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Prepare Financial Documents

1. Income statements or tax returns: Documents showing family income for the past 1-2 years.
2. Asset information: Details of property or significant assets owned by the family.
3. Bank statements: Proof of available savings or financial resources.
4. But the the most important thing is to request an application form from the institution's admissions office

Many U.S. universities offer substantial financial aid packages to international students, covering full or partial tuition. Look for universities that:

1. Are need-blind for international applicants (they do not consider financial need in admissions decisions)
2. Meet 100% of demonstrated financial need (they cover the cost that students and families cannot afford based on financial assessments).

Understand the Options

Several scholarships are available specifically for students from Africa and the Caribbean afor example the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program, The Diana Kamal Scholarship Search Fund (DKSSF), and University-Specific Scholarships that's all been mentioned in the previous page.

Cost of Attendance (COA) Overview

Before applying for aid, it’s important to understand the full cost of attendance, which typically includes:

• Tuition and fees
• Room and board (housing & meals)
• Books and supplies
• Personal expenses
• Health insurance
• Transportation

Each university provides an estimated COA on their financial aid or admissions webpage. Use this as a starting point when estimating how much aid you need.

Need-Blind vs. Need-Aware Schools

Some U.S. colleges have different approaches to international financial aid:

• Need-Blind Admission: A few schools (like Harvard, Princeton, Amherst, and MIT) admit international students without considering their ability to pay, and then meet 100% of demonstrated need.
• Need-Aware Admission: Most colleges consider a student’s financial situation when making admission decisions. However, many still offer generous aid after acceptance.

How Aid Eligibility is Determined

For international students, most aid eligibility is based on CSS Profile or a school-specific financial aid form (not FAFSA).

Required documents may include:

• Bank statements
• Parent income documentation (tax returns or pay stubs)
• Asset declarations
• Family budget breakdown

Some schools may request these through online portals or email after you apply.

Region-Specific Scholarships

Many scholarships are available only to students from specific countries or continents:

• MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program – For students from Sub-Saharan Africa
• Latin American and Caribbean Scholarships – Offered by many Florida and Texas institutions
• Asian Scholarships – Provided by groups like the East-West Center or Japan-United States Friendship Commission

Always check if the school you’re applying to offers region-based awards.

Co-Signer Requirement for Loans

Most international student loans require a U.S. co-signer, typically a citizen or permanent resident with good credit. If you don’t have a co-signer:

• Consider MPOWER or Prodigy Finance, which don’t require one.
• Some schools also offer no-cosigner loan partnerships through their financial aid office.

Tax Considerations for Scholarships and Aid

In some cases, scholarships for international students may be taxed—especially if they cover costs beyond tuition (like housing or meals). Students may be required to file a Form 1040-NR or Form W-8BEN with the IRS.

Emergency Grants and Aid

Some universities offer:

• Emergency aid for unexpected financial hardships (medical expenses, family emergencies)
• Hardship funds for international students affected by currency fluctuations or crises back home

Ask your university’s International Student Office or Financial Aid Office about these options.