Issue date: 1/22/08 Section: News

International students who are eligible for financial aid will receive the same benefits of Penn's new loan-free program, according to the University.

But the new financial aid plan will not affect the number of international students that Penn can admit and offer aid to, and will not change the eligiblity requirements for an aid package.

Students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., Canada or Mexico and need financial aid face stiffer competition for admission to the University because the need-blind admissions policy does not extend to them.

Under that policy, domestic students' financial profiles are not considered as part of their overall application, thereby removing their ability to pay tuition as a factor in their admission.

"I know that it is very hard and competitive to get financial aid," as an international student, College sophomore Chris Lim said.

Lim, a Korean student, added that many foreign students feel they will be at a disadvantage in the application process if they demonstrate financial need.

Still, the plan the University implemented last December will provide some assistance for international students, if not in the next year.

The section of the policy that provides grant-based packages to students with family incomes under $100,000 by the fall of 2008 will not apply to non-domestic students.

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