According to NAFSA (Association of International Educators), more than two-thirds of international students in the US finance their education using their own resources and the resources of their family. However, what if those funds are limited? Is a US Education out of your reach? Studying In America investigates the true cost of a US education and the realities behind funding for international students.
Unfortunately, financial aid in the US is limited for International Students, therefore information about this subject can also be limited. However, there are still routes available:
Financial Aid From Your Home Country
Your own country is perhaps the best place to start for financial aid outside of your own pocket. Contact your local government and your Ministry of Education regarding sponsorships. You can also try national businesses, religious groups, foundations or charities for financial awards or sponsorships. Do be warned however, a sponsorship may often be reliant on your returning to your home country to work for this association after your studies. For any financial aid information contact your nearest Educational Advisory Center. They should be able to give you listings of any awards or sponsorship schemes available in your own country.
International Organizations
Contacting International Organizations such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations etc. are a good place to try for financial aid. It is also worth contacting the Fulbright Commission who offer thousands of scholarships to international students wishing to study in the USA each year www.fulbright.org .Be aware that should you be entering the USA on the back of a scholarship, this will change your visa status from an F-1to a J-1 status. For more information on how this may effect your time in the USA log onto: www.educationusa.state.gov
Private US Organisations and Sponsors
It is more common for you to find private sponsors in your home country than in the US. However, you can try this route. A good place to start is foreign newspapers or national or local US foundations, charities or associations. Awards may be available to subject specific or country specific students. The internet is probably your best place to source this material. Also, consider the degree you are taking. If this scheme is accredited by an official body then why not contact them and the related official bodies for advice on subject specific awards.
Aid From US Government
As with private sponsors aid for international students is limited. However, why not contact the US Department of State, the US Information Agency and the Agency for International Development. Once again, there may be awards available that are country or subject specific.
US Educational Institutions
Finally, the most obvious place to start your "funding hunt" is the institution you are considering studying at. Unfortunately graduate students in the United States seem to have more access to financial aid from US Educational Institutions than international undergraduate students. However both, it has to be said, are limited.
If Scholarships or awards are not available then ask your college or university if they offer exchange programmes. Often these packages will have financial aid incorporated within them. When contacting your university you should try your specific department as this is where most awards come from as they are usually subject specific. Also, try the Financial Aid Office, the Career and Planning Office as well as asking advice from the International Student Advisor who is there to offer you help and advice on all aspects of studying in the USA.
For graduate students many universities and colleges offer financial assistance in the form of financial assistantships and research assistantships. These however, are awarded on the student's academic merit rather than financial need. Be aware that should you be considering this route, you will need to have a TOEFL Score of 550 in English to teach. Unfortunately, little if any assistance can be give for TOEFL courses.
The Cost Of A US Education
The true cost of a US Education, which includes your living expenses, can vary greatly from the type of institution you are studying at, the length of your course and the State and area in which you live. The following table therefore is only a rough guide to the potential hidden costs which you will need to cover. It is also a great way to show how you can cover your expenses for visa entry and realistically consider where your can afford a US Education.
|
EXPENSES |
APPROXIMATE COST |
Actual Cost |
|
Application Fees |
$50 - $75 per schools |
$ |
|
Entrance Exams |
$500 - $1/200 per test |
$ |
|
Tuition Fees* |
Depending on institution allocate between $500-$30,000 per academic year (nine months) |
$ |
|
Books and Study Materials* |
Dependent on subject allocate $500 to $1,000 per academic year |
$ |
|
Travel Costs* |
Dependent on personal circumstances allocate approx $500-$2,000 per year |
$ |
|
Rental Accommodation* |
Dependent on quality of institution allocate $3,000 - $7,500 allow an extra $1,000- $2,000 for vacation periods when the dormitory might be closed. |
$ |
|
Food* |
$3,000 or more a year |
$ |
|
Health Insurance* |
$300 - $500 a year for one person and $2,000 to $3,5000 for a family |
$ |
|
Clothing* |
$500 or more a year |
$ |
|
Additional costs* |
Other family member, having a car etc, conversion rates to the dollar, inflation etc. |
$ |
|
|
Total cost for 1st year |
$.............. |
|
|
Overall cost * Repeat expenses for each year of study. For overall approximate cost times the total of 1st year by how many of years of study your program is. |
$............... |
Funding Advice
Information on funding in the USA is limited for International Students. Therefore, below is a list of useful publication and organizations who can offer invaluable advice on every funding opportunity available. Your USA education may only be a few steps away!
Useful Publications
Funding your US Study - A guide for International Students and Professionals
By Carol Weeg, Ellen Stern, Jim Bauer
Contact: Institution of International Education at:
E-mail: iiebooks@iie.org
Call: 001-301617-7804
International Student Handbook of US Colleges
College Board Publications
Box 886, New York, NY
10101-0886
Complete College Financing Guide 1995 3rd edition
By Marguerite J. Dennis
Contact: Baron's Educational Series
250 Wireless Blvd., Hauppauge,
NY 11788
Foundation Grants to Individuals, 9th edition,
Foundation Center,
79 5th Avenue,
8th Floor,
New York,
NY 10003.
Scholarships For Study In the USA and Canada
Peterson's
Call: 1-609-243-9111
Scholarships and Grants For Study Or Research
W.Wickremasinghe
American Collegiate Service
Call: 1-714-493-9863
Useful Orgaizations:
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
www.nafsa.org
Institute of International Education
www.iie.org
Council for International Educational Exchange (CIEE)
www.ciee.org
Council For International Exchange of Scholars (CIES)
www.cies.org
International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX)
www.irex.org
Rotary Foundation
www.rotaryfoundation.org
AAUW Education Fellowship
www.aauw.org
Support4learning
www.support4learning.org
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