Skip to main content
OFFICE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FINANCIAL AID PROCESS

Outside of the Connelly Center

Many financial assistance opportunities exist for international students. These include merit-based scholarships, need-based grants, and private education loans. Merit-based scholarships are awarded by the Office of Undergraduate Admission whereas the Office of Financial Assistance handles the awarding of need-based funding.

Admission for first-year international students is need-aware, which means your family's ability to pay for your education may be a factor in your admission decision.  

Although a student applying for aid may be academically admissible, not all students will be awarded financial aid due to the limited availability of funding. In addition, all students receiving funds are expected to contribute personally toward educational and personal expenses while attending Villanova University.

Planning for college expenses is one of the biggest decisions a student can make. As a prospective student, you may be confused by the financial aid application process. While it is true that there are many forms to complete and deadlines to meet, the Office of Financial Assistance can help you make the process more manageable with our easy step-by-step guide to financial assistance.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

  • Early Decision I: November 1
  • Early Action: December 1
  • Early Decision II: January 15
  • Regular Decision: January 15
  • Fall Transfer Students: May 1
  • Spring Transfer Students: November 1
DATES AND DEADLINES

                       

NEED-BASED FUNDS

HOW TO APPLY

  • Certificate of Finances, available through your Applicant Status Page, with a supporting bank letter (in English and in US Dollars)
  • Official letter (in English and in US Dollars) from a parent(s)' employer stating gross income and value of perquisites, subsidies, and/or benefits for the 2023 calendar year*
    • *If a parent(s) are self-employed, in lieu of the official letter from the employer, you will want to submit a self-certifying letter stating gross income for the 2023 calendar year and Villanova University's Parental Asset/Liability Form.
  • Statement from your bank (in English and in US Dollars) indicating the amount of savings and checking that your parents have on deposit with the bank.  Provide this statement for each bank your family has funds deposited.

Upon review of the financial aid applications and documents, additional information may be requested.  To ensure that you are aware of the additional information that is being requested, the student should be monitoring their Applicant Status Page.  In addition, our office will email the student if their financial aid file is incomplete. 

  • Financial Aid Notices will be posted to the student’s Applicant Status Page.
  • In the financial aid notice there will be a link to the Financial Assistance Information Sheet.  Read through this booklet carefully as it contains detailed information regarding each source of aid, costs, how aid eligibility can be impacted in future years, and financing options.
  • Review your Financial Aid Checklist to determine if there are any outstanding items that are still required.  If there are outstanding requirements, your aid notice is tentative and subject to change pending the receipt and review of the documents.
  • Report to the Office of Financial Assistance any outside scholarships, grants, or tuition remission you will receive (a copy of the letter should be submitted).
  • Once an admission deposit is paid the student will be instructed to create a MyNova account where the student must accept, decline, reduce offer of aid.  The student will receive an email from our office with instructions on how to do so.

                       

OTHER FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Other Funding Opportunities is not an offer of aid but rather the difference between the total cost of attendance and the amount of financial aid that you have been offered.  This amount can be financed through a payment plan or private educational loan.

Payment plans are available for the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.  Monthly payment plans allow you to spread your educational expenses over smaller monthly installments.  We are pleased to partner with Nelnet to provide this option for our students.   

Payment Plan Information

  • Access to account information 24 hours a day at https://mycollegepaymentplan.com/villanova
  • Payment can be made by automatic bank payment (ACH) or by credit card/debit card
  • Plans are term based and the enrollment fee per term is $40.
  • All students and families, regardless of need or financial standing, are eligible to enroll

For questions regarding payment plans please contact Nelnet Customer Service at 1-800-609-8056. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday 7:00am – 7:00pm and Saturday 8:00am – 2:00pm.

 

International citizens may also seek private educational loans, provided a US citizen or permanent resident is willing co-sign the loan. 

Private Educational Loans are administered by private lenders and there are a variety of lending institutions that offer these student loans. The Office of Financial Assistance has selected a group of Preferred Lenders based on quality customer service, borrower benefits, and financing options.  However, if you wish to use another lender that is not on this list, you may.  As a borrower, you have the right to select any lender you choose.

ELM Select is an external webpage where you will be able to review and compare Villanova University's Preferred Lender information, and apply for private loans.

Please allow at least four weeks from the start of the application process to disbursement of funds due to numerous disclosures now required by lending institutions.

You may choose to use any lender that offers a Private Educational Loan.  You may want to contact the bank, savings and loan, or credit union with whom you do business.

  1. Students and families will need to conduct research to find the best private educational loan to suit their needs. (i.e. identifying lenders who will approve loans for non-matriculated students, certificate programs, prior balances, etc.) Students apply directly through the lenders.
  2. Once approved for an alternative loan, the Office of Financial Assistance will review the loan for school certification.  This process includes confirming enrollment and verifying the eligibility for the type of loan requested and the borrowing amount requested.
  3. Each aid applicant will receive a notice of eligibility from the Office of Financial Assistance.
  4. Loan funds will be disbursed in accordance with the disbursement schedule once all necessary paperwork has been completed.

 

                       

FAQs

Email us at finaid@villanova.edu to request a Profile Fee Waiver. Our office will review your information to determine if you qualify.

Financial aid is renewable on an annual basis for the same amount, as long as you reapply by completing the Profile by the May 1 deadline, continue to demonstrate similar financial need, make Satisfactory Academic Progress and are enrolled full-time.

While we recognize that some students’ countries may experience currency devaluation over their tenure at Villanova University, the University is unable to provide additional funding to account for any currency fluctuations.

While not included in the determination of your eligibility for financial aid, students that need health insurance may purchase a plan through the University at a cost of approximately $2,360 a year.