← All articles

Understanding University & Scholarship Applications: What Every Family Should Know

The sticker price of a top US or Canadian university can look impossible — often USD 85,000 or more per year. But at the need-blind universities AFEX Hub targets, most admitted students receive substantial scholarship and financial aid, and international students are considered on the same basis as domestic applicants.

Need-based aid vs merit-based aid

At the elite universities we work with, aid is almost always need-based — awarded purely on financial circumstance, not academic merit. Every admitted student is treated equally in aid eligibility, regardless of nationality.

Applying for aid does not affect admission

Need-blind universities review your application without knowing your financial need, so applying for aid never counts against you. This is a key reason we prioritise need-blind and full-need schools for families seeking support.

What determines your award

Aid packages weigh parent income, assets, family size, and the number of children in college at once. Term-time work-study is a common (small) component families are expected to contribute.

Financial planning is part of every AFEX Hub consultation — we help families understand real cost before building a school list, not after.

Plan your path with AFEX Hub.

Book a strategic consultation and turn insight into an action plan.

Book a Consultation →

More from AFEX Hub