question about enrolling in college

[together2love 0]

That is good to know. Thanks

[~ Karima ~ 0]

So there is no problem for a PR to go to college using grants provided by the university? Is that correct?

Correct. No problem. In fact a large amount of grad students in US universities are not even Permanent Residents, but rather "non-resident alien" F-1 visa holders, and are still eligible to get grants/scholarships.

Depending on the school, but most schools require you to be a PR to qualify for financial aid.

[Dr_LHA 3]

Depending on the school, but most schools require you to be a PR to qualify for financial aid.

I didn't say financial aid did I? together2love were asking about scholarships/grants for going to grad school. As I pointed out, many foriegn students attend grad school and get grants/scholarships no problem. I personally know several non-LPR grad students who have scholarships to go to grad school, and know many foriegn PhD students here who are having their fees paid by the school.

Edited April 12, 2007 by Dr_LHA

[~ Karima ~ 0]

Depending on the school, but most schools require you to be a PR to qualify for financial aid.

I didn't say financial aid did I? together2love were asking about scholarships/grants for going to grad school. As I pointed out, many foriegn students attend grad school and get grants/scholarships no problem. I personally know several non-LPR grad students who have scholarships to go to grad school, and know many foriegn PhD students here who are having their fees paid by the school.

Both types are still considered "financial aid". It also depends what type of grant/scholarship you are requesting. Federally funded scholarships require you to be a US Citizen or a LPR. Most grants require you to be a US Citizen or eligible non-citizen.

citizen/eligible non-citizen

To be eligible for federal student aid, the borrower must be a: 1) U.S. citizen; 2) U.S. national (including natives of American Samoa or Swain's Island); or, 3) U.S. permanent resident (who has an I-151, I-551, or I-551C (Alien Registration Card). If not in one of these categories, the borrower must have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service showing one of the following designations in order to be eligible: "Refugee," "Asylum Granted," "Indefinite Parole" and/or "Humanitarian Parole," or "Cuban-Haitian Entrant, Status Pending." If the borrower has only a Notice of Approval to Apply for Permanent Residence (I-171 or I-464), the borrower is not eligible for federal student aid. If the borrower is in the U.S. on an F1or F2 student visa only, or on a J1 or J2 exchange visitor visa only, or with a G series visa, then the borrower is not eligible for federal student aid.

eligible non-citizen

Someone who is not a U.S. citizen but is nevertheless eligible for federal student aid. Eligible non-citizens include U.S. permanent residents who are holders of valid green cards, U.S. nationals, holders of form I-94 who have been granted refugee or asylum status, and certain other non-citizens. Non-citizens who hold student visas or exchange visitor visas are not eligible for federal student aid. See also Citizen/Eligible Non-Citizen.

financial aid

Financial assistance in the form of scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans for education.

Edited April 12, 2007 by carshel

[Dr_LHA 3]

Both types are still considered "financial aid".

No they are not. Financial Aid means getting undergraduate student loans/grants from FAFSA. For grad school you don't get Financial Aid, most often you are paid either through scholarship (most often from a third party, not the federal government), by being a TA, or by working for a research group who pays your fees. None of these options is "Federal" aid.

It also depends what type of grant/scholarship you are requesting. Federally funded scholarships require you to be a US Citizen or a LPR.

I guess if you're paid by a Federal Scholarship to go to grad school then maybe. I personally don't know a single example of anyone who is at grad school and gets a Federal scholarships. Can you point me to an example of such a scholarship?

[~ Karima ~ 0]

No they are not. Financial Aid means getting undergraduate student loans/grants from FAFSA. For grad school you don't get Financial Aid, most often you are paid either through scholarship (most often from a third party, not the federal government), by being a TA, or by working for a research group who pays your fees. None of these options is "Federal" aid.

Not necessarily, graduate students can obtain financial aid.

"Federal student aid accounts for the largest percentage of aid received by graduate and professional students."

Federal Student Aid Programs

I guess if you're paid by a Federal Scholarship to go to grad school then maybe. I personally don't know a single example of anyone who is at grad school and gets a Federal scholarships. Can you point me to an example of such a scholarship?

For tips on where to look for additional funds

[Dr_LHA 3]

Not necessarily, graduate students can obtain financial aid.

"Federal student aid accounts for the largest percentage of aid received by graduate and professional students."

Federal Student Aid Programs

All of grad students I know pay for their graduate education through Teaching Assistantships or through scholarships from third parties (e.g. donors, companies). Neither of these is restricted to US Citizens or LPRs. Maybe in certain fields Federal Aid is more common? I would guess becoming a teacher for example?

US Universities grad school programs are filled with foriegn students, and I know probably about 10-15 people who have done their PhDs and Masters this way. None of them got loans or were required to pay to go to grad school. Federal Aid is a big deal when you are an Undergraduate, but almost unheard of at Graduate level.

My main point is that people should not be put off applying for grad school because they think they will have to pay huge fees an get no financial support if they are not US Citizens. It is simply not true.

[~ Karima ~ 0]

My main point is that people should not be put off applying for grad school because they think they will have to pay huge fees an get no financial support if they are not US Citizens. It is simply not true.

I agree no one should put off applying and I never said it was limited to US Citizens only. There are ways to get help other than just scholarships to TA programs. There are so many options out there. Just some are limited per their requirements.

I'm really not trying to argue, but there were some who were referring to undergraduate studies, not just graduate. I think the most important thing is to first check with the school intended to see what is available and/or recommend.

[jw07 0]

Thanks everyone for the information.I knew when posting that it would be a matter of contacting the school,but i thought i'd put it out there on here to see if anyone knows first hand about this.I'm in Illinois,and plan to attend a 2 year community college,mainly because i can't afford anything else.Even though i should be going to a bigger,better school because i'll be studying music (and the college i plan to attend really has ####### for a music program) my parent's can't help me financially,and as far as i know i can't apply for loans here until after i have PR and have established credit? I really don't know.

[~ Karima ~ 0]

as far as i know i can't apply for loans here until after i have PR and have established credit?

That is correct.

[Dr_LHA 3]

I'm really not trying to argue, but there were some who were referring to undergraduate studies, not just graduate. I think the most important thing is to first check with the school intended to see what is available and/or recommend.

Agreed. For all questions regarding going to school, the school should be the first point of contact, not here!

[athena_ny 1]

Thanks everyone for the information.I knew when posting that it would be a matter of contacting the school,but i thought i'd put it out there on here to see if anyone knows first hand about this.I'm in Illinois,and plan to attend a 2 year community college,mainly because i can't afford anything else.Even though i should be going to a bigger,better school because i'll be studying music (and the college i plan to attend really has ####### for a music program) my parent's can't help me financially,and as far as i know i can't apply for loans here until after i have PR and have established credit? I really don't know.

There are federal loans that are almost guaranteed, having credit helps but isn't a huge deal. I have minimal credit because of my age, and was offered the Stafford, etc. I am a USC, but I think the fin aid process is similar for LPRs.

As far as applying for private loans, yes you need credit.