Applying to US Colleges as an Expat

While expat students are not considered international, there are a few additional factors to take into consideration as you apply. Below are a few tips to help you submit successful applications as an expat.

High School Curriculum and Grades

If you attend a non-American school, you need to be sure that the college understands your grading scale and curriculum. If your transcripts are not in English, you will need an English translation from a reputable or official translator (requirements vary by school). It is recommended to include a key to the grading scale with your translation. Typically, admissions offices have staff which are familiar with the various international curricula, but even if they aren’t, most will review the student’s application holistically without full grade and course conversions.

Your high school counselor or another school official can also prepare a school profile which is a great resource to provide colleges with an overview of the school. It typically includes information about the curriculum, graduation requirements, exams, grading system, demographics and class sizes, and any other important information that would help give general context of the school. This profile can be shared with all colleges the student applies to and should be written in English.

Proof of English Proficiency

Even if a student has a US passport, if English is not their native language or the language of the school they have attended, they will need to provide proof of proficiency. These requirements vary by college, but typically one of the standard tests such as TOEFL, Duolingo, or IELTS will be necessary. Students should familiarize themselves with the format of the test and do a bit of practice even if they are proficient in English. Luckily, these tests can be taken online at home. Although it may seem unnecessary, some schools require an English proficienty test even from expats attending English speaking schools. It is best to plan on taking one of the tests well before you apply to avoid last minute surprises!

Testing

Although testing is currently optional for admission to many colleges, getting a good score can still help you and give colleges another way to evaluate you, especially if you are attending a high school with a curriculum less familiar to them. Many international high schools offer the PSAT and SAT and/or ACT. If you attend a school which does not offer the tests or dates which fit your schedule, you will need to look elsewhere. This will take planning ahead as the locations and test dates vary and you should register for your spot early. Search the College Board website for upcoming SAT dates and locations near you and the ACT website for ACT dates and locations. Note that the ACT is only offered digitally at international testing locations while it is still available in paper format in the US. The SAT has gone digital everywhere.

Timeline

It is important for students to begin their application process early. In contrast to many colleges abroad, US colleges have application deadlines as early as November of the student’s senior year. Students should take the time to familiarize themselves with the requirements for each of the schools they are interested in applying to well before then. Also, students who will need standardized testing should plan well in advance to give themselves time to register for the tests, prepare well and possibly retake them. Visiting colleges in the US from abroad may not be possible during the school year, so families should plan these in to their summer and longer breaks if possible. The college planning process should really begin by 10th grade at the latest so that students have time to explore their options and prepare well.  

Check out the other posts in our expat series for more tips regarding financial aid and application status for American expats applying to US colleges.

In-State Tuition and Financial Aid for Expats

Can expat students get in-state tuition and other financial aid?

Unfortunately, expats are generally not eligible for in-state tuition as this is tied to where the student and their parents have resided in the time leading up to the college application. While you may have spent time living in the US before, you are not eligible for in-state tuition in most states unless you have lived in that state for at least 12 months before applying to college. Also, living in the state later does not change your eligibility after starting college.

If you are living abroad due to a parent’s military service,  it may be possible to get in-state tuition if they are only abroad for their service and still have domicile in that particular state. This is very dependent on the state and situation, so it is best to discuss it with the colleges you are considering beforehand.

Financial Aid for Expat Students

The good news is, unlike international students, American expats are eligible for federal financial aid and much more institutional aid at colleges in the US. Pay attention to financial aid and scholarship deadlines announced by each college of interest and follow all instructions to apply.

In order to apply for federal aid, you must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) each year. This is the application you would use to qualify for potential Pell Grants, Subsidized and Unsubsidized student loans, Direct PLUS loans and Work Study. This application is usually submitted starting in October of the student’s senior year. All US citizens (and some non-citizens) are eligible to apply for federal aid regardless of where they reside. Pay attention to documents required to complete the form and note that all entries must be converted to U.S. Dollars using the exchange rate published by the Federal Reserve.

Some schools (many private colleges) also require the CSS Profile to determine institutional aid awards which are given by the school directly and do not need to be repaid. All students, regardless of citizenship, may be required to complete this form to be eligible for institutional aid. This form automatically converts entries into USD, so you are able to enter the amounts in your local currency if needed.

Familiarize yourself with both the CSS Profile and FAFSA and gather the documents needed to complete them early. Check the instructions to apply for financial aid, both need and merit based, at each of your colleges before you even submit your application for admission. Deadlines for some scholarships may be very early and you don’t want to miss out!

Check out our other blog posts in our American expat series for more tips!

Are Expats Considered International Students?

Not a simple answer

There is no simple answer as you are considered a citizen but often read as international. At most colleges, your application will be read by the international admission team as they as they are responsible for your region and often more familiar with the school curricula and other aspects related to student life in that area. It makes sense that your application would be read in the context of where you are attending school. You would be compared more to the students in your region. However, when it comes down to choosing an expat vs a true international student, you often have the advantage as you are eligible for federal aid and do not have the burden of providing proof of finances.

Although you are not an ‘international student’, you have the benefit of the international experience and hopefully language skills you have gained while living outside of the US. These are great assets to highlight in your applications. How has your international experience shaped you? What can you bring from this to your future campus? I help guide my students to focus on and add activities to their resume which will enhance their application and demonstrate their uniqueness. We also find creative ways to include these international experiences in their essays.   

Our next post in our expat series focuses on how to apply for financial aid as a US expat.