. It surprises me how much money they have to give away. We get a good number of unsolicitated calls from them.

Mainy1129

thank you for your replies, will do

jjmb

So you are still in the UK? Do you realise that your children will be classify as international students if they study over here. Also look into the Carnegie Trust and see if they have any scholarships for UK students studying in the USA.

Mainy1129

Thanks, yes still in the Uk until June, thanks will look at the trust

One college has said international the other said once they are here they wont be international student :S