Do international students on an F-1 visa face any particular obstacles when applying for financial aid?
International students have to come up with documentation showing that they have financial support from their family or from a sponsor of some sort in order for the University to issue an I-20. If we offer a scholarship, students can include the aid we’re providing as part of their financial aid statement, but they still have to show that they have sufficient remaining funds. There are loans that are offered through U.S. sources to international students who have a U.S. cosigner or a U.S. sponsor, but in most cases loan options for international students are quite limited. Our assistantships are also a source of support and an option for both international and domestic students. Depending on their various needs at any given time, departmental offices and professors hire graduate assistants. Teaching assistant positions may provide some tuition benefits as well as a stipend. It is unusual, however, for international students to receive graduate assistantship offers before arrival in the
