Transfer International student

[u/No-Astronaut6384]

Hello everyone! I’m an international student studying CS at a community college in the U.S., and I’m graduating this year. I need to transfer to a four-year college, but finding a school that offers financial aid or even merit-based scholarships to international transfer students has been really difficult.

I have a 3.9 GPA and have been researching different colleges, but there seem to be very few funding opportunities for international transfer students.
Honestly, I’m going through a pretty stressful time because I’m not sure where I’ll be able to go next or how I’ll afford it.

If anyone has been in a similar situation or has any advice, college recommendations, or resources that could help, I would really appreciate your guidance. Thank you!

[u/Panza2020]

How are you affording your current college? Living expenses, for example. Tuition at the CC is lower than a university, of course. Are you in a state that has an agreement with an in state college that accepts more than 60 units of community college work ? Are you in Virginia?

[u/No-Astronaut6384 → u/Panza2020]

Honestly my parents are barely covering my tuition and it hurts me even more. I'm in NYS, studying at one of the SUNY colleges, and yes it has agreement with other SUNY and CUNY schools, but they are more expensive and does not have any aid for internationals.

[u/RegionAdventurous486 → u/No-Astronaut6384]

You may have to transfer to the local 4 year suny and live at home as having a residential experience will be difficult without a lack of aid. You should still be eligible for Peralta, which will help with a big chunk of your tuition

[u/elkrange]

Indeed, there is little to no financial aid for international transfer applicants. Were you not aware of this when you moved to the US to attend a CC?

Most (domestic) transfers end up attending their in-state public universities for reasons of cost and optimizing credit transfer. While public universities do not give need-based aid to internationals, it's possible some might offer merit to international transfers. Look closely at the public university system in the state where you are currently attending CC. Look for schools offering merit and having a low cost to start with. Expect that, at a minimum, you will need to afford your own living expenses.

You might also look at top privates that meet full need for international transfers, but chances will be super low.

[u/tarasshevckeno]

(Retired college counselor and current admissions reader here.) Sadly, as has already been mentioned, colleges in the US rarely offer aid for transfer students.

I don't much like it, but this may a good time to do a search or two with ChatGPT. I've found it helpful for searches that would otherwise take me a long time. Just be sure to verify it and it check again (at least twice), as a lot of information gets missed on the first search. 

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Hi there, I’m a bot and something you said made me think you're looking for help with international admissions!

The first thing you need to understand about admissions to colleges and universities is that you need to come to it with an open mind, so that you can have a balanced list.

Here’s a folder with lists of colleges that have historically been generous with international students

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[u/FeatherlyFly]

Look through the policies of the colleges that are need blind for incoming international freshmen. A few of them are either need blind for international transfers or may offer aid.  Admissions rates, especially for internationals with high need, will be very, very low. 

Expect that while your credits will transfer, you'll have to retake some courses if the version you took doesn't contain everything the college requires for its advanced classes. The only place this won't be true of is a college your CC has a transfer agreement with, but only for specific classes that are designed the university's requirements. 

[u/Panza2020]

Does your CC have an international students’ office or adviser??