Applying for Financial Aid

CSS Profile, ISFAA, required documents, deadlines, and what to expect after submitting.

Why Financial Aid Matters#

If you are an international student who needs money to attend school, financial aid is not optional — it is essential. The schools on the list in Chapter 1 will meet 100% of your demonstrated financial need, but only if you apply for aid properly and on time.

Financial aid is separate from your admissions application. You apply to the school through the Common App, and you apply for financial aid through separate forms. Both must be completed.

The CSS Profile#

The CSS Profile is the main financial aid form used by most private colleges and universities. It is managed by the College Board (the same organization that runs the SAT).

You can create your account and fill it out at cssprofile.collegeboard.org.

For a full video walkthrough, watch: CSS Profile Walkthrough on YouTube

What the CSS Profile Asks#

The CSS Profile is detailed. It asks about:

Your parents' income (salaries, business income, rental income, etc.)
Your parents' assets (property, savings, investments, vehicles)
Your family's expenses (medical costs, education for siblings, debt)
Your own income and savings
Special circumstances (job loss, medical emergency, natural disaster, etc.)

Documents You Will Need#

Before you start the CSS Profile, gather these documents:

Parents' tax returns or income statements
Bank statements
Property valuations or records
Business records (if your parents own a business)
Any documentation of special financial circumstances

If your family does not file taxes or does not have formal income documentation, do not worry. You can explain your situation in the additional information section. Many families around the world operate in cash economies or informal sectors. Schools understand this.

CSS Profile Fees#

The CSS Profile costs about $25 for the first school and $16 for each additional school. However, fee waivers are available for students with financial need. When you create your account and enter your financial information, the system will automatically determine if you qualify for a fee waiver.

Some schools do not require the CSS Profile fee at all. Check the appendix for a list of schools with no CSS Profile fee.

The ISFAA#

Some schools use the Institutional School Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) instead of the CSS Profile. The ISFAA is a free form — no fee at all. It asks similar questions to the CSS Profile.

If a school uses the ISFAA, you will usually find it on the school's financial aid website. Download it, fill it out, and submit it directly to the school.

Deadlines#

Financial aid deadlines are just as important as admissions deadlines. If you miss the financial aid deadline, you may be admitted but receive no money.

Early Decision / Early Action: Financial aid forms are usually due in mid-November or early December.
Regular Decision: Financial aid forms are usually due in January or February.

Check each school's specific deadline. Some schools have different deadlines for the CSS Profile and for additional documents.

Submit Early#

Do not wait until the last minute. Submit your financial aid forms as early as possible. If you are missing a document, submit what you have and send the missing document later. It is better to have an incomplete application in the system than no application at all.

What Happens After You Submit#

After you submit your financial aid forms, the school's financial aid office will review your information. They may:

Ask for additional documents (this is common — do not panic)
Ask for clarification on something you reported
Contact you with follow-up questions

Respond to these requests quickly. Delays can affect your financial aid package.

Financial Aid Packages#

When you are admitted, the school will send you a financial aid package. This package shows:

Total cost of attendance — tuition, room, board, fees, books, personal expenses
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) — what the school expects your family to pay
Grants and scholarships — free money you do not pay back
Work-study — a campus job (usually 10-15 hours per week)
Loans — money you borrow and must pay back (not all packages include loans)

The best packages are mostly grants and scholarships with minimal or no loans.

Understanding Your Package#

When comparing packages from different schools, focus on the net cost — the total cost minus grants and scholarships. That is what you will actually pay out of pocket.

A school with a $85,000 total cost and $83,000 in grants costs you $2,000. A school with a $40,000 total cost and $20,000 in grants costs you $20,000. The more expensive school is actually cheaper for you.

Appealing Your Financial Aid#

If you receive a financial aid package that does not meet your need, you can appeal. Write a respectful letter or email to the financial aid office explaining:

Why the package does not meet your need
Any changes in your family's financial situation
Offers from comparable schools (if you have better packages elsewhere)

Schools want you to enroll. If they admitted you, they want to make it work. Appealing is normal and encouraged — it is not rude or ungrateful. Many students receive better packages after appealing.

Pro Tip

Need help paying for your degree? MPOWER Financing offers student loans for international students — no cosigner, no collateral. Available at 400+ schools in the US and Canada. Check if you qualify

Chapter Quiz

Answer all questions correctly to unlock the next chapter.

1. What are the two main financial aid forms for international students?

2. What is the ISFAA?

3. When is the financial aid deadline typically?

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