FAFSA Scholarship For Indian Students

To apply for financial aid for education from the US government, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The US Department of Education oversees it and is the primary funding source for students to assist with their educational expenses. This assistance might take the form of grants, work-study opportunities, and loans that have no repayment obligations, along with the ones that have repayment obligations.

People of US origin can easily apply for the FAFSA scholarships if they fulfil specific requirements. However, this scholarship is also available for people not of US origin, such as Indian students with the authority to work in the US, people applying for citizenship, or students whose parents work in the US.

FAFSA accommodates access to a variety of financial aid options for all students who are attending college:

• Federal Grants

These are the non-repayable financial support that includes-

1. Pell Grants for undergraduate students wanting financial aid

2. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) for those with exceptional need

3. Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants for future teachers required for high-need areas.

• Work-study

It provides students needing financial assistance with part-time jobs, encouraging community service and practical work experience.

• Federal Study Loan

It needs to be paid back with interest. This loan includes-

1. Direct PLUS Loans are for graduate students or parents of undergraduates

2. Direct Unsubsidized Loans for all students

3. Direct Subsidized Loans are for undergraduates with financial need

4. Direct Consolidation Loans to consolidate federal loans into one are among the options.

• State Aid

A person's eligibility for grants, scholarships, and other forms of financial assistance by state aid is determined by their FAFSA results.

• Institutional Aid

Many institutions use the information from the FAFSA to create their own financial aid packages, which include grants and scholarships.

The US Department of Education (ED) provides federal student aid (which means students who have a Social Security number or whose parents work in the States) to assist with expenses such as tuition, room and board, textbooks, transportation, and other charges. It can also help pay for extra expenses like daycare and computer expenses.

There are several benefits to using the FAFSA to apply for grants, scholarships, and prizes for Indian students:

• Applicants for FAFSA scholarships can be of any age, with the primary criteria being financial need rather than age.

• FAFSA Scholarships recipients do not have to be intellectually gifted; prior academic success is a requirement for qualifying. However, certain universities may require a minimum GPA to be considered.

• Candidates can investigate a range of scholarship options by completing the FAFSA.

• Additionally, there are scholarships available for those who want to study overseas.

• A credit history is not necessary to apply for FAFSA loans.

• A co-signer from relatives or friends is not needed for loans obtained through the FAFSA.

• When students find work, they can repay their loans through the FAFSA.

This blog section is especially centred on the important details of the FAFSA scholarships. The section comprises the eligibility criteria, how to apply for the FAFSA scholarships, the documents required for the same and the application deadline. So, let’s get started with the necessary information-

Before submitting the application for FAFSA scholarships, Indian students who fall under the non-citizen category must fulfil the following requirements to be eligible to receive federal aid while attending US universities: 

• Students from China who possess Documentation of Birth of Citizen Abroad (form FS-240, FS-545, or DS-1350), a Certificate of Citizenship (form N-560 or N-561), or a Certificate of Naturalization (form N-550 or N-570) can apply for federal help through the FAFSA scholarship. 

• An Indian student would be qualified to apply for the FAFSA if they could provide Form I-551 evidence, Departure Record through Form I-94A, or Arrival-Departure Record Form I-94 with any of the following endorsements:  

1. Processed for I-551 

2. Holds a Temporary I-551 

3. Processed for I-551 

4. Has temporary evidence of lawful admission for Permanent Residence valid until employment is authorised or,  

5. Other valid documentation of permanent residence status  

• Proof that the student or his or her parents are in the US permanently and plan to become citizens or permanent residents, as submitted by the DHS in their application for permanent residence. The supporting papers must state that the applicants have a one-year parole period with no expiration date in the United States. 

• Documents such as I-551C, I-94, I-94A, or a passport endorsed by an MRIV can be used as interim I-551C documents proving permanent residency for a year after they are endorsed. They are valid as long as the paperwork hasn't expired. 

• Form I-94 with a stamp that reads "Section 203(a)(7)", designating the Indian citizen (parent/student) who was admitted to the country under conditions before March 31, 1980. 

• A court order from an immigration judge verifying the student's status or Form I-797. 

• FAFSA applications are accepted from parents of Indian students with work permits employed in the United States. 

• Indian students can apply for federal help through the FAFSA if they have a social security number if their parents are employed in the US, or if they have worked in the US in the past. 

Also, read: List of Fully-Funded Scholarships Without IELTS

If a student relies on their parents, who are employed in the US and have a social security number, their parents must complete the FAFSA on their behalf. Alternatively, students who are citizens of the US and have their social security number can apply for financial aid directly. To submit an FAFSA application, complete these steps: 

• Step 1

Register for an FSA ID, which functions more like a username, and create an account to access the program. 

• Step 2

Go to fafsa.gov, choose "student" or "parent," and then click "Next" after entering the necessary information. 

• Step 3

Choose the session in which the student, or someone acting on their behalf, is filling out the FAFSA. If the FAFSA was previously submitted, you can also use the renewable option to have the information from that submission moved over to the next session. 

• Step 4

Choose any US university and institution you want to apply to, regardless of whether your application has been received, submitted, or approved. 

• Step 5

Please send in your responses to questions about dependence. This area will also determine whether or not parents' information is necessary. 

• Step 6

Students must provide information about their parents in this area if they are dependents. The following groups of students will comprise those without dependents: 

1. 24 years old or above 

2. Married  

3. A graduate student 

4. Military veteran or a member from the armed forces 

5. Orphan

6. Ward of the state 

7. An uninhibited minor who is homeless or at risk of being homeless 

8. Someone who has legal dependents other than a spouse 

• Step 7

The student's parents' or family's financial information is needed for this phase. 

• Step 8

The last step is to sign and submit the FAFSA. The application would be incomplete without the student's or parent's signatures. 

NOTE: The FAFSA scholarship applications are free of charge, but parents or students may only submit them via the official website. It's also advised to follow the instructions correctly before applying. 

Also, read: Indian Government Scholarships to Study Abroad

Students of Indian origin or those whose parents are employed in the US who are submitting an FAFSA application will require the following paperwork to be completed: 

• Student’s Social Security number  

• Parents’ Social Security number if the student is dependent  

• Student’s driver’s license number, if available 

• Alien Registration number is needed if the student is not a U.S. citizen 

• Along with the following papers, federal tax information, tax paperwork, or tax returns, including IRS W-2 information, for the student (and the student's spouse, if married), or parents' information, if the student is dependant:

1. IRS Form1040 

2. Foreign tax return or IRS Form 1040-NR 

• Records of the untaxed income for the student and, if the student is a dependant, for the student's parents, including child support received, interest income, and veterans noneducation benefits. 

• Details on cash, savings account balance, investments (stocks, bonds, real estate), and other assets related to businesses or farms. 

Every year, on October 1st, applications for FAFSA scholarships are available for the upcoming school year. There are several deadlines that you should be mindful of:

• Federal deadline

The FAFSA must be submitted by June 30, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time (CT) to be considered for the 2024–2025 school year. Updates and corrections must be sent by September 14, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. CT.

• State deadline

The deadline for submitting an application for state financial aid varies by state and maybe sooner than the federal deadline. 

• Deadlines for colleges

To be eligible for institutional financial assistance, the FAFSA must be submitted by a certain date specified by the college. These dates may be before both the state and federal deadlines. 

This section talks about the differences between FAFSA and various other scholarships available for the students:

To conclude, Indian students who meet the requirements for non-citizenship in the US or who can provide proof of their US nationality or the information of a guardian can apply for the FAFSA and be able to receive grants, federal aid, or even a loan with a reduced interest rate. Please be aware that not all Indian students are qualified to apply for financial aid through the FAFSA due to the need for a social security number. As a result, Indian students should proceed cautiously while completing the FAFSA. If they are not qualified, their best alternative is to apply for other scholarships to study in the United States.

We hope you enjoyed reading the blog and gained insights into finding FAFSA Scholarships for Indian Students in 2024-25. However, if you have doubts about the same or want to study in USA, contact our expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). You can also take free online counselling through our website. Our expert counsellors will provide you with the best support and guidance you need for admission and visa. In addition, they will help you shortlist the universities according to your profile. For more information or any queries, contact application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011.

Question- Are FAFSA scholarships available only for federal student loans?

Answer- No, you cannot use the FAFSA only for student loans. Additionally, it establishes eligibility for several state and institutional scholarships, work-study programs, and federal awards. Filling out the FAFSA might help you become eligible for non-repayable financial aid, such as Pell Grants.

Question- Can filling out the FAFSA scholarships affect my chances of getting into college?

Answer- No, the FAFSA does not affect your odds of being admitted to college. It is only used to assess a person's eligibility for financial help. Colleges assess your financial assistance application differently than your admissions application.

Question- Do I need to reapply for FAFSA scholarships each year? 

Answer- Yes, to continue to be eligible for financial aid, you should submit the FAFSA every year that you attend college. The availability and conditions of help might vary from year to year, as can your financial circumstances.

Question- What is a FAFSA Scholarships?

Answer- In order to ascertain their eligibility for student financial aid, such as government grants, loans, and work-study programs, current and prospective college students in the United States must fill out the Free Application for Government Student Aid (FAFSA).

Question- Can international students apply for FAFSA?

Answer- The FAFSA is only available to US citizens and qualified non-citizens; international students are not eligible to apply. Nonetheless, schools, universities, and private organisations catering to overseas students may offer scholarships, grants, and loans. For information on particular opportunities, you are advised to speak with the financial assistance office of the college in which you are interested.

Question- What is the way to check my FAFSA status?

Answer- To check your FAFSA status:

• Online: Log in at FAFSA.gov with your FSA ID.

• Mobile App: Use the myStudentAid app and log in with your FSA ID.

• Call: Dial 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).

After submitting, wait a few days for the processing to view your Student Aid Report (SAR), which details your aid eligibility.

Question- How can a FAFSA application be saved in a pdf?

Answer- Yes, you can save your FAFSA application in a pdf with these steps:

• Access your account using the myStudentAid app or FAFSA.gov.

• Once your FAFSA is submitted, locate the Confirmation Page, which has a link to your Student Aid Report (SAR).

• Use the Print option on your browser or app to open your SAR.

• Choose "Print to PDF" or "Save as PDF" as the output.

• On your computer or other device, save the PDF.

Question- Is parent information necessary in the FAFSA form? 

Answer- There are sections on the FAFSA form that ask if you plan to be an independent or dependent student. It also requests information about your parents if you are reliant. 

Question- What can I do if I miss the FAFSA guideline?  

Answer- Stay at ease! Contact the financial aid offices if you fail to submit your FAFSA by the deadline. Some states and institutions provide federal funding to students who enrol late. 

Question- Can I edit my FAFSA application after the final submission? 

Answer- By signing into your account and selecting "Make FAFSA Correction," you may make changes to your FAFSA application. However, get in touch with the financial assistance office if you believe that the Social Security number you submitted is wrong.