HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

You will need a minimum of US$12,000 to $18,000 per year to cover the costs of tuition, room and board, books, and personal expenses. Some universities cost well over US$30,000 per year. Very few awards are more than $5,000. The cost of studying in the United States varies widely among universities, and the cost of living varies from location to location. The chart below shows the range of costs that students can expect to find at various universities:
ITEM COST FOR ONE YEAR (2001-2002 estimates)

Tuition and Fees $3,500 - $27,000
Room and Board $4,000 - $14,000
Books and Supplies $500 - $1,000
Health Insurance $400 - $600
Personal Expenses $1,200 - $3,000
Tuition fees at private universities will usually be double the cost of state universities. Tuition at two-year colleges will generally be substantially less than a state university.


WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SCHOLARSHIP AND FINANCIAL AID?

A scholarship is a financial award based on merit: excellent academic performance, or perhaps community service or leadership. Financial aid is a grant based on the student's financial need, as documented by, family income, assets and other factors. There are also sports scholarships, awarded for recognized athletic ability. All types of scholarships and financial aid are extremely competitive and require outstanding academic records.


ARE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE?

Scholarships, grants and prizes are occasionally available through local organizations and your local American Embassy. Often colleges and universities are searching not only for bright students, but also for interesting and original candidates. If you have any special talent in fields such as music, sports, arts, student politics or others, make sure to mention it in your application.


IS FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE?

Each university or college makes its own decision about whether or not to grant financial aid. In general, there are very few financial aid opportunities available to foreign students, especially at the undergraduate level. Students with outstanding academic records and high SAT scores can be considered for financial aid. About 300 undergraduate institutions award significant (but usually partial) financial aid to international students. Through research at your educational advising center, you may develop a plan that maximizes your chances of admission with aid. Universities and colleges in the US may offer financial assistance to graduate students in the form of research or teaching assistantships. Funding may come as a tuition waiver or a monthly stipend for board and lodging, or both. Assistantships do not cover airfare to and from the U.S. The student should therefore look for additional funding to supplement his/her assistantship. To be competitive for assistantships, you must have a high score in the GRE or GMAT, excellent grades, strong recommendations and a clear, precise and interesting statement of purpose.

WHICH UNIVERSITIES OFFER THE MOST FINANCIAL AID?

Consult your local Educational Advising Center for access to publications such as The College Board's International Student Handbook or Peterson's Applying to Colleges and Universities in the United States and other publications. Write to the admissions office of universities that interest you and find out specific details of their financial aid programs such as amount of aid awarded to international students and any special requirements.


WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF BEING FULLY FUNDED AT THE GRADUATE LEVEL BY A UNIVERSITY?

Financial aid usually does not cover the full cost, so you should be prepared and also apply to other sources of assistance. First year students are less likely to receive assistance, and a few universities may restrict their funding to US citizens and residents. There are three main forms of university financial aid available:
· Teaching assistantships: For 20 hours a week, a graduate student may help a professor with lectures, lead class discussions, grade exam papers or teach freshmen (first-year) undergraduates. Take both the TOEFL and the TSE (Test of Spoken English) to demonstrate your English proficiency and write an extra application essay describing your teaching interests and experiences.
· Research Assistantships: RAs are hired by professors who have been awarded grants to conduct research. They are most common in the sciences are often available in the social sciences, and are rarely available in professional fields such as business or health professions. The number of positions available depends on the professors' ability to get research grants and are therefore more common at the leading research universities. The RA's workload varies widely but usually includes a tuition waiver and a stipend. The advantage of a research assistantship is that it can be related to the student's thesis or long-term academic interests. RA's are chosen for their demonstrated research and interpersonal skills; computer ability, writing skills, and teamwork are three essential qualifications. To get an RA, study the curriculum of each university to which you are applying, and identify the professors whose research interests most closely parallel your own. Write an intelligent letter to any professor who could serve as your advisor, describe your previous research experience and interests, and tell him or her why you would be a productive member of the research team. A superior academic record and GPE scores are also essential to a successful RA application.
· Fellowships: Fellowships are normally awarded to students admitted in a Ph.D. program. They entail no work responsibilities and may cover the cost of tuition and fees plus a stipend. Full fellowship support for the duration of a program is rare and will generally be combined with an assistantship. All aid is awarded on a year-by-year basis but should be forthcoming if the minimum GPA is maintained.


CAN I WORK WHILE STUDYING IN THE U.S.?

It is not easy to get a job as a foreign student in the USA, especially at the undergraduate level. You cannot rely on employment to pay for your education in the U.S. Working off-campus is illegal and can lead to deportation from the U.S. On-campus employment for international students is limited to 20 hours per week, usually at minimum wage. You can expect to earn between $1000 and $2000 a year in an administrative position, which is enough to pay for books, clothing, and personal expenses. This will not be enough to pay for your tuition, fees or living expenses while in the USA. Jobs are offered on university campuses through the International Students' Office, Housing Services, the catering services, the Library, etc.

CAN I GET A LOAN TO PAY FOR MY U.S. EDUCATION?


It is difficult and most of the time impossible for a foreign student to get a loan from an American bank or organization. However, some foreign students have been successful in getting loans through the help of family members or ethnic organizations in the U.S. If you are looking for a loan, it is recommended you do this in your home country, not in the USA. Before taking a loan, make certain you know how you are going to repay, it, and how a loan will affect your plans for graduate study and returning home.
In general, financial aid for international students at the undergraduate level is less available than assistance for students at the graduate level and beyond. For strategies, tips and advice, try these sites:

Financial aid guidance from Edupass.org; be sure to read about scholarship offers that seem too good to be true.


International Education Financial Aid offers a searchable database of grants and scholarships, as does FastWeb.