If you’d like to attend college in the United States but you think it’s too expensive, you might be in for a surprise. U.S. News & World Report reveals that many U.S. colleges and universities, including some of the most elite U.S. schools, offer financial aid to international students.
Although not every student is eligible, undergraduates from abroad at nearly 345 U.S. colleges received aid packages during the most recent academic year for which data is available. The average scholarship awarded to an international student was $17,721.
Some schools — including Harvard University, Amherst College, Yale University and the University of Chicago — offer substantially more, awarding an average of more than $50,000 to qualified international students. Here are the 10 U.S. colleges and universities offering the most aid to international students, listed in order of average funds provided:
| 1. University of Chicago | 6. Amherst College |
| 2. Williams College | 7. Wesleyan University |
| 3. Yale University | 8. Stanford University |
| 4. Skidmore College | 9. Trinity College |
| 5. Harvard University | 10. Dartmouth College |
At Skidmore College, a small four-year liberal arts school in Saratoga Springs, New York, 80 of its 220 international students — hailing from 57 countries — were awarded an average of $53,523 each during a recent academic year.
Many schools use the College Board CSS Profile to assess international students’ eligibility for financial aid. Even though as an international student you would not be eligible for U.S. government aid programs, schools may ask you to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) directly so that they can assess your financial need. You can find out more at eduPass — The SmartStudent Guide to Studying in the USA.
Campus jobs are sometimes part of the deal, so consider whether you might enjoy working part-time while going to school.
Explore your options for studying in the USA.
