The Complete Guide to Financial Aid for International Students

Studying in the U.S. can be expensive, but we’ve found plenty of ways to make it more affordable—even for international students. While federal financial aid is limited to eligible noncitizens, options including scholarships, school-based aid, and private loans can help you cover the cost. 

In this guide, we’ll break down what financial aid you might qualify for, how to apply, and where to turn if you need extra support.

Table of Contents

1. Can international students apply for financial aid via the FAFSA?
2. What types of financial aid can international students get? 
3. How to get financial aid for international students in the USA in 4 steps
4. Can foreign students get student loans?
5. Other ways international students can finance their studies 

Can international students apply for financial aid via the FAFSA?

Federal financial aid is primarily reserved for students who are citizens of the United States.

As noncitizens, most international students aren’t eligible for federal student aid. 

Plus, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) requires a Social Security number, which international students don’t have. 

However, this doesn’t apply to every international student; a few exceptions are made for “eligible noncitizens” who want to study in the United States. These include:

• U.S. permanent residents with a valid green card
• U.S. nationals, including those from American Samoa and Swains Island
• Those granted refugee or asylum status in the U.S.
• Victims of human trafficking with a T-visa
• A spouse who has been the victim of abuse by a citizen or permanent resident or their child
• Citizens of the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Federated States of Micronesia

International students who meet these conditions should fill out the FAFSA. But if you’re coming to the United States on a temporary student visa (typically an F-series visa), you won’t qualify for federal financial aid and shouldn’t complete the FAFSA.

If you’re still unsure whether you should fill out the FAFSA, use the chart below to check your eligibility. 

Situation	Should you file the FAFSA?
U.S. permanent resident (green card holder)	Yes
U.S. national (includes American Samoa or Swains Island)	Yes
Arrival-departure record (I-94) from U.S. Immigration with a status of: refugee, asylum granted, conditional permanent resident, Cuban-Haitian entrant, or conditional entrant (issued before April 1, 1980)	Yes
Parolee (paroled for at least one year) with arrival-departure record (I-94) from U.S. Immigration	Yes, if intending to become a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Ukrainian/Afghan citizen paroled under special conditions	Yes, if paroled between February 24, 2022 – September 30, 2024, for Ukrainian citizens and July 31, 2021 – September 30, 2023, for Afghan citizens
Victim of human trafficking (T-visa or parent with T-1)	Yes
Battered immigrant-qualified alien	Yes
Citizen of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, or Palau	Yes, but limited to specific federal aid programs (e.g., Pell Grants)
Native American born in Canada with a status under the Jay Treaty of 1794	May qualify
Undocumented student (including DACA recipient)	No (but may qualify for state or private aid)
F-1, F-2, M-1, J-1, J-2, or G visa holder	No
Employment Authorization (Form I-766)	No
Notice of Approval to Apply for Permanent Residence	No

What types of financial aid can international students get? 

Several funding options may be available, depending on whether you qualify to fill out the FAFSA. Let’s take a closer look at the various types of financial aid you may have access to as an international student.  

Eligible noncitizens who complete the FAFSA

If you meet the criteria to fill out the FAFSA as an eligible noncitizen, you can access federal financial aid. Here’s what that might include:

• Federal loans: Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as PLUS Loans for graduate students or parents of dependent students (though the parent must also be a U.S. national or eligible noncitizen).
• Grants: If you demonstrate financial need, you may be eligible for a federal Pell Grant or the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG).
• Work-study programs: Many schools offer federal work-study programs, allowing you to work part-time on campus or with approved employers while earning your degree.

Additional funding may also be available through your school; be sure to check with the financial aid office for more information. 

International students who aren’t eligible for federal financial aid

If you don’t qualify to submit the FAFSA, don’t worry—there are still ways to finance your education. Here are a few options:

Institutional aid

Some colleges and universities offer financial aid to international students, though the amounts could be limited, especially for undergraduate students. Contact your school’s financial aid office to learn what opportunities may be available to you.

Scholarships 

Several scholarships are designed specifically for international students, such as:

• EducationUSA Scholarships: Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, EducationUSA offers various resources and links to funding opportunities.
• Fulbright Program: The Fulbright Program is a well-known scholarship program for international students that offers funding for graduate study or research in the United States.
• Other scholarships: You can also search for scholarships designed for international students on College Board and CareerOneStop.

Private student loans

Lenders including MPOWER, Earnest, and Ascent offer private loans to international students. However, many lenders require a U.S.-based cosigner.

If these options don’t cover all your costs, you may need to use personal or family resources to pay for school. For additional help sorting out your options, contact your school’s financial aid office or the EducationUSA advising center nearest to you.

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Is there a Pell Grant for international students?

No Pell Grants are available for international students. Pell grants are only given to students who qualify for federal student aid, so they’re only available to international students the U.S. government recognizes as “eligible noncitizens.”  

How to get financial aid for international students in the USA in 4 steps

Finding financial aid as an international student is easier when you break it down step by step. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Determine what type of financial aid you qualify for

 If you’re an eligible noncitizen, you may be able to access federal financial aid. If not, you’ll need to explore other options.

2. Gather all necessary information

This may include:

• Identification (passport and visa or I-20 form)
• Parents’ employers, income, debts, and assets
• Financial documents, such as bank statements and tax returns
• Expected expenses and how much your family can contribute

3. Fill out the required forms

If you qualify as an eligible noncitizen, complete the FAFSA form. 

If you don’t qualify as an eligible noncitizen, contact the financial aid office at your school to find out what it requires. Some of the forms you may need to fill out include:

• An International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA)
• A College Scholarship Service (CSS) profile on the College Board website
• The school’s own financial aid form (but not every school has one)

4. Wait to get the results of your application

If you have all your documents and information ready in one place, it should only take you an hour or so to fill out the applications. Of course, you can always start an application and return to it later if you need more time. 

Just be sure you meet the application deadlines: 

• The FAFSA application opens on October 1 and must be completed by June 30.
• Your school will set the deadline for the ISFAA.
• The CSS profile is made available every year on October 1, but deadlines to complete it vary by school. 

The time it takes to get results from financial aid applications varies by school, so it’s best to check with your institution’s financial aid office for a specific timeline.

Since most universities have money set aside for scholarships specifically for international students, I recommend going this route first—and early; competition for these is high. 
The U.S. may offer government-sponsored programs for a handful of countries, so I suggest looking to these next. Scholarships may also be available from your home country’s government or a private sector in your home country. And look into student exchange programs: Many U.S. citizens are also looking for educational experience in other countries, which may lower tuition costs for both parties.

Can foreign students get student loans?

Yes, foreign students can get loans to study in the U.S. If you’re an eligible noncitizen who has filled out a FAFSA, you may qualify for federal Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans. Private student loans could also be an option.

If you’re coming over on a temporary student visa, you won’t qualify for federal student loans, but you may be able to take out private loans as long as you meet the lender’s criteria. The requirements tend to vary by lender, but they typically include the following: 

• Enrollment: You must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree program at an eligible U.S. institution.
• Documentation: You’ll need to provide necessary documentation, including proof of identity, income, and authorization to study in the U.S.
• Cosigner requirement: Most lenders require a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Credit history: If a cosigner is required, they must have a credit history established in the U.S. and meet the lender’s minimum credit score requirement.
• Proof of income: You or your cosigner must provide documentation that shows your annual income. 

To help you find a lender that works for you, here’s a table to help you compare the top lenders for international student loans.

Other ways international students can finance their studies 

If you don’t qualify for federal aid or private student loans, you still have options. Here are a few more avenues you can explore:

• Home-country funding: Check whether your home country offers scholarships, government-sponsored funding, or education loans for students studying abroad.
• On-campus employment: If you’re an F-1 visa holder, you can work on campus for up to 20 hours a week during the semester, which can help cover living expenses. 
• Tuition payment plan: Some schools offer plans that stretch tuition payments out over time so you don’t have to pay in one lump sum; this could help make your education costs easier to manage.
• Tuition reduction: Some schools offer tuition reductions or need-based waivers for international students, along with potential discounts on housing for those who live on campus. 
• Exchange programs: Many U.S. universities have exchange programs with sister schools in other countries; this could allow you to study in the U.S. while paying tuition to your home institution. (These programs are usually limited to just one year.)
• Income-share agreement (ISA): A few nonprofits and universities offer ISAs; these give you money to pay for school in exchange for a commitment to repay the loan using a portion of your future income.

If none of these options work, consider reaching out to your school’s financial aid office or an EducationUSA advising center. They can point you toward additional options to help you fund your education.

The financial planning process for international students will be similar to that for U.S. citizens: Try to save early in an investment plan, research costs and the applicable inflation rate, research financial aid and scholarship availability, and establish a budget and emergency fund. 
You must also prepare for visa and travel expenses, which will include continual monitoring of currency exchange.