I'm an international student — can I use U.S. federal aid?
Straight answer: no — and it's worth saying clearly rather than leaving you to guess, because it's an easy thing to hope might be an exception. This applies at Five Branches and, from what we've seen, essentially every accredited TCM school: F-1/international students are not eligible for U.
Can international students use U.S. federal financial aid?
Straight answer: no — and it's worth saying clearly rather than leaving you to guess, because it's an easy thing to hope might be an exception. This applies at Five Branches and, from what we've seen, essentially every accredited TCM school: F-1/international students are not eligible for U.S. federal financial aid (Title IV programs). That's a firm federal-eligibility rule, not a school-specific policy choice, so it isn't something a particular school can waive.
That said, "no federal aid" doesn't mean "no way to fund it" — here's how the pieces usually fit together for international students:
| Funding piece | What it covers | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Federal aid (FAFSA, loans, grants) | — | Not available to international students |
| Financial Statement (for the I-20) | Proof of ~$35,000 for one academic year | Must show tuition + living costs; can be sponsor-signed |
| Per-dependent add-on | +$4,000–5,000 per dependent | Only if dependents need their own I-20 |
| Private/international student loans | Supplemental | Usually costs more than federal loans would |
| On-campus work / CPT | Limited income while enrolled | Capped at 20 hrs/week; CPT generally after one full academic year |
(Five Branches' own catalog figures above — the DAcHM-MAcHM-DAc-MAc Catalog and the separate Postgraduate DAOM Catalog, each last checked as of its own date; a school's own fees/aid pages are the place to confirm current numbers.)
One more thing worth flagging since you're international: DHS finalized a rule (effective September 15, 2026) replacing the old open-ended F-1 "Duration of Status" with a fixed admission period of up to 4 years, with different transition mechanics depending on whether you're a brand-new student or already in the U.S. This is general orientation, not advice on your situation — your school's DSO, USCIS, and a licensed immigration attorney are the right people to walk through exactly how it applies to you.
What's your situation — are you applying from abroad, or already studying in the U.S. on an F-1?
Sources
- Five Branches University — published materials checked 2026-07
- The school's own published catalog and website checked 2026-07
Last reviewed: