Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Can foreign or international students earn the FSEOG?

The FSEOG is a type of educational funding program provided by the United States government. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is managed by the United States Department of Education, and is usually awarded to students with exceptional financial need. However, because the program is generally only open to US citizens, most foreign or international students will not qualify for the FSEOG.
All types of federal educational funding are supported by American tax dollars, which means that in most cases federal money is only available to US citizens. In fact, all of the programs are available by filling out one form- the FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. While this form is generally only for US students, many foreign students are encouraged to fill it out, as schools often have internal programs that are similar to the FSEOG. In order to find out, an international student should check with financial aid officials at the prospective school or university.
In some cases, foreign students that have social security numbers may be able to qualify for limited types of aid on available on the FAFSA, although this usually does not include the FSEOG. In some cases, foreign students in certain fields may be able to qualify for other federal grants such as the Pell grant, in exchange for teaching in the United States in a school that serves low income families. This agreement is usually for 4-5 years, and serious consequences may result if the student does not follow through on their commitment.
If you are a foreign student seeking educational funding aid in the United States, you should check with a school official before applying via the FAFSA. Additionally, a foreign student’s home country may have programs available that are similar to the FSEOG and can be applied toward education at and American educational institution.

No comments: