Thread: Green card holder (from Ireland) worried about getting finan

Hi all,
Hope somebody can advise me?
Basically this is my story;
I have a Green Card, allthough I have never lived in th US. I got the green card via the lottery system (DV98 program.) I have visited the states SEVERAL time (2 months being my longest stay). I've kept my green card valid by my visits and also by getting a couple of re-entry permits (I have one at the moment that allows me to legally stay outside the US for up to 2 years).
My Aunt is a US citizen (she is retired now and lives in NM) (she also could be my 'next of kin' (long story).
So, to make a long story longer, I have applied to St.George's (I'm academically qualified ok), BUT, I have NO credit history in the US, ie I have never had a loan in the US , never paid taxes (because I never worked there ) etc. So this credit scoring I'm unsure about??
I do have a clean credit record in Ireland ok.
Q. Will I? Can I get financial aid????? I CAMMOT study for a MD otherwise, I just could'nt afford it?????
HELP

Dusty, Im waiting on a call from bay shore to see if they can tell me anything, but I suspect you might be ok for private loans if not federal loans. I do know my friend who is Irish with a greencard from the lottery did indeed get loans. He now resides in the US> You should know that I dont think you can practice in Ireland with an sgu degree, but probably in Northern Ireland since SGU grads Can practice in the UK> But you need to discuss the specifics of this with bay shore since Im not sure what the status is in Ireland with our grads. With a greencard you obviously can practice in the us. However be very careful about keeping the greencard up and making sure you get their ok to be out of the country. Some officers will take your card away from you if you dont have permission to "residing outside of the country" while holding a US greencard. I know someone this happened to even though he did visit at least once a year to keep the green card up. (Luckily he got another). good luck.
steph

im told by bay shore that if you have a green card you are eligible for us gov't loans. so no worries there.
steph

Steph,
Thanks for the info. GREATLY appreciated.
I am am currently out of the US courtesy of a re-entry permit. The re-entry permit legally allows me to legally reside outside of the US for up to 2 years (it's the 2nd re-entry permit I've got). So hopefuly there should not be a problem about re-entering the US.
As far as I know? I think there is an exam I must pass to practice medicine in Ireland. But I'll cross that bridge when I come to it, HOPEFULLY!
Thanks again.

sure thing. good luck.

BTW, if you currently don't have a US social security number/card, apply for them now so that when loan applications come, you have a SSN to put on it.

P

Yes I have the SSN and all that. Just hope I'm successful in obtaining 'enough' financial aid!