- Does ISSS have any financial aid or scholarships for international students?
Our office has a limited amount of scholarships for international students on F-1 or J-1 student visas. The financial aid program can only help support educational expenses such as the cost of tuition, mandatory student fees, health insurance, sometimes books and other supplies. Our financial aid program is need-based, which means that it is targeted to help students who are in the final stages of their degree programs and who are experiencing unexpected financial hardship. For more information see the general information page and who can apply for financial aid.
- What is the difference between financial aid and scholarships?
ISSS uses the terms financial aid and scholarships synonymously. ISSS financial aid is need-based rather than merit-based; academic performance is only one of various funding criteria. Financial aid awards do not have to be paid back.
- Who can apply for financial aid?
In order to be eligible to apply for financial aid, you must be on an F-1 or J-1 student visa. You must have held that visa status for one year and you must have attended the University of Minnesota for at least one academic year. You must be enrolled in a degree program and must be in the final stages of that degree program. You must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 if you are an undergraduate student and 3.0 if you are a graduate or professional school student. You cannot apply for financial aid if you have already received financial aid for one degree and are beginning a second degree program at the University of Minnesota. You are also not eligible to apply if you are not an F-1 or J-1 student visa holder or if your spouse or parent is a permanent resident or citizen of the U.S. or if your spouse or parent hold an H-1 visa. For the complete list you can visit the Eligibility Criteria .
- I want to attend the University of Minnesota. Can I receive financial aid?
The ISSS financial aid program does not fund first-year students. When you are admitted, the University assumes that you have the financial resources to cover your educational and living expenses. You may consider delaying your admission in order to raise the necessary funds. The financial aid program is designed to help students graduate who are in the final stages of their degree program and who are experiencing unexpected financial hardship.
- Can I appeal a decision regarding my financial aid application?
If your application for financial aid has been denied, or if your award has been withdrawn or reduced, you can request that the decision be reconsidered by the financial aid appeals committee. The financial aid adviser can give you an appeals form and will explain the process to you. You need to provide new or additional information to support your case. All decisions made by the appeals committee are final and cannot be appealed.
The status of your appeal cannot be discussed on the phone or by email. You will be notified of the decision by mail within one week of the ISSS Appeals Committee meeting. Decisions made during the primary awarding period after the June 1st deadline are not reviewed by the committee until after the beginning of fall semester.
- Are there any loans for international students?
The following web sites provide information about loans for international students.
DISCLAMER: This information is provided without implying any responsibility or endorsement by ISSS.
http://www.iefa.org/
http://www.edupass.org/finaid/
http://onestop.umn.edu/onestop/Financial_Aid/aidtypes/loans/programs/self.html
- How do I demonstrate financial need?
When you complete the International Student Financial Aid application, you will find a form called "Verification of Source of Funding" that is included in the packet. Send this form to the source of funding indicated on your I-20 or DS-2019 when you first entered the University of Minnesota. If you have more than one source of funding listed on your documents, i.e. assistantship, funds from relatives or friends and personal funds, a separate form needs to be completed by each funding source.
- Do I have to be employed?
The ISSS financial aid program has limited funds and cannot support any ongoing living expenses such as rent, food, clothing, etc. If the amount of financial support you receive has decreased, you should make sure you can cover the cost of your housing and living expenses. Therefore we require that international students who are applying for financial aid from our office are employed either on campus or off-campus. In extraordinary circumstances we can make an exception to this policy. You should discuss your situation with a financial aid adviser then.
Please keep in mind that you cannot work off-campus unless you have received work authorization from ISSS or the immigration service.
- How do I find a job?
For on campus employment you can check the following web sites:
Keep in mind that international students are ineligible to apply for any type of work-study position.
Before pursuing any off-campus employment you must consult with an F-1 adviser.
- I am a graduate student and my department cannot give me an assistantship. What should I do?
You have several options. You can look for assistantships in other departments. Also, you can pursue regular student employment which can help you cover your living expenses. You can also consult with an ISSS adviser regarding off-campus employment authorization. If you are still taking classes required for your degree program, you may apply for financial aid from ISSS. This can help cover the cost of tuition and/or possibly mandatory fees and insurance depending on the individual case.
If you have had an assistantship of 25% time or greater for at least one academic year in the past, you can contact the Graduate Assistant Office in the Donhowe Building (across from the Dinkydome on 15th Ave S.E.) and apply for the extended tuition benefit. Then you will be charged the resident rate for your tuition.
- Do I have to repay the financial aid from ISSS?
No, once you are awarded you do not have to repay the financial aid. Only in extraordinary circumstances have students had to repay their financial aid. This would be the case if you were awarded and it was discovered that you filed a fraudulent financial aid application.
- I have a 4.0 GPA. Am I entitled to receive a scholarship from ISSS?
Congratulations on your achievements at the university. You may check with your college office or academic department if there are any merit based scholarships available for which you can apply. The financial aid program in ISSS is primarily need-based. Academic performance is only one criterion among others that is considered when making a decision. You may want to consider applying for the Colonial Dames Scholarship. This is a prestigious award which is merit based and given to students who are demonstrating a commitment to their home country development. The application deadlines are changing each semester; you should check with a financial aid adviser or watch for information on the weekly ListServ.
Also, please keep in mind that any financial aid awards from ISSS are benefits and not entitlements.
- I am an undergraduate and my GPA is below 2.5. Does this mean I cannot apply for financial aid?
You should certainly discuss your concerns and your situation with a financial aid adviser. Decisions about financial aid applications are be made on a case by case basis and individual circumstances are taken into account whenever possible.
- I am a graduate student and my GPA is below 3.0. Does this mean I cannot apply for financial aid?
You should certainly discuss your concerns and your situation with a financial aid adviser. Decisions about financial aid applications are made on a case by case basis and individual circumstances are taken into account whenever possible.
- When is the financial aid application deadline? What happens if I miss the deadline?
The application deadline for the 2006-07 funding year is June 1, 2006. If you miss the deadline, ISSS will accept your application until funds are exhausted. The longer you wait to apply, the greater your risk of not being awarded.
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