Can International Students Apply for FAFSA?

Key Takeaways

• Students on F-1 or J-1 visas are not eligible for federal student aid through the FAFSA based on those visa statuses. Federal aid is generally limited to U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens.
• Eligible noncitizens can include lawful permanent residents, refugees, people granted asylum, and certain other qualifying groups.
• International students may still qualify for institutional aid. Depending on the school, you may be asked to complete the CSS Profile, the ISFAA, or another financial aid form.
• Scholarships, assistantships, on-campus employment, and other funding sources can help international students cover the cost of studying in the U.S.

If you're researching how to pay for college in the U.S., you'll probably come across the FAFSA. So, can international students apply for FAFSA? In most cases, students on F-1 or J-1 visas are not eligible for federal student aid, but some non-U.S. citizens do qualify. Your citizenship or immigration status determines your federal aid eligibility, while your school may use other forms to award its own financial aid.

ISO was founded by international students in 1958. Since then, we've served more than 1 million international students across more than 6,700 universities, colleges, and schools nationwide.

Can International Students Apply for FAFSA?

Generally, no. Federal student aid is available to U.S. citizens and certain eligible noncitizens. Students in F-1 or J-1 status are not eligible for federal student aid based on those visa statuses, so the FAFSA will not provide them with federal grants or loans.

Some non-U.S. citizens do qualify if they meet Federal Student Aid's eligible noncitizen requirements. International students who do not qualify for federal aid may still be eligible for scholarships, grants, or other funding offered by their school.

You can still fund a U.S. degree without federal aid. In the 2024-25 school year, 19.3% of international students relied mainly on their U.S. college or university for funding, compared with 0.1% who relied mainly on the U.S. government, according to Open Doors 2025.

What Is the FAFSA, Exactly?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form students use to apply for federal financial aid in the U.S. It is free to submit, and the information you provide helps determine the aid you may be eligible to receive. Some states and schools also use FAFSA information when awarding their own financial aid.

The FAFSA can be used to apply for or help determine eligibility for:

• Grants, such as the Pell Grant, which you usually don't have to repay.
• Federal student loans, which have fixed interest rates and must be repaid.
• Federal Work-Study, which funds part-time jobs for students with financial need.
• State and school aid, since many states and colleges use FAFSA information to determine eligibility for their own grants, scholarships, or loans.

To receive federal student aid, you must meet Federal Student Aid eligibility requirements, including being a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen. Your school then uses your FAFSA information and other eligibility criteria to determine the financial aid it can offer you.

Who Counts as an Eligible Noncitizen?

You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to qualify for federal student aid. The 2026–27 Federal Student Aid Handbook lists several eligible noncitizen categories, including:

• Lawful permanent residents, including conditional permanent residents
• Refugees and people granted asylum
• Certain parolees who meet the federal eligibility requirements
• Cuban-Haitian entrants
• Certain survivors of human trafficking or abuse, including qualifying trafficking victims and people covered by provisions of the Violence Against Women Act
• Citizens of the Freely Associated States, who may qualify for Pell Grants, Federal Work-Study, and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), but not Direct Loans

Students in the U.S. on an F-1, F-2, M-1, J-1, or J-2 visa are not eligible noncitizens for federal student aid. Federal Student Aid also lists H- and L-series temporary employment visas among the ineligible categories. The length you have lived or studied in the U.S. does not change that while you remain in an ineligible status.

If your immigration status changes, your federal aid eligibility may change too. For example, an F-1 student who later becomes a lawful permanent resident may become eligible for federal student aid, provided they meet the other eligibility requirements.

When a School Still Asks You to File a Financial Aid Form

International students may still need to complete a financial aid application when applying for institutional or state aid. The form depends on the school and the type of funding available, so follow the instructions from your financial aid office.

The CSS Profile

The CSS Profile is an online application that colleges and scholarship programs use to award nonfederal institutional aid. Many participating colleges accept it from international students.

If your school requires the CSS Profile, use it to provide the financial information the school needs to assess your eligibility for its own aid. Deadlines and requirements vary by institution, so check each school's financial aid website.

The ISFAA or a School's Own Form

Some colleges use the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) or their own financial aid form for international applicants.

Howard University, for example, requires international students seeking institutional aid to complete an ISFAA. Dartmouth allows international applicants to submit an ISFAA instead of the CSS Profile when the CSS Profile fee would create serious financial hardship.

The FAFSA Itself

If your school asks you to complete the FAFSA even though you are not eligible for federal aid, check with the financial aid office before filing. Federal Student Aid notes that some students who are not U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens may still complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility for state or college aid.

Students generally need a Social Security number to create their own StudentAid.gov account, except citizens of the Freely Associated States. F-1 students may qualify for an SSN when they are authorized to work in the U.S., including eligible on-campus employment.

State Aid Programs

Some states provide aid to students who do not qualify for federal student aid. The California Dream Act, for example, serves eligible undocumented students who meet California's school-attendance rules, while nonimmigrant students, including F-1 and J-1 visa holders, don't qualify. Rules vary by state.

Whatever form your school requests, check the eligibility rules and submit it according to the financial aid office's instructions.

Financial Aid That Does Work for International Students

International students who do not qualify for federal aid may still have several ways to help fund their U.S. education. The options available depend on your school, degree level, immigration status, and the individual program or lender.

Funding option	Who may qualify	Where to look	Key eligibility note
Federal aid through FAFSA	U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens	Federal Student Aid	F-1 and J-1 students do not qualify based on those visa statuses
School scholarships and grants	International applicants or students, depending on the school	Admissions or financial aid office	Rules vary by institution
Outside scholarships	Depends on the sponsor	Scholarship provider or EducationUSA	Each award sets its own requirements
Assistantships and fellowships	Primarily graduate students	Academic department or graduate school	Availability varies by institution and program
On-campus jobs	Eligible F-1 students	School employment listings	Employment must meet F-1 on-campus work rules
Private student loans	Students who meet the lender's requirements	Private lenders	Many lenders require a qualified U.S. cosigner

• School scholarships and grants: Colleges and universities may offer merit-based or need-based funding to international students. Availability varies widely, so ask the admissions or financial aid office which awards are open to international students and when you need to apply.
• Outside scholarships: Scholarship eligibility depends on the organization offering the award. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program supports eligible international students pursuing graduate study or research in the U.S., with applications handled through Fulbright Commissions or U.S. Embassies. You can also use EducationUSA's financial aid search to find scholarships and other opportunities. Your home government or private foundations may offer more scholarship opportunities for international students.
• Assistantships and fellowships: Institutional funding for international students is more widely available at the graduate level. NAFSA notes that much of the institutional aid available to international students is reserved for graduate study through assistantships and fellowships. Teaching and research assistantships may provide financial support in exchange for work, but the amount and benefits vary by program.
• On-campus jobs: Eligible F-1 students generally have permission to work in qualifying on-campus jobs without applying separately to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for employment authorization. You should still work with your designated school official (DSO) to confirm that the position qualifies. F-1 students may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and may work full-time during authorized school breaks.
• Private student loans: Private lenders set their own eligibility requirements. Many require international students to apply with a creditworthy U.S. citizen or permanent resident cosigner, although some lenders offer options without one for students at certain schools or in eligible programs. Compare interest rates, repayment terms, eligibility requirements, and fees before borrowing.

How to Lower Your Cost of Studying in the U.S.

Your school's cost of attendance is an estimate of the expenses associated with studying there. It can include tuition and fees, housing and food, books and supplies, and transportation. Reducing some of those expenses can lower the amount you need to cover through savings or other funding.

• Work more during eligible school breaks: F-1 students may work full-time in qualifying on-campus employment during annual vacations and other school breaks when permitted under the F-1 employment rules. Planning around your academic calendar may give you an opportunity to earn more while staying within your visa requirements. You can also explore other ways to earn money as an F-1 student.
• Review your everyday expenses: Housing, food, transportation, and personal spending can add significantly to your total cost. Building a realistic budget can help you identify where you may be able to spend less. Tips on how to save money as an international student can help you get started.
• Compare health insurance options: Many U.S. schools require international students to have health insurance and may allow you to waive the school-sponsored plan if alternative coverage meets their requirements. ISO offers plans designed to meet many school waiver requirements, often at a lower price than the school plan. Check your school's criteria before purchasing or submitting a waiver.
• Keep looking for scholarships: Scholarship opportunities and eligibility requirements can change during your studies. Check with your financial aid office, academic department, and outside scholarship providers for awards available to continuing international students.

Plan Your Funding Before You Apply

The FAFSA is only one part of paying for school in the U.S. If you don't qualify for federal aid, look at institutional funding, scholarships, employment options, and other sources available to international students.

Your plan also supports your visa application, and the F-1 visa application guide covers the proof of funds you may need at your interview. As you build your budget, ISO's affordable international student insurance plans can help you meet your school's insurance requirement at a manageable cost. This week, email your school's financial aid office and ask which aid form it uses for international students.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does Filing the FAFSA Affect My Student Visa or Immigration Status?

Filing the FAFSA does not change your immigration status. However, the information you provide is used to determine financial aid eligibility. Federal Student Aid verifies citizenship information with the Social Security Administration, and eligible noncitizen information may also be checked with the Department of Homeland Security. Always answer the citizenship and immigration questions accurately.

Can International Students Get Federal Work-Study Jobs?

No. Students on F-1 or J-1 visas do not qualify for Federal Work-Study based on those visa statuses because it is a federal student aid program. F-1 students may still be eligible for regular on-campus employment under the rules that apply to their visa.

Do DACA Students Qualify for FAFSA?

DACA recipients are not eligible for federal student aid. However, Federal Student Aid notes that some undocumented students, including DACA recipients, may still complete the FAFSA if their state or school uses it to award its own aid. Check with the financial aid office before filing.

Can I Apply for FAFSA After I Get a Green Card?

Yes, if you become a lawful permanent resident and meet the other federal student aid requirements. Lawful permanent residents are eligible noncitizens for federal aid purposes. A pending application for permanent residence by itself is not enough to qualify.

Is There a Fee to Submit the FAFSA?

No, the FAFSA is free on studentaid.gov. The CSS Profile does charge a fee for each school, and College Board's automatic fee waivers cover domestic undergraduates only, though some colleges offer their own.

This article was written by ISO Customer Care. It is intended for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal, immigration, or financial advice.