Tips for filling ISFAA - International Student Financial Aid Application

ISFAA

Many aspiring college students who do not live in the United States do not realize that they too can get financial aid to study at a college in the United States. I'm not going to lie to you and tell you it's a fun and easy process, but it is very doable for international students to get financial aid to study at a college in the United States. Just like U.S. residents, you will need to fill out a form and make sure that the college of your choice accepts financial aid for international students.

Financial Aid for International Students: Step 1
You will need to obtain an International Student Financial Aid Application or ISFAA. You can purchase this form on the college board website or you can download it for free from the college of your choice that accepts international financial aid. The ISFAA is comprised of seven sections and all sections need to be filled out completely to be eligible for international financial aid.

Financial Aid for International Students: Step 2
You will start by filling out Section A which includes the students personal information, marital status, names of former colleges, citizenship and type of visa. Once this section is complete you will move onto to Section B which includes the students parents personal information, parents employer and parents educational information. After this is complete you will delve into the financial stuff of the financial aid for which is Section C through Section G. Keep in mind the US currency exchange rate. This is crucial and will need to be stated in the ISFAA as well as all required documents.

Financial Aid for International Students: Step 3
The ISFAA requires extremely detailed financial information. Anything having to do with you and your families assets and income will need to be declared and well documented. They want to know everything such as when the house you live in was purchased, how much is was, present value etc. They will even ask about things such as valuable artwork owned by you family so be prepared and get anything that has to do with money and assets ready before you begin filling out the ISFAA.

Financial Aid for International Students: Step 4
Those who review your ISFAA will be extremely thorough with you and your families expenses. They will want information on things such as basic necessities (food, utility, mortgage/rent, clothing), medical expenses, servants/maids, insurance, car maintenance and payments and even vacations. They also want to know about you and your families debt so dig out everything. Section F will want t information on what type of financial support you expect from yourself, family etc. over the entire four years you will be attending college in the United States.

Financial Aid for International Students: Step 5
Once you get to Section G the numbers begin to disappear and you are entitled to discuss any non-conventional expenses you expect as well as any special circumstances that you want the college to take into account when reviewing your ISFAA. Once you complete Section G, go back and double and triple check all of the information for accuracy and completeness. Also, make sure you and your parents sign the forms in all of the required places.

Financial Aid for International Students: Step 6
Make sure everything is complete on the ISFAA and all of the documents that are required to accompany it are complete and in the package. Check with the school before sealing it and sending it to make sure you have it all there. The final step it to send it in before the deadline. Since you are international send it in plenty of time before the deadline. We recommend sending in the ISFAA at least a month before the deadline.