College Admissions Consulting Paying for College in the U.S.: Need-Blind vs. Need-Aware Written by Robyn Stewarton August 11th, 2021 Prior to joining College Coach, I was a financial aid officer at the College of the Holy Cross and an education advisor at two TRIO program locations. I work with the Massachusetts Education Finance Authority (MEFA) to present paying for college workshops to hundreds of families across the state. I'm a graduate of UMass Amherst and have a master in counseling from Northeastern University. Learn More About Robyn applying from abroad, international students, need aware, need blind, In this installment of our series for international students interested in studying in the United States, college finance expert Robyn Stewart breaks down the differences between need-blind and need-aware admissions practices, and explains why these policies matter to international students. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel to keep up to date on all the latest college planning tips from our college admissions and finance experts. Related Resources Read | Posted on July 16th, 2025 Am I competitive for medical school? Read | Posted on July 9th, 2025 Why College Students Should Consider Renter's Insurance: Protecting Your Belongings on Campus and Beyond Read | Posted on June 4th, 2025 Legal Documents Your Child Needs to Sign Before Heading to College
