The primary source of funding for studying in the US is a scholarship. Scholarships from institutions, the government, and the commercial sector are available. Even though they are extremely tough, if you have remarkable accomplishments and know how to write a strong application, your chances of being accepted are fairly good.
The first thing you can do, if studying in the US is your ultimate goal, is research less expensive US universities. The easiest way to obtain money is to apply for scholarships, therefore you should think about doing so as well. Although there are private scholarships available, many colleges also provide their own. Additional financial assistance choices encompass government loans, private loans, and work-study initiatives. However, the ability to apply for federal loans (FAFSA) is restricted by stringent guidelines. Let’s take a closer look at each kind of financial help that is offered to foreign students studying in the United States.
Applying For A Scholarship In The U.S.
Institutional Aid: Talented international students can apply for grants or scholarships from numerous colleges and universities in the USA. Each school offers a different kind and quantity of aid. While some universities give scholarships for athletics, others offer scholarships for the arts or academics. Verify immediately on the university’s page whether you are eligible to apply.
Private Scholarships: International students can apply for scholarships offered by numerous private organizations. Among the well-known ones are:
-United World Colleges (UWC) Scholarships are awarded to more than 10,000 students annually at a consortium of 18 colleges worldwide;
-Students from developing nations who wish to study for a master’s degree in a field related to development at one of the 27 partner universities in the US, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan are eligible for the Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarships.
-Approximately 4,000 scholarships are awarded by the Fulbright Program for Foreign Students to foreign students each year who wish to study in the United States. The requirements for eligibility vary based on your country of origin.
Country-Specific Scholarships: Scholarships are provided by some nations to students wishing to study overseas. These are typically given to outstanding students or to programs in fields where the nation lacks highly trained professionals. To find out if such programs are offered in your area, contact your local government.
Below are a few additional student financial aid options:
Work-Study Programs: Under certain work-study programs, students are able to work part-time employment on campus. This is a great chance for you to earn some extra cash to help with expenses and obtain work experience at the same time. Verify the university’s website if such programs are offered, and confirm that you are able to work with your current visa.
Private Loans: International students can apply for loans from a number of US private legal lenders. These lenders are rare, though, and they typically want a creditworthy co-signer who is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
Federal Loans: Financial aid for domestic US students is primarily obtained through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Their tuition is partially covered by this loan, which they must begin repaying six months after graduation. Because of the lower interest rates and the ability to customize the repayment schedule based on income, it is a more appealing option than a private loan.
Nevertheless, only a limited number of international students fall under the FAFSA’s restrictions. These include:
-Students with a green card (US permanent residents)
-Foreign nationals who were mistreated by US residents (battered immigrant-qualified aliens status), their offspring, or former victims of human trafficking (T nonimmigrant status).
In order to apply for financial assistance, you must have either an Allien Registration Number, which is obtained as a non-citizen who resides permanently in the US, or a Social Security Number, which is only available to US citizens. You cannot complete this application if you do not have one of these numbers. Because of this, international students are only occasionally approved for FAFSA.
Universities That Offer Scholarships To International Students In The U.S.
George Mason University Fairfax County, Virginia: Undergraduate first-year F-1 visa holders are eligible for the #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship offered by this university. This scholarship pays for half of the tuition and is renewable based on the student’s academic standing.
University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona: Wildcat Award: Based on merit, this prize is available to students enrolled in hybrid, online, and on-campus programs.
Arizona State University Phoenix, Arizona: Scholarships at New American University (NAMU) are awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement.
Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia: Merit-based scholarships are exclusively offered by this university in the fall semester. Only in-state expenses are covered.
University of South Florida Tampa, Florida: Scholarships at this university are awarded on the basis of merit to freshmen and transfer students accepted in the autumn semester.
Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado: International freshmen applying for admission to this university for the spring or fall semester are eligible for merit-based scholarships.
University of Alabama Birmingham, Alabama: International students can apply for departmental and freshman scholarships at this university.
West Virginia University Morgantown, West Virginia: Scholarships are offered by this university to transfer or first-year students.
Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon: For international students, this university offers merit-based and geographical availability-based scholarships.
Saint Louis University St. Louis, Missouri: For international students, this university offers competitive and merit-based scholarships.