Student Financial Aid

Sorry if this has been asked before, so far I haven't located a similar topic in the search engine.

Is there anyone who can tell me about applying for financial aid as an international student in the United Kingdom? I sent off my UCAS just days ago so I don't have any offers [or rejections] yet. Is there anything equivalent to a U.S. FAFSA? Is there anyone who got a substantial amount of aid? I'm pretty new and so far hopeless when it comes to financial aid so any information would be helpful.

I'm pretty sure that international students are not entitled to any financial aid from the UK (this includes the UK Student Loans Company and any research-type grants), so if you wish to apply for a student loan or scholarship/sponsorship to fund your UK studies, you will need to get it from the US.

I know that there are several people here on the forum who have taken out US student loans to pay for studies in the UK, so hopefully someone will be able to give you some info on how to apply for them. I seem to remember seeing the phrases 'FAFSA', 'Sallie Mae' and 'Stafford loan' being used in previous posts about applying for student loans .

ksand is correct.  Your US federal loans you get through the FAFSA can be used to study in the UK.  You'll have to check with the university you plan on attending to see how they handle it.  Some have a staff member dedicated to doing most of the legwork for you, some don't.

As a US citizen, you'll get financial aid from them, if you're looking for loans and such. You fill out the FAFSA like normal, and then, if it's like my school, you'll have to apply for the loan(s) on your own.

Here is the information for US student financial aid from Newcastle University. It helped me a lot, and may help you, too, even if you're looking at other schools: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/financial-support/international/usloans/apply.htm

I"m still waiting for my stupid W2s and such so I can fill out my stupid FASFA. I hate filling out forms.

You should check the websites of the schools to which you are applying. LSE has a graduate support scheme that you fill out after or before being accepted.  It had more questions than the application!  It seriously asked me how my research was going to benefit my country! 

Anyway, they've awarded me 5,600 pounds so far. I'm hoping for more as they tuition alone for my program is 13,999 pounds.

Was the award based on merit?

I"m still waiting for my stupid W2s and such so I can fill out my stupid FASFA. I hate filling out forms.

You should check the websites of the schools to which you are applying. LSE has a graduate support scheme that you fill out after or before being accepted.  It had more questions than the application!  It seriously asked me how my research was going to benefit my country! 

Anyway, they've awarded me 5,600 pounds so far. I'm hoping for more as they tuition alone for my program is 13,999 pounds.

Was the award based on merit?

They didn't say. I just assumed it was financial need.  I've heard the will sometimes lower the tuition to UK resident tuition.

The whole getting in process seemed odd to me. I heard back very quickly, there was no interview, no follow up or anything. I wonder if they were just short applicants in the program?

 http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/studentServicesCentre/financialSupportOffice/MScApp/taughtMScprogrammes.htm#GSS

LSE's graduate support scheme is based on financial need and is open to all students, home and overseas alike.  Very generous if you can a) get into LSE and b) snag an award from this scheme!