Financial Assistance

The United States government does not provide student assistance to non-citizens except in the limited case of federal exchange programs and some research opportunities for scientists and mid-career professionals. Students who come to the United States to study for diplomas or degrees are expected to be able to pay for their study visits using their own resources plus assistance from their countries or private sources.

Financial assistance information is often provided by organizations that sponsor exchanges or specialize in international mobility opportunities for various educational levels. Check the other resource pages under Studying in the United States.

The U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) do not provide direct financial assistance to non-U.S. nationals seeking to study in the United States. Please do not request money or support from them or from USNEI.


Assistance From Your Country

For information on national sources of assistance for studying abroad that many countries provide to their citizens, go to the country menu at National Information Sources.

U.S. Exchange Programs

For information on federal government-sponsored exchange programs, go to Student Exchanges.

U.S. Institutional Assistance

Many U.S. institutions have their own assistance resources and sponsor international students directly. To locate links to U.S. institutions, go to U.S. Institutions.

International Education Financial Aid (IEFA) provides a searchable database of scholarships, fellowships, and other assistance available from specific U.S. colleges and universities. The award descriptions indicate whether non-U.S. students are eligible.

General Assistance Information

College Board Scholarship Service provides a searchable database for financial assistance that includes information for non-U.S. students as well as U.S. students. It can be searched by specific field of study, institution, and degree level.

EduPASS Financial Aid for International Students is the international assistance home page for FinAid, a well-known domestic U.S. financial aid web site. EduPASS provides general guidance information on financing a U.S. education and links to resources for locating financial assistance.

FastAid Scholarship Search is a searchable database of scholarships around the world, including the United States. It is a free service but requires you to create a login profile.

FastWeb is a searchable database for locating U.S. financial assistance opportunities. It is a free service but requires you to create a login profile. In addition, you may be placed on a listserv for announcements unless you choose to opt out (there is a place to do this).

International Education Finance Corporation (IEFC) provides information and online application guidance for the International Student Loan Program (ISLP), which requires applicants to have a qualified U.S. co-sponsor and meet other stated requirements.

Financial Fraud Alerts

U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Scholarship Scams provides guidance on how to avoid student financial assistance frauds and information on federal government efforts to combat this practice.

FinAid: Scholarship Scams provides good information on how to avoid being fooled by fraudulent financial assistance offers and organizations. While the information is aimed at U.S. nationals, the advice is universally.