Education Information Center

Funding for international students to study in the US is very limited. More than 60% of the foreign students in the U.S.A. pay for their education themselves, 80% of international students studying for their first degrees in the US are funded by their families. Although aid is available from US universities for international students, you should note that full funding is rare unless you have academic, athletic or artistic talent.

Therefore, the students should make their financial plan at least 12 month before expected arrival in the U.S. It is important to find out how much money can be supplied from personal or family resources.

The I-20 form is essential to apply for the F1 student visa at the US Embassy or Consulate. The visa officials will ask for the proof of finances before they can issue a visa. The university will not be able to issue the form I-20 until they receive a proof that the students have the money to pay for at least the first year of study.

Costs

The prospective students should estimate all possible the costs: tuition fees, living expenses, travel to and from the US, health insurance, books, etc.

Financial aid sources

The private foundations, associations and firms can be a good source for scholarships but you the deadlines for financial aid applications usually fall 9 to 12 months in advance of the September in which you plan to start the studies.

The World Wide Web is also a good place to search for funding.

Some help for foreign students may also be available from the university department but it is usually in the form of Graduate, Teaching or Research Assistantships. The students may work for the department for up to 20 hours per week and a tuition waiver (full or partial) and possibly a living allowance is the form of payment they usually get.

Applying for Financial Aid

Once the students have received written confirmation from the university, it is a good idea to ask the university or a particular professor or the department about the possibility of assistantship.

If you speak another foreign language fluently or are a talented musician/athlete/dancer, etc., find out if the university has departments that match your skills and ask if they need graduate assistants. They may be willing to provide an assistantship even if you are doing a program in another department.

Also enquire with the housing office to see if they need any resident assistants. These positions provide free board and lodging in campus in return for administrative duties.

Aid from the US Government - see Fulbright Program
For More Information - see Financial Aid Resources