Undergraduate Scholarships in USA for International Students 2027

Finding undergraduate funding in the United States requires understanding a system that works differently from scholarship funding in many other countries.

For example, one international student might receive a named merit scholarship, while another qualifies for need-based financial aid. Meanwhile, someone else may win a full-tuition or full-cost award. A fourth student could combine a smaller scholarship with family funding.

Although these forms of support are often grouped together under the word “scholarship”, they do not work in the same way.

This distinction becomes especially important when you need substantial funding. For instance, a university offering a $20,000 annual scholarship may still be unaffordable if its total annual cost is $80,000. By contrast, an applicant from a low-income family might receive considerably more assistance through need-based financial aid at another institution.

Therefore, the right question is not simply:

“Which U.S. universities offer scholarships to international students?”

Instead, ask:

“How does this university fund international undergraduates, and what would my actual cost be after financial aid?”

This guide explains need-based aid, merit scholarships, full-tuition and full-cost awards, need-blind and need-aware admission, demonstrated financial need, athletic scholarships, and the strategies international students can use to build a financially realistic U.S. university list.

How Undergraduate Funding in the USA Actually Works

International undergraduate funding in the United States can come through several different routes.

Funding Route	How It Works	What to Check
Need-Based Financial Aid	Based primarily on the family’s financial circumstances	International eligibility and admission policy
Merit Scholarship	Awarded for academic or other achievements	Value, separate application and renewal rules
Full-Tuition Scholarship	Covers tuition	Whether housing, meals and other costs remain
Full-Cost/Full-Ride Scholarship	Covers most or all major attendance costs	Exactly which expenses are included
Automatic Entrance Scholarship	Awarded or considered through admission	GPA/test requirements and renewal
Competitive University Scholarship	Requires additional competition or selection	Separate deadline and application
Athletic Scholarship	Connected to collegiate sports recruitment	Division, sport and recruitment process
External Scholarship	Funded outside the university	Whether it can be combined with university aid

In other words, understanding these categories prevents one of the most common mistakes in U.S. scholarship research: assuming that every form of financial support is the same.

Scholarship, Financial Aid and Full Ride: What’s the Difference?

These terms are frequently used interchangeably online. However, they can describe very different funding arrangements.

Scholarship

Generally, a scholarship is an award based on specified criteria.

Depending on the programme, those criteria might include:

Academic achievement
Leadership
Talent
Community involvement
Athletic ability
Financial circumstances
A combination of factors

Some scholarships provide a few thousand dollars. Others cover tuition. In addition, a small number cover most of the total cost of attendance.

Need-Based Financial Aid

By contrast, need-based aid depends primarily on what the university determines that the student and family can reasonably contribute toward education.

To make this calculation, an institution examines financial information and determines the student’s demonstrated financial need according to its own methodology.

As a result, students with substantial financial need can sometimes receive very large institutional aid packages.

Full-Tuition Scholarship

A full-tuition scholarship generally pays tuition.

However, that does not necessarily mean your entire education is free. You may still need money for:

Housing
Meals
Health insurance
Books
Personal expenses
Transportation
Flights
Other university fees

Consequently, always calculate the costs that remain after tuition has been covered.

Full-Ride or Full-Cost Scholarship

A full-ride or full-cost award usually goes beyond tuition and covers most major educational and living expenses.

Nevertheless, do not assume that every award using these terms covers exactly the same expenses. Instead, read the official benefits carefully.

Full Demonstrated Need

This concept is different again.

If a university says it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need, it calculates what it believes your family can contribute. Afterward, the institution constructs an aid package designed to address the remaining demonstrated need.

Therefore, meeting full demonstrated need does not automatically mean every admitted student attends at zero cost.

What Does “Demonstrated Financial Need” Actually Mean?

For example, suppose a university estimates its annual cost of attendance at $90,000.

After examining a family’s income, assets and financial circumstances, the institution determines that the family can contribute $10,000.

In a simplified example:

Cost of attendance: $90,000

Calculated family contribution: $10,000

Demonstrated financial need: $80,000

At an institution committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated need, the financial-aid package would be designed to address that calculated $80,000 need according to the institution’s policies.

However, the university—not the family—determines demonstrated need.

Therefore, a family saying:

“We cannot afford anything”

does not automatically mean the institution will calculate a zero contribution.

For instance, universities may examine:

Parent income
Assets
Family size
Number of children in education
Business ownership
Property
Country-specific economic circumstances
Other relevant financial information

Furthermore, different universities can calculate needs differently. As a result, the same family may receive different financial-aid offers from different institutions.

Need-Blind vs Need-Aware Admission for International Students

Perhaps one of the most important concepts for international applicants seeking substantial U.S. financial aid is the difference between need-blind and need-aware admission.

What Is Need-Blind Admission?

At a need-blind university, the applicant’s ability to pay does not affect the admission decision under the institution’s stated policy.

If that policy also applies to international applicants, requesting financial aid does not itself disadvantage the applicant during admission.

However, only a relatively small group of U.S. institutions combine need-blind admission for international applicants with very generous need-based aid.

What Is Need-Aware Admission?

At a need-aware institution, an international applicant’s ability to pay can be considered during the admission process.

Importantly, this does not mean that students needing financial aid cannot be admitted. Instead, financial need can become one factor in the admission decision.

Consequently, an international applicant requiring nearly the entire cost of attendance may face a different admissions context from someone who can finance most of the cost.

Why the Difference Matters

Consider two universities that both say:

“We meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted international students.”

Suppose University A is need-blind for international applicants, whereas University B is need-aware.

Both institutions may provide excellent financial aid after admission. Nevertheless, the role financial need plays before admission is different.

For this reason, investigate two separate questions:

How does financial need affect admission?
How much demonstrated need does the university meet after admission?

Universities With Very Generous Need-Based Aid

Some highly selective U.S. universities provide substantial institutional financial aid to international undergraduates.

For example, Harvard and Yale illustrate how this model can work.

Harvard University

Harvard states that international students are eligible for financial aid on the same basis as U.S. students.

Moreover, its undergraduate admission process is need-blind, including for international applicants. Harvard also says it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need.

Importantly, Harvard undergraduate aid is need-based rather than merit-based.

Therefore, an applicant does not win a “Harvard full scholarship” simply because of outstanding grades.

First, the student must gain admission. Afterward, the university determines financial need based on the family’s circumstances.

For 2027–2028 prospective students, Harvard’s financial-aid process generally requires international applicants to submit financial information through the CSS Profile and supporting documentation through IDOC. However, alternative arrangements are available in specified circumstances where the standard process creates difficulties for international families.

Current applicants can review the official Harvard financial aid information.

Yale University

Similarly, Yale currently operates need-blind undergraduate admission regardless of nationality or citizenship and provides need-based financial aid to admitted international students.

Furthermore, Yale states that it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need.

Depending on the family’s calculated need, its international aid packages can account for costs including housing, meals and travel.

Like Harvard, this is fundamentally a need-based financial-aid model, not a conventional merit-scholarship competition.

Together, these examples demonstrate why international applicants should understand U.S. financial aid rather than searching only for named scholarships.

Need-Based Aid Is Not the Same as Merit Funding

To understand the distinction, consider two hypothetical applicants.

Student A

Exceptional grades
Strong extracurricular activities
The family can afford the full cost

At a university awarding only need-based aid, Student A might receive no financial assistance despite having an exceptional academic record.

Student B

Strong enough profile to gain admission
Family has substantial demonstrated financial need

By contrast, Student B could receive a very large financial-aid package at the same university.

Therefore, statements such as

“Harvard gives full scholarships to students with excellent grades”

can be misleading.

Admission is extremely selective. However, the amount of need-based financial aid depends on demonstrated financial need rather than simply on who has the highest grades.

Merit Scholarships Work Differently

Unlike need-based aid, merit scholarships reward qualities identified by the institution.

Depending on the award, these can include:

Academic achievement
Leadership
Creativity
Service
Talent
Innovation
Extracurricular distinction

Financial need may or may not matter.

In addition, application procedures vary. Some universities automatically consider admitted applicants for merit scholarships. By contrast, others require:

A separate scholarship application
Additional essays
An earlier admission deadline
Interviews
Nominations
Additional supporting documents

For this reason, never assume that submitting the university application automatically enters you into every scholarship competition.

Full-Tuition vs Full-Ride: Calculate What Remains

Consider a university with the following annual costs:

Expense	Annual Cost
Tuition	$50,000
Housing and meals	$18,000
Insurance	$3,000
Books/personal expenses	$3,000
Other fees	$2,000
Total	$76,000

Now suppose you win a full-tuition scholarship worth $50,000.

You still have approximately:

$26,000 per year

to finance.

Over four years, ignoring future cost increases, that could represent more than $100,000 in remaining expenses.

Therefore, a scholarship can sound enormous and still leave an unaffordable funding gap.

For that reason, always calculate:

Total cost of attendance − confirmed grants/scholarships = remaining cost

Major Full-Cost Merit Scholarships

Some U.S. universities offer highly competitive merit awards capable of covering most or all major undergraduate costs.

For example, one well-known opportunity is the Stamps Scholarship at the University of Miami.

The Stamps Scholarship is awarded to exceptional first-year applicants and can cover the full cost of attendance.

Depending on the current award terms, benefits can include:

Tuition and fees
On-campus housing
Meal plan
University health insurance
Textbooks
Laptop allowance
Enrichment funding

Additionally, the enrichment component can support approved experiences such as study abroad, research, internships and other educational opportunities.

This model differs fundamentally from Harvard or Yale.

At Harvard and Yale, institutional undergraduate aid is based on demonstrated financial need. By contrast, the Stamps Scholarship is a competitive merit award.

Therefore, an international applicant should understand which funding model better fits their circumstances.

Berea College: A Different International Funding Model

Another funding model can be found at Berea College, which has long attracted international applicants because of its unusual financial structure.

Rather than functioning like a conventional high-cost private university offering only a small number of major scholarships, Berea combines institutional financial support with its work-college model.

Therefore, international applicants should examine:

What institutional funding covers
Their expected personal contribution
Campus work expectations
First-year financial arrangements
Costs that remain the student’s responsibility

More broadly, this example teaches an important lesson.

Sometimes an affordable U.S. option does not result from winning a famous scholarship. Instead, affordability can come from choosing an institution whose overall financial model reduces the amount students need to finance.

Automatic Scholarships vs Competitive Scholarships

Before submitting applications, international students should identify how scholarship consideration works at each institution.

Automatic Scholarship Consideration

At some universities, submitting a complete admission application by the relevant deadline automatically places you into consideration for certain merit awards.

In that situation, no additional scholarship application is required.

Separate Competitive Scholarship

By contrast, other awards require additional steps, such as:

Separate application
Additional essay
Interview
Nomination
Portfolio
Earlier deadline

Consequently, missing one of these steps can cost you a scholarship opportunity even if your admission application is excellent.

Therefore, create a spreadsheet with separate columns for:

Admission deadline | Financial-aid deadline | Scholarship deadline

Most importantly, do not assume they are identical.

Athletic Scholarships for International Students

Athletic funding provides another possible route.

International students with exceptional sporting ability may be recruited by U.S. colleges and universities and receive athletic financial support.

However, this process differs substantially from ordinary academic scholarship applications.

For example, athletes may need to consider:

Recruitment timelines
Eligibility rules
Athletic division
Academic requirements
Coach communication
Competition history
Verified athletic performance

In other words, simply stating “I play football” or “I am good at athletics” is not enough to secure athletic funding.

Instead, competitive recruitment usually requires documented performance at an appropriate level.

Africa-Specific and Region-Specific Opportunities

Although this guide applies to international students generally, some programmes target applicants from particular regions or countries.

For instance, African students, Asian students, Latin American students and applicants from other regions may occasionally find:

Foundation-sponsored programmes
University partnerships
Country-specific scholarships
Government sponsorship
Donor-funded awards
Regional leadership programmes

These opportunities can be valuable. However, regional scholarship searches should supplement—not replace—the broader university funding search.

For example, an African student who searches only for:

“Scholarships in USA for African students”

may completely miss generous institutional financial aid available to international students regardless of nationality.

Likewise, the same principle applies to applicants from other regions.

How to Find Universities That May Actually Be Affordable

Finding a university that admits international students is relatively easy.

However, finding one that you can realistically afford requires considerably more research.

A structured process helps.

Step 1: Find the Total Cost of Attendance

First, don’t look only at tuition.

Instead, include:

Tuition
Mandatory fees
Housing
Meals
Health insurance
Books
Personal expenses
Transportation
International travel where relevant

Step 2: Check International Financial-Aid Eligibility

Next, ask:

Are international students eligible for institutional need-based aid?

Step 3: Check the Admission Policy

Afterward, determine whether the institution is:

Need-blind for international students
Need-aware
Offering no institutional need-based aid to international students

Step 4: Check Merit Scholarships

Then determine:

Maximum value
Eligibility
Separate application requirements
Deadline
Renewal requirements

Step 5: Calculate the Potential Gap

Finally, estimate:

Total cost − likely aid = amount your family may need to finance

Only after completing these steps can you begin judging affordability realistically.

“Meets Full Need” Does Not Mean Easy Admission

Generous financial aid can make some highly selective universities financially attractive to low-income international students.

However, affordability after admission should not be confused with the likelihood of admission.

Universities offering exceptionally generous international aid can have extremely selective admissions processes.

Therefore, a strategy consisting entirely of:

Harvard
Yale
Princeton
MIT
Similar highly selective institutions

is not a complete funding strategy.

Certainly, the financial package might be excellent if admitted. Nevertheless, your university list also needs to account for admissions uncertainty.

Build a Funding Portfolio, Not Just a University List

International students needing substantial aid should think of their applications as a funding portfolio.

For example, a useful approach is to include institutions with different funding models.

Highly Selective Need-Based Aid Institutions

First, these institutions can provide exceptional financial support to admitted students with demonstrated need.

Universities With Major Competitive Merit Scholarships

Second, family finances may matter less for the scholarship itself at these institutions. However, competition for the largest awards can be intense.

Universities With Automatic Merit Awards

Third, these institutions can sometimes provide greater predictability if your academic profile satisfies published scholarship criteria.

Lower-Cost Institutions

Finally, a lower initial cost can sometimes produce a more affordable result than a prestigious university offering only a modest scholarship.

Overall, this approach does not guarantee admission or funding. Nevertheless, it reduces dependence on one type of opportunity.

Which Funding Strategy Fits Your Profile?

Your Situation	Funding Route to Investigate
Very strong applicant with substantial financial need	Generous need-based aid institutions
Strong academics but limited financial need	Merit scholarships
Exceptional academic/leadership profile	Full-cost competitive merit awards
Elite athlete	Athletic recruitment and scholarships
Strong grades seeking predictable support	Automatic merit awards
Limited family budget	Need-based aid + lower-cost institutions + major merit opportunities
Applicant from a targeted country/region	Regional awards in addition to international funding

In practice, most students should investigate more than one category.

SAT/ACT Policies Matter for 2027 Applicants

Standardised-testing policies have changed repeatedly across U.S. universities in recent years.

Therefore, do not rely on an old scholarship article that labels a university “test optional” or says SAT/ACT scores are unnecessary.

Instead, check the policy for the exact year you are applying.

For example, Harvard currently requires standardised testing for first-year applicants, although it provides alternative testing routes in exceptional circumstances where SAT or ACT access is genuinely unavailable.

Similarly, Yale currently requires standardised testing from first-year applicants.

Furthermore, testing can affect merit scholarship consideration at some institutions even where the general admission policy provides more flexibility.

Before finalising your university list, create a testing column showing:

SAT required?
ACT accepted?
Alternative exams accepted?
Test optional?
Scholarship-specific test requirement?
English-proficiency requirement?

Importantly, admission testing and English-language testing are different requirements.

Therefore, do not assume IELTS or TOEFL substitutes for SAT/ACT where standardised academic testing is required.

English-Language Requirements Vary by University

International students may encounter requirements involving:

TOEFL
IELTS
Duolingo English Test
Cambridge English qualifications
Other accepted assessments

However, some universities provide exemptions based on previous education or other criteria.

Consequently, there is no universal U.S. undergraduate English-test rule. Instead, check the individual university’s requirements.

Financial-Aid Documents International Students May Need

Applying for need-based aid can require considerably more financial documentation than applying for admission alone.

For example, depending on the institution, documents can include:

CSS Profile
Parent income information
Tax documents
Employer statements
Bank or financial information
Non-custodial parent information
Institutional financial-aid forms
Explanations of unusual family circumstances

However, not every university uses the CSS Profile.

Therefore, never send financial documents simply because another university requested them. Instead, follow each institution’s instructions.

What If Your Parents Don’t File Tax Returns?

This situation can arise in countries where families earn income through informal employment, small businesses or systems where income-tax filing differs from the United States.

Fortunately, universities may provide alternative documentation procedures.

For example, Harvard’s current instructions allow international applicants whose parents do not file income-tax documents to submit other evidence such as wage statements, payslips or employer letters stating annual income.

Most importantly:

Do not invent financial documents.

Instead, explain the family’s actual financial situation and provide the alternatives requested by the institution.

Your Scholarship Application Starts With Your Overall Profile

Large merit scholarships are rarely awarded because of grades alone.

Instead, depending on the award, selectors may examine:

Academic achievement
Intellectual curiosity
Leadership
Extracurricular involvement
Community contribution
Creativity
Talent
Initiative
Character
Personal circumstances

Therefore, strong applicants build evidence over time.

If you are still months or years from applying, our guide on how to build a strong scholarship application profile explains how to strengthen the experiences that eventually become the substance of your applications.

Essays Matter, but They Cannot Manufacture a Profile

A strong college or scholarship essay can help reviewers understand who you are.

However, it cannot compensate for invented achievements or create years of activities that never happened.

For example, effective essays often reveal:

How you think
What you value
How experiences shaped you
How you respond to challenges
What motivates your decisions

For competitive scholarship essays specifically, our guide on how to write a winning scholarship essay explains how to turn experiences into specific, evidence-based responses rather than generic claims.

How to Compare Financial-Aid Offers

Receiving several admission offers is only the beginning.

Next, compare each financial package carefully.

For example, create a table like this:

Item	University A	University B	University C
Total Cost of Attendance	$	$	$
Grants/Need-Based Aid	$	$	$
Merit Scholarship	$	$	$
Other Confirmed Funding	$	$	$
Family Contribution	$	$	$
Remaining Gap	$	$	$

Afterward, investigate:

Is the aid renewable?
Does the scholarship require a minimum GPA?
Will aid change if family income changes?
Is housing included?
Is health insurance included?
Are travel costs included?
Will tuition increase?
Is the scholarship guaranteed for four years?
Are there work expectations?

Ultimately, the largest scholarship is not necessarily the most affordable offer.

Don’t Ignore the Cost of Living

The United States has enormous geographic differences in living costs.

For instance, housing, food, transportation and personal expenses can differ significantly between cities and regions.

As a result, a university with lower tuition in an expensive city could potentially cost more overall than an institution with higher tuition but stronger aid or lower living costs.

Therefore, evaluate the total cost of attendance, not just the tuition figure.

International students can also use the official EducationUSA undergraduate financing guidance as a starting point when researching U.S. study costs and financial-aid options.

Common Funding Mistakes International Students Make

Searching Only for “Fully Funded Scholarships”

As a result, you may miss universities with excellent need-based financial aid.

Confusing Full Tuition With Full Cost

In particular, housing and other expenses can remain substantial.

Assuming 100% Demonstrated Need Means Everything Is Free

Remember, the institution calculates your family contribution.

Ignoring Need-Aware Admission

Therefore, understand whether requesting aid can be considered during admission.

Applying Only to Famous Need-Blind Universities

Although generous financial aid is attractive, it does not make admission easy.

Looking Only for Scholarships From Your Region

Instead, investigate institutional international aid as well because it may be more generous than a regional scholarship.

Missing Separate Scholarship Deadlines

For example, some of the largest merit awards may have earlier deadlines.

Assuming Admission Means Scholarship Consideration

However, some awards require separate applications.

Ignoring Renewal Conditions

After all, a four-year degree requires a four-year financial plan.

Comparing Scholarship Amounts Instead of Net Costs

For example, a $30,000 scholarship at an $85,000 institution may be less affordable than a $15,000 scholarship at a much cheaper university.

Using Outdated Testing Information

Therefore, always verify SAT/ACT and English-language policies for your application year.

Hiding or Misrepresenting Family Finances

Most importantly, financial-aid applications require accurate information.

A Practical Timeline for 2027 U.S. Undergraduate Applicants

12–18 Months Before Enrolment

First:

Research universities
Understand funding models
Review academic requirements
Prepare for required standardised tests
Strengthen extracurricular activities

9–12 Months Before Enrolment

Finalise a balanced university list
Identify major merit scholarships
Confirm aid eligibility for international students
Request recommendations
Begin application essays
Gather family financial information

During the Application Season

Afterward:

Submit admission applications
Submit separate scholarship applications
Complete required financial-aid forms
Track different deadlines
Check application portals regularly

After Admission Decisions

Finally:

Compare financial-aid offers
Calculate remaining costs
Clarify unclear funding terms
Review renewal requirements
Select a financially sustainable option

Most importantly, do not wait until admission to begin thinking about funding.

For international applicants requiring substantial aid, financing strategy should influence the university list from the beginning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can International Students Get Full Undergraduate Scholarships in the USA?

Yes.

For example, some international students receive comprehensive need-based financial aid, full-cost merit scholarships or other major awards.

However, these opportunities can be highly competitive, and funding policies differ substantially between universities.

Can International Students Receive Need-Based Financial Aid?

Yes, at institutions that provide institutional need-based aid to international applicants.

By contrast, other universities may provide little or no need-based institutional aid to international students.

Therefore, always check the individual policy.

What Is the Difference Between Need-Blind and Need-Aware Admission?

Need-blind means the applicant’s ability to pay is not considered in the admission decision under the university’s policy.

By contrast, need-aware means financial need can be considered as part of admission.

Does Harvard Give Full Scholarships to International Students?

Harvard’s undergraduate financial aid is need-based rather than merit-based.

International students are currently eligible for aid on the same basis as U.S. students. Moreover, Harvard states that it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need.

However, the amount depends on the university’s assessment of the family’s financial circumstances.

Does Yale Give Financial Aid to International Students?

Yes.

Currently, Yale uses need-blind admission for international applicants and provides need-based aid designed to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students.

Is a Full-Tuition Scholarship the Same as a Full Ride?

Not necessarily.

Full tuition generally refers to tuition charges. By contrast, a full-cost or full-ride award may cover additional expenses such as housing and meals.

Therefore, always check the specific award.

Do I Need SAT or ACT for U.S. Scholarships?

It depends on the university and scholarship.

Because testing policies change, scholarship requirements can differ from general admission requirements. Therefore, check the current rules for your application cycle.

Can I Study in the USA Without IELTS?

Possibly.

For example, some universities accept other tests or waive English testing under specified circumstances.

However, universities establish their own English-language requirements and exemptions. Therefore, check the individual institution before applying.

Should I Apply Only to Need-Blind Universities If I Need Financial Aid?

No.

Although need-blind universities with generous international aid can be valuable options, many are extremely selective.

Therefore, need-aware universities, merit-scholarship institutions and lower-cost options can also form part of a balanced funding strategy.

Is a $20,000 Scholarship Good?

It depends on the total cost.

For example, a $20,000 scholarship at a university costing $40,000 annually has a very different financial impact from the same scholarship at a university costing $90,000.

Therefore, always calculate the remaining cost.

When Should International Students Start Searching for U.S. Undergraduate Funding?

Ideally, begin approximately 12 to 18 months before intended enrolment.

Because major scholarship deadlines and financial-aid requirements can coincide with or precede admission deadlines, starting early gives you more time to build a realistic funding strategy.

Final Thoughts

Funding a bachelor’s degree in the United States is not simply a matter of finding the biggest scholarship.

Instead, international students need to understand how each university finances its students.

At one institution, need-based financial aid may be the strongest route. At another, the opportunity may be a competitive full-cost merit scholarship. Elsewhere, automatic merit aid may reduce an already lower cost of attendance to a manageable level.

Therefore, the terminology matters.

Full tuition is not automatically full cost.

Moreover, meeting 100% of demonstrated need does not automatically mean zero family contribution.

Similarly, need-blind and need-aware admission are not the same.

Finally, a large scholarship does not automatically produce the lowest final cost.

Once you understand those distinctions, your university search becomes much more strategic.

First, identify the total cost of attendance. Next, determine whether international students can receive aid. Afterward, establish whether the university is need-blind or need-aware. Then investigate relevant merit scholarships and deadlines. Finally, calculate the remaining funding gap and compare it with what your family can realistically afford.

Ultimately, the objective is not merely to win a scholarship.

Instead, the goal is to secure an undergraduate education in the United States with a financial plan that remains realistic for all four years.