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Financial Aid and Enrollment Services

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Financial Aid for International Students

International students do not qualify for federal aid (and cannot fill out the FAFSA). To assist international students with their educational costs, UTSA participates in two programs that international students may apply for to receive funding. Please review the links below detailing these programs.

International Student Grant
Good Neighbor Scholarship

International Student Grant

The International Student Grant is a need-based award given to both undergraduate and graduate international students.  Awards are made on a first-come, first-serve basis until funds are exhausted. The maximum award varies depending on funds availability. Please review the following links for more information about aid for international students:

Eligibility Requirements

  • Demonstrate Financial Need
  • Maintain good academic standing and satisfactory academic progress
  • Graduate students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and undergraduate students must maintain a 2.0 GPA
  • Maintain a valid F-1 or J-1 Visa
  • Have a valid Social Security Number (if applicable)
  • Students must be coded as International by the Admission’s Office.

 Please note: lawful Permanent Residents are considered eligible non-citizens and therefore qualify for Federal Aid (FAFSA).

How to Apply

To apply for the International Student Grant you must submit:

  • International Student Grant Application by the deadline indicated on the form
  • A statement fully explaining your need for financial assistance (see Additional Documentation below) 
  • A copy of the Visa,
  • A copy of the I-94 Departure Record,
  • A copy of the Form I-20,
  • If applicable, a copy of valid Social Security card (BOTH SIDES OF CARD)
  • If employed, a copy of last year’s W-2 Form or a copy of year to date pay stub
  • If the students is married and/or has any dependents living in the US:
    • A copy of spouse’s I-94 Departure Record
    • If spouse is employed, a copy of last year’s W-2 Form or a copy of year to date pay stub
    • A copy of the Birth Certificate for dependents in the US

Additional Documentation:
In the statement, fully explain your need for financial assistance:

  • Include any recent change in your financial situation and explain why you cannot obtain the total amount of funding necessary for the academic year.
  • Indicate how you meet your current monthly expenses.
  • If no financial aid is forthcoming, explain how you will meet your financial needs.

The following are unusual expenses or circumstances that can be considered in a student’s application for the UTSA International Student Grant:

  • Unusual Medical Expenses: expenses not normally incurred by an average family (i.e., cancer treatment, extensive surgery, etc.).  Consideration will be given for medical expenses not covered by insurance.
  • Evidence of Termination of Scholarship or Stipend.
  • Evidence of Death of Sponsor (Death Certificate required).

Other extraordinary information (i.e., Sponsor withdrawing support- Letter from sponsor required)

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Good Neighbor Scholarship

The Good Neighbor Scholarship provides an exemption of tuition for students from the nations of the Western Hemisphere (other than Cuba). Students may be awarded one year of tuition (fall, spring, and summer). Financial Aid award letters will be sent in mid to late July.

To be eligible for the Good Neighbor Scholarship applicants must:

  • Students are exempt from paying tuition only. Students must still pay applicable fees.
  • Students must be on a current United States Immigration Service approved “Student Visa” (Usually F-1 or J-1).
  • Students must have been born in and be a current resident of one of the politically independent nations in the American Hemisphere other than Cuba or the United States, listed below.
  • Students must intend to return to the eligible country upon completion of his/her program of study.
  • Students must be admitted “unconditionally” to UTSA and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
  • Undergraduates must take a minimum of 12 hours each semester; Graduate students must take a minimum of 9 hours.

Good Neighbor Scholarship Application

In order to be considered for the Good Neighbor Scholarship submit copies of your J-1 or F-1 Visa, and your academic transcript to Enrollment Services by the deadline indicated on the form. Incomplete applications or applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

For additional information on the Good Neighbor Scholarship, please visit the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Web site.

For questions or additional information, contact the Enrollment Services Center at 458-8000.

Complete applications submitted by the deadline are ranked then sent to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for final selection.

Codes of Eligible Countries (Independent Nations Located in Western Hemisphere)

405 Argentina
407 Antigua and Barbuda
419 Bahamas
421 Barbados
425 Bolivia
430 Brazil
431 Belize (British Honduras)
440 Canada
445 Chile
455 Colombia
460 Costa Rica
474 Dominica
475 Dominican Republic
480 Ecuador
485 El Salvador
507 Grenada
510 Guatemala
511 Guyana
513 Haiti
515 Honduras
562 Jamaica
610 Mexico
630 Nicaragua
650 Panama
655 Paraguay
660 Peru
681 Saint Kitts & Nevis
683 St. Lucia
687 St. Vincent & the Grenadines
704 Suriname
725 Trinidad and Tobago
740 Uruguay
745 Venezuela

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