Recently, US News and World Report came out with a new ranking, ranking “10 Universities That Offer International Students the Most Aid.” The article, by Delece Smith-Barrow, read “some institutions are more generous than others when it comes to giving financial aid to international students, and Skidmore College is one,” and this is what led Skidmore to be ranked number one. Close behind to Skidmore, in the ranking, was Yale University (number 2), Amherst College (number 3) and Williams College (number 4).
The ranking compares the average amount of financial aid awarded to international students during the 2014-2015 school year. During this year Skidmore’s average aid package for international students was $56,600, and aid was given to 96 international students out of approximately 220. This average aid package is higher than Skidmore’s average aid package, which Director of Financial Aid, Beth Post-Lundquist, said was roughly $40,000 for a full year aid recipient in 2014-2015. Though, on average, international student aid packages might be higher, they represent less then ten percent of all Skidmore aid recipients. The Skidmore Grant is also higher for international students as they are not eligible for Federal and State financial aid funds.
When asked why Skidmore gives aid to international students (something Skidmore does significantly more then other colleges such as Fort Hays State University, whose average aid package for international students was only $1,061 or 12% of the average school tuition for out-of state students) Post-Lundquist said, “as expressed in Skidmore’s strategic plan, our priority initiatives give us clear direction to enhance the diversity of our student population as well as increase global awareness across the community.” The ranking is a good example of Skidmore following the strategic plan as Darren Drabek, Academic Counselor and Coordinator of International Student and Scholar Services, said, “ it [the ranking] says we are committed to making a Skidmore education accessible to more students and more students from around the world.”
Drabek, when asked what his initial reaction was to the ranking, said “we should feel proud that we are recognized for our efforts to make a Skidmore education accessible to students from around the world who cannot otherwise afford such opportunities.”
Subahan Ali, International Student and Scholar Advisor, talked about how without financial aid most international students receiving aid wouldn’t be able to attend Skidmore or most colleges in the US. “International students I advise who receive financial aid from Skidmore are extremely appreciative of opportunities they have been presented,” said Drabek.