回複：Blwinter, your kid applied for college by intl student?

Yes. She got all-state scholarship because her 485 was pending,and she also applied AP with a parolee stamp. In this case, she qualified for the Federal Aid. However, most private colleges consider her as an international applicant as she didn't get the real card at that time.

I am not sure whether it is harder or not as an international applicant, but will be certainly harder if you apply FA from most IVY colleges where international applicant is NOT need-blind.