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"
