100% Scholarships for International Students | Ep. 0 Road to Success Series

Summary

In this educational video, Salone, a Harvard researcher and Cornell graduate, offers comprehensive advice for students seeking scholarships and financial aid for undergraduate and graduate studies in the US. She outlines the importance of applying for aid concurrently with college applications, explaining the distinctions between merit-based scholarships, which focus on academic performance, and need-based financial aid, requiring a CSS profile. Salone emphasizes the rarity of full scholarships, suggesting a combination of merit and need-based aid for full coverage. She also addresses the challenges for Master's students, recommending cheaper colleges or thesis-based programs for financial relief, and highlights that all PhD programs in the US are fully funded. The video concludes with an application-based mentorship opportunity for fall 2025 applicants and a light-hearted question about favorite Indian street food.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Applying for scholarships and financial aid should coincide with the college application process, not after acceptance.
• 🏫 For undergraduates, merit-based scholarships are awarded based on academic performance like high school grades and standardized test scores, not language proficiency or extracurriculars.
• 💼 Merit-based scholarships are often renewable annually if the student maintains good grades, but they rarely cover 100% of costs.
• 📊 Need-based financial aid requires a separate CSS profile application and is considered by the financial aid office based on the student's family income and expenses.
• 🚫 International students often overlook that most top-tier universities are 'need-aware,' which can affect their admission chances if they apply for financial aid.
• 💰 A full scholarship is typically a combination of merit-based and need-based aid, with rare instances of full coverage from a single source.
• 📚 For master's programs, especially industry-based ones, financial aid is scarce, with some exceptions like NYU and Dartmouth offering limited support.
• 🧑‍🔬 PhD programs in the US are fully funded, covering tuition and providing a stipend, often without requiring a prior master's degree.
• 🔬 Research assistantships and teaching assistantships can provide stipends for master's students, but they are competitive and not guaranteed.
• 💼 On-campus jobs offer part-time work opportunities for international students, but they are often low-paying and not academically related.

Q & A

What are the two types of scholarships international students are eligible for in US universities?

International students are eligible for Merit-based scholarships and need-based financial aid.

When should students apply for scholarships and financial aid in relation to their college application?

Students should apply for scholarships and financial aid at the time of their college application, not afterwards.

What factors are considered for merit-based scholarships?

Merit-based scholarships consider academic aptitude and performance, such as high school scores, AP, SAT, and ACT scores. Language proficiency and extracurricular activities are less important.

How are merit-based scholarships typically communicated to students?

Merit-based scholarships are usually communicated in the acceptance letter, which may mention terms like 'merit scholarship,' 'presidential scholarship,' or 'founder scholarship.'

What is the CSS Profile and why is it important for international students?

The CSS Profile is a separate application that accounts for a student's family income to determine need-based financial aid. It's important because it's often overlooked and not highlighted by universities.

How does the need-blind and need-aware policy affect international students applying for financial aid?

Need-blind universities don't consider financial aid requests when making admission decisions, while need-aware universities might view the request for financial aid when deciding admissions, potentially affecting the chances of acceptance.

What is the general financial aid situation for international students applying to Master's programs in the US?

Most Master's programs in the US do not provide financial aid to international students, with very few exceptions.

Are there any options for Master's students to receive financial support in the US?

Options for Master's students include attending cheaper colleges, pursuing thesis-based Master's programs that offer research assistantships, or applying for teaching assistantships (TA) and on-campus jobs after arrival.

What is the financial aid situation for PhD applicants in the US?

All PhD programs in the US are fully funded, meaning there should be no tuition fees, and students receive a stipend in return for their work.

What is the Road to Success mentorship and how does it help students applying to US universities?

The Road to Success mentorship is an application-based program where selected students work for a month on all parts of the application process, including shortlisting colleges, essays, activities, resumés, and financial aid.