In addition to airfare and visa application fees, international students cover a long list of costs, including fees, tuition, books, housing, and travel when studying in colleges and universities in the United States.
Fortunately, there are ways for these students to reduce their cost of attending school.
For instance, talented international students can benefit from financial aid from grants or scholarships provided by a growing list of higher learning institutions.
According to the College Board Annual Survey of Colleges, the number of institutions offering aid and the amount of funding provided has been on a steady increase. As per the survey, a total of $796 million was provided by 701 schools during the 2011/12 academic year. The figures went up to $1.16 billion awarded by 815 schools during the 2014/15 year.
However, it is worth noting that students enrolling in graduate programs are more likely to secure funding than those applying for undergraduate courses. According to the same survey, a greater proportion (36 percent) of overseas students attending private institutions receive funding than their counterparts (13 percent) in public schools.
Information on financial aid programs, including need and merit-based aid, can be found on the websites of individual institutions.
Other Types of Financial Aid
For those who do not secure institutional aid, here’s a list of options to consider.
Federal Programs
The most common form of funding for U.S. college students is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Access to this federal financial aid program is highly restricted when it comes to learners from other countries. A FAFSA application can only be submitted by students who have a Social Security Number or Alien Registration Number. The funding is only available to permanent residents including immigrants who were abused by U.S. citizens and their children, former victims of human trafficking, and students with a green card.
Work-Study Programs
Students can also take up part-time jobs on campus through the work-study programs provided by some schools. With these programs, students can gain some much-needed hands-on working experience while earning extra money to fund their education. To find out if their university of choice offers such programs, interested learners can visit their school’s website. Students should also check to see if their visa allows them to work in the U.S. before pursuing work-study programs.
Country-Specific Scholarship Programs
It is common for foreign governments to send their best and brightest abroad to sharpen their skills and knowledge so that they can come back home and apply what they learn. Students should check with their local government to find out whether such programs exist.
Private Scholarships
Overseas students can also receive financial assistance from private organizations that specialize in this field. There is an ever-growing list of organizations offering private scholarships to international learners including:
- Fulbright Program for Foreign Students— Each year, this program benefits about 4,000 international students looking to study in the States. The requirements for eligibility vary from country to country.
- The Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarships— This program funds Master’s students from developing nations pursuing a course related to development.
Start Evaluating Your Financial Aid Options Now
Studying in the U.S. can be very expensive for overseas students. However, students who are willing to take the first step, do lots of research and carefully prepare applications, can tap into the many resources and funding opportunities available.
Ready to start evaluating your financial aid options and learn how to get financial aid for college? Contact BEIS today to find out more about how we can help.
