Can Pakistani students apply for U.S. federal financial aid?

You’ve likely heard that filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a crucial first step to qualifying for financial aid, but what if you’re a Pakistani student looking to study in the U.S.?

Federal aid, including Pell Grants and federal student loans, is limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. You also need a valid Social Security number to fill out the FAFSA online to qualify for other forms of aid.

However, there are some instances where international students can complete the FAFSA. Even if you aren’t eligible for federal student aid, you may still qualify for financial aid in the form of institutional scholarships, grants, and education loans for Pakistani students.

MPOWER Financing, for example, offers no-collateral, no-cosigner education loans for Pakistani students looking to study abroad in the U.S. or Canada. Find out if you’re eligible for an MPOWER Financing student loan by clicking the link below.

1. Total number of Pakistan students in the U.S. (2023/2024):In the 2023–2024 academic year, over 11,000 Pakistani students were enrolled in the United States – a record high and a steady increase from the previous year. This placed Pakistan 16th globally for student enrolment in the US.Source:Tribune Pakistan
2. Average cost of a master’s degree in U.S.:According to the Education Data Initiative, as of Nov. 23, 2024, the cost of a master’s degree typically ranges between US$44,640 (PKR 13,243,000) and US$71,140 (PKR 21,062,000), depending on the school, major, and program length. On average, the cost is around US$62,820 (PKR 18,345,000).Source: Education Data Initiative – Average Cost of a Master’s Degree
3. Employment outcomes for master’s degree graduates in the U.S.Nearly 90% of master’s degree graduates from the class of 2023 were employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation, reflecting strong career prospects for advanced degree holders. While this marks a 0.9% decrease from the class of 2022, it remains higher than employment outcomes recorded during the pandemic, highlighting the resilience of the job market for master’s graduates.Source: NACE – Class of 2023: Nearly 85% of Bachelor’s Grads Employed or Continuing Education

The FAFSA is a form issued by the U.S. Department of Education. College and graduate school students must complete it to qualify for federal financial aid, including Pell Grants and federal student loans. Many universities use the FAFSA to determine students’ eligibility for other forms of aid, such as institutional grants or work-study programs.

However, you must meet the U.S. government’s eligibility requirements for federal student aid. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (meaning you have a Form I-551, I-151, or I-551C, also known as a “Green Card.”) You must have a valid Social Security number to fill out the FAFSA. Pakistani students and other international students without Social Security numbers cannot complete the FAFSA.

If you aren’t able to fill out the FAFSA, you can still qualify for financial aid in other ways. To qualify for grants, scholarships and institutional loans as a Pakistani student, you may need to complete one or more of the following applications:

• International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA): The ISAFA is a form many colleges and universities use to determine your eligibility for institutional aid. The form is free to complete, and you can access the application online.
• CSS Profile: The CSS Profile is another commonly used application used by schools all over the U.S. It collects information about your family’s income, assets and expenses in Pakistani rupees.
• Institutional Applications: Some schools have their own financial aid applications for Pakistani students. For example, the University of Pennsylvania requires the CSS Profile and a separate Penn Financial Aid Supplement application.

Contact your selected university to find out what the financial aid application process is for Pakistani students.

Scholarships and grants

There are many grants and scholarships for Pakistani students; unlike student loans, they don’t have to be repaid. Scholarships and grants can come from universities, non-profit organisations, government agencies, and private companies.

For example, the Fulbright Foreign Student Program provides funding for graduate students and young professionals to study and conduct research in the U.S. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan also offers various scholarships, and MPOWER offers a variety of scholarships for Pakistani students.

You can search for scholarships and grant opportunities with databases like IEFA.org and Edupass.org. Additionally, the USEFP (United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan) provides valuable resources and scholarship opportunities specifically for Pakistani students.

Fellowships and assistantships

Fellowships and assistantships provide funding opportunities for graduate and doctoral students. These are often paid positions where students assist professors with research or teach undergraduate courses. Some fellowships specifically cater to Pakistani students.

For example, students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) can apply for the Josephine de Karman Fellowship, which provides up to US$25,000 (PKR 7,157,500) in funding for students completing dissertations.

To explore fellowship opportunities, reach out to your university’s department head or financial aid office. Pakistani students should also consider applying for HEC-approved foreign fellowships which often come with additional benefits.

Student loans for Pakistani students

Federal student loans are only issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and eligible noncitizens. However, there are education loans for Pakistani students available from private lenders, and some options align with Islamic banking principles.

Many lenders require Pakistani students to have cosigners who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents to qualify for a loan. However, there are a few lenders – including MPOWER – that offer student loans for Pakistani students that don’t require co-signers.

Through MPOWER, you can borrow up to US$100,000 (PKR 28,630,000) to finance your education, and you’ll just need to make interest-only payments while you’re in school and for six months after you graduate. After this six-month period ends, your outstanding balance will be amortised over the next 10 years, and monthly principal and interest payments will be due.

MPOWER has fixed interest rates, and you can qualify for a 0.25% discount by signing up for automatic payments. All transactions comply with the State Bank of Pakistan’s foreign exchange regulations.

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Financing your studies in the U.S.

Although students are usually encouraged to fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible, that’s not the case for Pakistani students. If you aren’t a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or eligible noncitizen with a valid Social Security number, you cannot complete the FAFSA or qualify for federal financial aid.

Even though you can’t take out federal student loans, there are financial aid options for Pakistani students that can help you manage the cost of studying in the U.S. Scholarships, grants, fellowship opportunities and private student loans can all help you finance your education. Be sure to consult with your local bank regarding foreign exchange requirements and State Bank of Pakistan regulations.

Research your options and contact your university’s financial aid office to find out what types of aid you may qualify for as an international student. If you’re ready to apply for a loan, you can start the process online.