While international students across the country are vying for financial aid policies that do not discriminate on a need basis, the University continues to improve its own policy, which has been need-blind for two years.
On Tuesday, a faculty committee will make public whether the University will consider funding a second round-trip flight home for Class of 2007 international students on aid, said Don Betterton, financial aid director.
Most current undergraduate students said they had been content even with one plane ticket, rather than the two that American students receive.
"I've only heard people say they were surprised the University would pay for one round trip," said Nikki Vogg '05, a native of Germany. "It makes sense that U.S. students would get more."
For Siim Sikkut '05, that would mean roughly an additional $600 to fly to Estonia and back, and for Srivas Prasad '05, it means a $1,600 round-trip ticket to India.
Going need-blind
In 2001, the University became the fourth university in the country to admit international students on a need-blind basis.
While the majority of American schools have yet to implement a similar policy, the University administers aid to foreign students using exactly the same criteria used for U.S. students.
"We treat international students like U.S. students, and that's the key," Betterton said.
Only four other colleges in America decide the amount of aid granted to international students and U.S. residents using equal standards.
Because all aid is given on a need basis, a policy of equal determination means that many international students are eligible for more money than an average U.S. candidate because of foreign exchange rates and lower living standards in less affluent nations.
The promise of equal aid often persuades students to choose the University over other U.S. colleges, said Sikkut, whose own decision to attend was affected by the University's generous and accessible financial aid program.
"If you consider some other countries with a lower standard . . . we'd show a greater need for the financial aid," Sikkut said.
Scholarships scarce
He also noted that many international students who are not U.S. citizens are not eligible for most of the federal scholarships and grants that American students can apply to before matriculation. Even many scholarships offered on the Internet and other sources outside the University require citizenship.
Another feature of the University's aid policy that attracts foreign students is its "no loan" policy.
This policy frees students from the obligation to repay loans after graduation, Betterton said. Obtaining an education without strings of debt attached may also persuade international students to attend, he said.
"I know a few students couldn't afford to come without a full financial aid package," Vogg said. "I definitely think it makes a difference."
The University's financial aid is also unique in that it guarantees aid every year after a student has been deemed eligible.
Though the aid may vary, and students must reapply, they know that they will be receiving some support on a need basis.
This year the University allowed students to apply for financial aid over the Internet for the first time.
Web applications simplify the financial aid process drastically for students living in faraway places, Betterton said.
Matt Foulger '05 expressed satisfaction with the "hassle-free" aid that he has received from the University since enrolling last year.
"Each year we admit more international students, and I'd think financial aid has an effect on that," Betterton said.
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