Getting an education in the United States of America is expensive, but for international students studying in the U.S., the cost is even higher than those paid by local students.
Almost 5.5% of the total U.S. higher education population in the 2018-2019 academic year comprised of international students, according to the data from the Institute of International Education. But the international students pay a significantly higher amount of tuition fee, so in the same year, these students contributed nearly $41 billion to the U.S. economy according to NAFSA (Association of International Educators).
And unlike their U.S. colleagues, international students are often not offered any financial aid that can help bring down college costs. To qualify for federal student aid, for instance, students must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens, such as lawful permanent residents.
Nevertheless, there are some colleges that offer institutional aid to international students.
It was revealed in a survey that among the 461 ranked colleges that reported providing at least 50 international students aid during the 2019-2020 school year, the average grant was $23,410.
Although, some schools are even more generous: Among the ten universities that offered international students the most financial aid, the average amount was $68,569. Columbia University in New York awarded the maximum average amount of aid in 2019-2020, offering nearly 300 international students with an average of $71,069. But Columbia is also the most expensive private college in the United States, with the cost of tuition at $64,380 for the 2020-2021 academic year.
All of the universities making this top 10 list are private institutions. Majority of them are located on the East Coast, in states like Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut.
Many of these listed educational institutions are also ranked in the top 10 among National Universities. These schools are often research-oriented and offer bachelor’s, masters and doctoral degrees. While Arizona State University, Tempe, which is a public university, did not make this list, it provided financial aid to the highest number of students among all ranked institutions in 2019-2020. ASU awarded 2,803 international students an average of $4,737 in financial aid.
List of 10 schools that gave the most financial aid –
1) Columbia University (NY) –
Number of international students who got aid – 299
Average aid awarded – $71,609
School Rank – 3
2) Skidmore College (NY) –
Number of international students who got aid – 96
Average aid awarded – $70,205
School Rank -36 (Liberal Arts)
3) Amherst College (MA) –
Number of international students who got aid – 133
Average aid awarded – $69,434
School Rank – 2 (Liberal Arts)
4) Dartmouth College (MA) –
Number of international students who got aid – 261
Average aid awarded – $68,998
School Rank – 13
5) Williams College (MA) –
Number of international students who got aid – 108
Average aid awarded – $68,456
School Rank – 1 (Liberal Arts)
6) Duke University (NC) –
Number of international students who got aid – 211
Average aid awarded – $68,044
School Rank – 12
7) Standford University (CA) –
Number of international students who got aid – 245
Average aid awarded – $68,000
School Rank – 6
8) Wesleyan University (CT) –
Number of international students who got aid – 95
Average aid awarded – $67,468
School Rank – 20 (Liberal Arts)
9) Swarthmore College (PA) –
Number of international students who got aid – 67
Average aid awarded – $67,165
School Rank – 3 (Liberal Arts)
10)Harvard University (MA) –
Number of international students who got aid – 605
Average aid awarded – $66,805
School Rank – 2
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