Janice Lozano
International students have a variety of options for continuing their education or beginning their careers in the United States after completing a bachelor's degree. They can pursue further education by applying for a higher degree, such as a master's or doctoral program, or they may even choose to pursue a second bachelor's degree in a different field. Additionally, international students can explore employment opportunities in the US after graduation, either by obtaining work authorization or applying for a work visa. The process of transferring between universities or switching academic programs varies across institutions, and financial aid options for international transfer students differ among colleges. Understanding the specific requirements and restrictions is crucial for international students considering their options after obtaining a bachelor's degree.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can international students apply for a lower degree after a bachelor's? | Yes, international students can transfer to a different college or university, or they can transfer to a lower degree program at the same institution. |
| Transferring to a different college or university | Most US colleges and universities accept international transfer students. International students can transfer to a new school to complete a lower degree or explore different subjects. |
| Transferring to a lower degree at the same institution | An international student who finishes a bachelor's degree and starts a lower degree program at the same institution may be able to continue on-campus employment if they plan to enroll for the next term and maintain their student status. |
| Financial aid | Applying as an international transfer student may affect eligibility for financial aid. Some colleges offer scholarships specifically for international transfer students, while others only provide financial aid to first-year international applicants. |
| Work authorization | International students transferring to a lower degree may have their existing work authorization canceled. They may need to reapply for work authorization, such as OPT or CPT, at their new school. |
| Admission requirements | Transfer students may have different admissions requirements, application deadlines, and decision notification dates than first-time applicants. International transfer students may need to meet specific English proficiency requirements. |
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What You'll Learn
International students can transfer between US colleges
To transfer between US colleges, international students should contact each school's international student services office for detailed information on transfer policies and procedures. While some schools may allow transfers at any time, others may only accept transfer students who have completed a certain number of years of study. Transfer students may also have different admissions requirements, application deadlines, and notification dates than first-time applicants, including varying English proficiency requirements.
It is important for international students to start the transfer process early, as course evaluations and credit transfers can take time. Additionally, transferring schools may affect eligibility for financial aid, as some colleges only offer financial aid to first-year international applicants, while others provide scholarships specifically for international transfer students. Any student work authorization, such as OPT or CPT, will be canceled on the transfer release date, and transferring will not extend the allotted OPT time.
To initiate the transfer process, students should apply to their desired colleges as transfer international students. They should then request their current school's Designated School Official (DSO) at the International Student Services Office (ISSO) to transfer their SEVIS record to the new school and provide any necessary paperwork. Finally, they will need to request a new I-20 form from the DSO at the new school and register for classes within 15 days of the program start date.
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Transferring colleges may affect financial aid eligibility
International students can apply to transfer to another college in the US, and many colleges accept international transfer students. Transferring colleges may be a good option for international students who are still deciding on their major or who find that their current college is not a good fit. However, transferring colleges can have implications for financial aid eligibility, and students should be aware of these potential impacts before making the decision to transfer.
Firstly, students should be aware that their financial aid package from their current college may not automatically follow them to their new college. Most scholarships and some grants are specific to an institution, so transferring colleges may result in losing this funding. Additionally, the cost of attendance at a college is a factor in determining financial aid awards and eligibility for student loans. Therefore, the amount of financial aid a student is eligible for may change when transferring to a college with a significantly higher or lower cost of attendance.
Secondly, the timing of the transfer can impact financial aid eligibility. Transferring mid-year may cause students to miss out on state grants or other forms of aid that are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. On the other hand, transferring after completing a full academic year might increase the likelihood of retaining certain types of aid. Students receiving federal student loans at their current college will need to go through exit counselling to understand how their loans will be affected by the transfer.
Thirdly, the transfer of credits between colleges can impact financial aid eligibility. If not all credits transfer, a student may be placed in a lower grade level at their new college, resulting in reduced eligibility for federal loans. Transferring colleges may also cause students to take longer to graduate, affecting how far their financial aid will stretch in paying for their entire degree.
To make an informed decision about transferring colleges, students should carefully review their financial aid options and consider how the transfer will impact their credits, graduation timeline, and overall costs. Students should also research the financial aid policies and packages offered by their prospective colleges, including any scholarships or grants specifically for international transfer students.
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Student work authorisations may be cancelled on transfer
International students can apply to transfer to another university in the US, and most US colleges and universities accept international transfer students. This is a good option for students who are still deciding on their major or who want to explore different subjects before committing to a four-year programme.
International students can transfer after completing one semester or up to three years of study, depending on the requirements of the school they are transferring to. They may also have different admissions requirements, application deadlines, and decision notification dates than first-time applicants. For example, the transfer school may have different English proficiency requirements for international student admissions.
Students may need to transfer to a different school to finish their bachelor's degree if their current school does not offer the courses they need. However, applying as an international transfer student may affect eligibility for financial aid, as some colleges and universities only give financial aid to international students if they are first-year applicants.
Students with work authorisations may need to be aware that any work authorisations (such as OPT or CPT) that they have through their original school will be cancelled on their transfer release date. An F-1 student can work at the transfer-out school up to the transfer release date but not after. To continue working off-campus after the transfer, the student must apply at the transfer-in school. A designated school official (DSO) at the transfer-in school must review the student's circumstances and make new recommendations. The student will have to file a new Form I-765 with supporting documents and fees.
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Transfer students may have different admissions requirements
International students can apply to transfer to another university, and many US colleges and universities accept international transfer students. This is a good option for students who are still deciding on their major or who want to change their focus. Transferring can also improve a student's overall college experience or better prepare them for their career.
Additionally, transfer students may have different application deadlines and decision notification dates. For example, some schools may have a final deadline for transfer students applying to certain programs, such as BFA programs. Transfer applicants may also need to submit high school transcripts, especially if applying for a higher-requirement degree program.
It is worth noting that transferring universities as an international student may affect eligibility for financial aid. Some colleges and universities only offer financial aid to international first-year applicants, not transfer applicants, while others offer scholarships specifically to international transfer students. Therefore, it is important for international students to check each school's financial aid policies before applying.
Overall, transferring universities as an international student is a feasible option, but it is important to carefully research and understand the specific requirements and processes of the desired transfer institution.
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International students can work in the US post-graduation
International students can work in the US both during their studies and after graduation. However, there are several regulations that must be followed.
One way for international students to work in the US post-graduation is through on-campus employment. If an F-1 student finishes a bachelor's degree and immediately starts another program of study at the same campus, they may continue on-campus employment as long as they plan to enrol in the new program for the next term. Their total work hours cannot exceed 20 hours during the school term, but they may work full-time during periods when school is not in session or during annual breaks.
Another option is to obtain work authorization through Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows graduates to work in their field of study for up to 12 months, extendable by 24 months for STEM fields. To be eligible for the STEM OPT extension, the graduate's employer must be enrolled in the E-Verify program. The graduate must also be deemed eligible for the program by USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) and their employment must be related to their field of study.
International students can also seek off-campus employment by obtaining a work visa such as the H-1B visa. However, this can be challenging due to the limited number of visas issued annually and the competitive nature of the application process. Obtaining a work visa often requires employer sponsorship.
Additionally, international students can explore the option of obtaining a Green Card permit, which can be obtained through various means such as employer sponsorship or family sponsorship.
Lastly, community colleges in the US often accept international students and offer a more affordable education. Transferring to a four-year institution after completing an associate degree at a community college can be a viable option for international students looking to continue their education and improve their career prospects.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can apply to community colleges, which offer two-year associate degree programs. This is a good option for students who are still deciding on their major.
The process varies by school and program, so it is best to contact the international student services office for details. Some schools accept transfer students at any time, while others require a minimum or maximum amount of time spent at the previous institution.
Any student work authorization, such as OPT or CPT, will be canceled on your transfer release date. If you have already secured an internship through your original school, ensure that your transfer release date is after the internship ends.
