Going to college can be a costly responsibility, and for international students, studying in the United States can be an even pricier endeavor. Unlike their American peers, international students typically don't qualify for federal loans to help them fund their education.

Although financial aid for international students tends to be very scarce, that doesn't mean it's nonexistent. According to school-reported data to  U.S. News, at least 776 colleges offered some amount of financial aid to undergraduate international students for the 2010-2011 school year. The average award packages ranged from several hundred dollars to tens of thousands, with the highest packages topping $50,000.

The list below includes 10 ranked schools that awarded the highest average financial aid packages to undergraduate international students for the 2010-2011 school year:

10. Colby College (ME)

Average aid awarded to international undergrads: $47,469

Number of international undergrads enrolled: 94

U.S. News rank & category: 21, National Liberal Arts Colleges

 

9. Vassar College (NY)

Average aid awarded to international undergrads: $47,623

Number of international undergrads enrolled: 122

U.S. News rank & category: 14, National Liberal Arts Colleges

 

8. Williams College (MA)

Average aid awarded to international undergrads: $47,713

Number of international undergrads enrolled: 128

U.S. News rank & category: 1, National Liberal Arts Colleges

 

7. University of Chicago

Average aid awarded to international undergrads: $48,436

Number of international undergrads enrolled: 63

U.S. News rank & category: 5, National Universities

 

6. Gettysburg College (PA)

Average aid awarded to international undergrads: $48,908

Number of international undergrads enrolled: 43

U.S. News rank & category: 47, National Liberal Arts Colleges

 

5. Trinity College (CT)

Average aid awarded to international undergrads: $48,999

Number of international undergrads enrolled: 119

U.S. News rank & category: 37, National Liberal Arts Colleges

 

4. Amherst College (MA)

Average aid awarded to international undergrads: $49,010

Number of international undergrads enrolled: 146

U.S. News rank & category: 2, National Liberal Arts Colleges

 

3. Skidmore College (NY)

Average aid awarded to international undergrads: $50,000

Number of international undergrads enrolled: 56

U.S. News rank & category: 49, National Liberal Arts Colleges

 

2. Wesleyan University (CT)

Average aid awarded to international undergrads: $50,743

Number of international undergrads enrolled: 84

U.S. News rank & category: 12, National Liberal Arts Colleges

 

1. Yale University (CT)

Average aid awarded to international undergrads: $51,044

Number of international undergrads enrolled: 348

U.S. News rank & category: 3, National Universities

Click here to read: "Survival Tips for International Students"