Q: Hi Stephanie, nice to meet you again, what would you consider a good SAT score for merit based aid?

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1 Undergraduate Financial Aid Guest Speaker: Stephanie Enstice, Florida Institute of Technology December 13, 2010 from 4pm 5 pm Q: Hi Stephanie, nice to meet you again, what would you consider a good SAT score for merit based aid? A: We like to see 1100 on math and reading combined, but it is not a requirement for scholarship Q: how much do scholarship do you offer to people who get 1100 in SAT CR+MA? A: The scholarship award is based upon your academic grades, FIT does not use the SAT for the award unless you are a US citizen Q: Good evening, Stephanie! Do we need to submit the certificate of financial proof in order to demonstrate that we have money ALTHOUGH we receive money from scholarships? A: In order to receive your I-20 for the student visa, proof of funding is required. The amount of scholarship will be deducted from the total cost. Q: I am from Argentina, and I'd want to study a couple years in a Community College in the U.S. Would I be able to request financial aid, should I need it? A: Yes you can. You should check with the Community College you would like to attend for financial aid available Q: Is there a general form you have international students complete, when they are inquiring about scholarships? A: When I review applications for admission, the student is automatically considered for merit aid. Q: What procedure to get scholarship??? A: Again, it will depend on the institution. FIT does not have a separate form for merit aid but many universities will have a separate form. Q: What is the average amount of scholarship you give out to international students at FIT? A: Our average at FIT last fall was around $10000 per year Q: I'm quite scared to run out of money while there, given the overall economic instability of my country A: Your concern is of course valid, and you should be sure that you have the financial means to pay for studies in the US before enrolling.

2 Q: Hello, Ma'am, it's great to talk to you again, how much scholarships do you offer for students with a CGPA of 4.0? A: We can offer up to $15000 per year currently and this may be increased in the coming year. Q: how do we get an application form A: The application forms are on line. You may also write to the admission counselor for the correct information and link to the form. Q: Are there any other scholarships for international students except for metrit based scholarship? A: Florida Tech does offer some need based aid. Many universities will have need based aid but usually an application is required. Q: Are there any specific scholarships that I can apply for just on certain majors like Aviation Management-Flight? A: At Florida Tech, we do not have specific major awards. Each student with good grades will qualify for academic aid. Those who need a bit more assistance, can apply with our one page form for additional aid. Athletes can ask about sports awards. Q: So far, I do. A: Great - consider the tuition/living costs and financial aid available while researching schools. Q: I filled out the application for the need-based scholarship, I have a CGPA of 4.0. How much scholarship will I get? A: I cannot tell you exactly at this time but you would qualify as long as you have good grades and good recommendation letters. Q: Plus, how do I apply for sports award, and how much do they offer? A: For athletes, the coach makes the decision. It depends on the coach's budget as to how much he can offer. They do need to see your athletic resume and prefer to also view a video of your play Q: Hello. I am not able to pay for study in US universities. Are there some grants which will pay full education process. A: full funding is not common but it is possible. You may want to research schools with need-based aid and certain merits that you have. You can also look for aid from public & private institutions in the US or at home

3 Q: And if the school doesn't required recommendation letters for enrolling, would it be a good idea to get some from my high-school and college teachers? (after translating them, of course) A: IF the university does not require the recommendation letter, you do not need to submit one. Be sure to follow directions and submit what is requested. Q: i have 12year education may i apply??? A: US colleges & universities will require that you have completed the equivelant of a High School Diploma in your home country. A high GPA and good scores on standardized tests such as the SAT/ACT, TOELF, or IELTS will help you when looking for financial aid Q: How can I contact the coach? A: You would check with your admission counselor or check the university web site for the contact information. In some cases, the admission office may now which teams are looking for players for the coming year and which may have scholarship to offer. Q: how many hours can a student work on campus and how much can he earn by working per month? A: A student in the states can work up to 20 hours per week on campus the first year. After the first year, you are allowed to work off campus in your field of study. FIT offers many internships for this purpose. Q: Are we allowed to choose the jobs we want to do on campus? A: You can apply for jobs which are open on campus but it is a competitive process. Q: Fluency in Spanish or French could be an asset? A: This depends on the college and university. A foreign language may be a type of merit they are looking for in prospective financial aid recipients Q: Can you please at least approximate? A: If you have a 4.0, you should receive at least $15000 per year from Florida Tech. Q: can we apply if we already have a diploma A: If you have done some university work, you would apply as a transfer student. Florida Tech does offer scholarship to transfer students as well. Q: how much scholarship would a student with a 3.4 gpa and very strong recommendation letters get? A: You should qualify for at least $10000 in aid at Florida Tech, but again, it will vary from university to university.

4 Q: Hi, Do all colleges require The International Financial Aid Application thru the College Board? or does Florida tech have its own financial aid application? A: Not all universities require the College Board form but many do use it. At Florida Tech, we have a one page form which is very easy to complete. Q: Are there any leadership scholarships available? A: With Merit Based aid, leadership potential may be considered. You will need to demonstrate past leadership skills in your extracurricular activities Q: A tertiary type study can count as "college"? A: If you are completing any further studies past your secondary school at an accredited institution, you may qualify for admission as a transfer student. Q: how much money can an average student earn during their first year by working on campus? Are the internships in the later years paid? A: It is difficult to say how much you would earn working on campus but perhaps $2000-$3000 in an academic year. Most of the internships at FIT are paid. You can work part time while in school or during the summer. A: Current Visa regulations allow international students to work part time up to 20 hours per week. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is also allowed for full time students, up to 12 months paid and 29 months for Science, Engineering, Tech, and Math students Q: What kind of work a student could expect to take in a University/College? Which are the most common ones? A: The most common campus positions are in offices, libraries or the cafeterias. Students who are in sciences or engineering at FIT can sometimes find a research position with a faculty member which may be paid. Q: Ma'am, are students allowed to switch majors if they face any problem with their majors once they've already started studying at FIT? A: Yes, changing majors is very common in the states. If you are having difficulties, you should seek support from an academic support center, from faculty or talk to an advisor about changing your major. Q: If you become the salutatorian, and FIT is your first choice, are there any additional scholarship? A: If your grades are higher when you complete your final year than when you were admitted, there is a chance we may be able to increase your award.

5 Q: Stephanie what is the maximum scholarship an international student can get in a year? A: FIT has not yet set the top award for the fall 2011 class but currently it is $15000 per year. We are hoping to increase that for top students. Q: I plan to get an AAS in Electrical Technology (applied Technology). Does that count for the 12, or the 29 month OPT? A: This would qualify you as a STEM student (Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math). Current immigration regulations allow STEM students to apply for up to 29 months of Optional Practice Training (OPT) in the US Q: Do international students have to give the TOEFL/EILTS? I study in an US accredited high school A: Here at FIT, the TOEFL is not a requirement for admission. If you are in an IB English program, it would not be required. We do offer the paper based test on campus during orientation. Q: If we get a job in the cafeteria, will students get any special privileges, like discounts from their meal plan fee? A: I am not sure about the benefits of working in the cafeterias on campus. If our students become resident hall advisors, which is are competitive positions, they will receive free room and meals. Many of our RAs are international students. Q: does FIT have an honors college? IF so, what is the minimum GPA and SAT score? A: Florida Tech likes to say that all of our students are honor students! The classes here are all small taught by full faculty which is usually the benefit of an honors college at a larger university. Q: Do you have to fill out the NCCA form to be considered for athletic scholarship? A: There is a clearinghouse for NCAA athletes. There are specific requirements such as the SAT. Q: What is a RA? And what are the usual requirements to work as one? A: The RA is the resident hall advisor and that person works in the residence hall. HE or she is responsible for hall meetings, making sure everyone is all right and takes care of any issues on the hall. Q: If a student is already accepted to FIT, but you receive his or her latest SAT scores quite higher than the previous score that you used to determine their scholarship, will you increase it? A: If we do receive additional SAT scores from a US citizen, we can increase the award. It may or may not have an effect on an international award. Q: Do you offer full tuition for international students? A: Florida Tech does not offer full tuition awards. Currently we offer up to half tuition.

6 Q: i am a college student who needs financial aid to stay in school because i don't have enough finaces...any advices or references A: You should research schools which offer need based aid as well as merit based Q: what is the minimum SAT requirement? A: You should check with each university. For Florida Tech, the SAT is not a requirement for an academic award. We recommend it but do not require it. Q: Half tution would be around..? A: That would be around $15000 per year Q: Do have have to come back to our country once we complete our degree? Or can we get a job over there and stay there? A: Students have the opportunity for a one year practical training in their field of study in the US. IF a company wishes to keep them, they would do the paper work. In most cases, you are expected to return to your home country. Q: when is the fall 2011 session starting? A: The start date for fall terms varies. Our starting date is in August. Most universities begin in August or September. Q: Is it possible to get scholarship greater $15000? A: In some cases, we may offer a higher award. Q: what are some of the cases? A: I would discuss this with each applicant, depending on merit and need combined. Q: What's the panorama for international students of Argentina? Are they common, uncommon, rare, there? A: We find and welcome students from Argentina on campuses all across the United States Q: Are there any Pakistani students studying at FIT? A: Yes, and we have Pakistani faculty. One visited the EducationUSA centers recently and made presentations. One of my student assistants was from Pakistan and he was great. We love ours and we have about 25% international students on campus, which is 1000 our of 3800! EducationUSA: Thank you for participating in this EdUSA Connects session on Undergraduate Financial Aid. For more information about US study, or to locate an advising center, visit us on the web at

7 You may also Stephanie Enstice at with further questions about FIT.