Secondary fee waivers as an international student

[Halcyon32]

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Every school that I look up says that they only give fee waivers on their secondaries if one is eligible for FAP. However, I'm an international student and am automatically ineligible even though I meet the actual financial requirements to receive FAP. Would schools take this into consideration if I emailed them and explained my situation? Or is it totally impossible? These costs will break me!

 

[efle]

These costs will break me!

My understanding is that most schools require internationals to have tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars already sitting in the bank before they can attend. Is the source of $ you'd be using for that, not able to cover a few hundred now for app fees?

 

[NeedACar]

Replying here, agreeing with efle.

Two of my schools wanted me to have ~200,000 US put away in an escrow account (not loans) before I could matriculate!

 

[Halcyon32]

My understanding is that most schools require internationals to have tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars already sitting in the bank before they can attend. Is the source of $ you'd be using for that, not able to cover a few hundred now for app fees?

Replying here, agreeing with efle.

Two of my schools wanted me to have ~200,000 US put away in an escrow account (not loans) before I could matriculate!

Oh, right. Meant to mention this in the OP but it slipped my mind. My tuition and living expenses are covered by a gov. agency so they can provide those schools that require exorbitant amounts of money with financial guarantees. They don't however cover application costs 🙁

 

[efle]

Oh, right. Meant to mention this in the OP but it slipped my mind. My tuition and living expenses are covered by a gov. agency so they can provide those schools that require exorbitant amounts of money with financial guarantees. They don't however cover application costs 🙁

Can you increase your student loans, if you're going to be a senior? Or even use credit cards?

 

[Halcyon32]

Can you increase your student loans, if you're going to be a senior? Or even use credit cards?

International students aren't eligible for loans (hence, why they need to have tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars sitting in the bank, to prove that they can pay for tuition). And I have no clue about credit cards or how I would even go about doing that, but I feel like it would be a similar scenario of ineligibility given that I don't have a proper social security.

That's why I'm interested if anyone has had success just cold emailing schools with situations like mine, or just any advice on how to get a fee waiver from schools.

 

[efle]

International students aren't eligible for loans (hence, why they need to have tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars sitting in the bank, to prove that they can pay for tuition). And I have no clue about credit cards or how I would even go about doing that, but I feel like it would be a similar scenario of ineligibility given that I don't have a proper social security.

That's why I'm interested if anyone has had success just cold emailing schools with situations like mine, or just any advice on how to get a fee waiver from schools.

What's been paying for your undergrad?

Is it possible to work full time for June/July/August and save up enough, before Senior year starts again?

 

[Halcyon32]

What's been paying for your undergrad?

Is it possible to work full time for June/July/August and save up enough, before Senior year starts again?

That same scholarship is paying for my undergrad and unfortunately, I don't think I can work full time this summer. And even if I managed to find a job, wouldn't I need to pay the schools around July, when the secondaries are sent out (as I plan on applying as soon as primaries are open for submission)?

 

[efle]

That same scholarship is paying for my undergrad and unfortunately, I don't think I can work full time this summer. And even if I managed to find a job, wouldn't I need to pay the schools around July, when the secondaries are sent out (as I plan on applying as soon as primaries are open for submission)?

You can just pre-write secondaries throughout June/most of July, and delay submitting a little bit. Being complete in mid or late August is still totally fine/normal timing. But it's a moot point if you can't work during the summer.

Is a gap year out of the question?

 

[Halcyon32]

You can write the schools and ask but most US schools rely on AMCAS FAP determination make that decision for themselves. However, if you dont ask, they cant say yes

Thanks a lot! What do you think is the best way to go about wording it? Just straight up tell them I'm an international student and am automatically ineligible for FAP even though I would otherwise be eligible for it? And then explain the scholarship situation to assure them I can pay for tuition when it comes to that?

 

[Halcyon32]

You can just pre-write secondaries throughout June/most of July, and delay submitting a little bit. Being complete in mid or late August is still totally fine/normal timing. But it's a moot point if you can't work during the summer.

Is a gap year out of the question?

Yes, a gap year would put me at risk of losing the scholarship.

 

[efle]

Yes, a gap year would put me at risk of losing the scholarship.

Some kind of private loans is really the only thing I can think of then if schools won't waive the fee. I believe you can still get certain credit cards as an international?

 

[Halcyon32]

Some kind of private loans is really the only thing I can think of then if schools won't waive the fee. I believe you can still get certain credit cards as an international?

Ok, I'll look into the credit cards, then. Could be a good idea. I appreciate you trying so hard to help haha it's very kind of you! 😀

 

[Halcyon32]

So, I'm going to email schools soon to see if they'll go for the fee waiver. Should I do that now before I receive the secondary or after? Would it be inappropriate if I added a pic of my bank statement showing how little money I have in my account (blurring all other sensitive info, of course)

 

[efle]

So, I'm going to email schools soon to see if they'll go for the fee waiver. Should I do that now before I receive the secondary or after? Would it be inappropriate if I added a pic of my bank statement showing how little money I have in my account (blurring all other sensitive info, of course)

I mean, that's not much in the way of proof, since you could have a different account with seven figures in it for all they know. I would phrase the email as a question - is there any fee assistance for the secondary available to people that did not use FAP, and if so, what documentation do they usually provide - and see what they respond.

 

[Halcyon32]

I mean, that's not much in the way of proof, since you could have a different account with seven figures in it for all they know. I would phrase the email as a question - is there any fee assistance for the secondary available to people that did not use FAP, and if so, what documentation do they usually provide - and see what they respond.

Good idea, I'll do that. I feel like I remember reading some guy did what I said with the bank statement and got some fee waivers which is why I asked but I had the same preoccupation as you. Thank you!

 

[Halcyon32]

I'm a relatively high stats applicant (LM ~75). Do you guys think I should mention my MCAT and GPA in the emails as a sort of proof that I have a reasonable chance at a given school and they wouldn't just be wasting a fee waiver?

Also, which department should this email be directed to? Financial aid?

 

[efle]

Well if they have you primary already sent to them, you could just include (AMCAS ID: XXXX) in the email, they can look you up from that if they wanted to see if you were a high-priority applicant?

And I'd probably direct it to the main admissions office, they might redirect you to a financial aid or diversity office person from there

 

[Halcyon32]

Well if they have you primary already sent to them, you could just include (AMCAS ID: XXXX) in the email, they can look you up from that if they wanted to see if you were a high-priority applicant?

And I'd probably direct it to the main admissions office, they might redirect you to a financial aid or diversity office person from there

Do you think sending such an email would hurt me in any way? Like making me seem entitled or anything?

 

[UBLI-EINSTEIN]

Do you think sending such an email would hurt me in any way? Like making me seem entitled or anything?

Do you have a green card? If no, then you are not eligible basically any kind of service available for US citizens.
You can send a email, but if they know you have financial difficulty, they may reject you sooner or later.
One big obstacle for international students applying the medical school was financial difficulty.
Many schools are tired to accept students who are not going to matriculate, so they won't waste a seat of acceptance for you.

Again, sending an email will not hurt you. However, you need to realize if you have financial difficulty, you are basically not able to attend school even if they accepted you.

Edit: forget this reply. I didn't read the thread carefully enough. Sorry about that.

 

[Halcyon32]

Do you have a green card? If no, then you are not eligible basically any kind of service available for US citizens.
You can send a email, but if they know you have financial difficulty, they may reject you sooner or later.
One big obstacle for international students applying the medical school was financial difficulty.
Many schools are tired to accept students who are not going to matriculate, so they won't waste a seat of acceptance for you.

Again, sending an email will not hurt you. However, you need to realize if you have financial difficulty, you are basically not able to attend school even if they accepted you.

I dont have a green card.

And I mentioned earlier in this thread that while it's difficult for me to pay for the application fees, I am part of a scholarship program that will cover my medical school tuition. So, in the email, I will reassure them that I can pay for tuition, it's just the application costs that are a problem. Hopefully that will assuage any concerns!

 

[efle]

I dont have a green card.

And I mentioned earlier in this thread that while it's difficult for me to pay for the application fees, I am part of a scholarship program that will cover my medical school tuition. So, in the email, I will reassure them that I can pay for tuition, it's just the application costs that are a problem. Hopefully that will assuage any concerns!

Edit: Nevermind this was already answered above.

It's crazy that your government will give a full ride to med school but has no process to help people apply.

 

[efle]

Do you think sending such an email would hurt me in any way? Like making me seem entitled or anything?

Do you mean an email asking about assistance? Or an email where you state your MCAT score? I'd avoid doing the latter, but asking if any applicants have gotten secondary assistance despite being ineligible for FAP, that I think is fine.

 

[Halcyon32]

Edit: Nevermind this was already answered above.

It's crazy that your government will give a full ride to med school but has no process to help people apply.

Yep, I agree with you. I suppose I can't be too greedy.

Do you mean an email asking about assistance? Or an email where you state your MCAT score? I'd avoid doing the latter, but asking if any applicants have gotten secondary assistance despite being ineligible for FAP, that I think is fine.

I meant an email asking about secondary fee waiver. I won't include my MCAT or GPA, I like your idea about just giving them my AMCAS ID. Thank you!