Savanna Hoffman
International students often face additional costs on top of tuition and fees, such as visa application fees, health insurance, and travel expenses. While funding opportunities for international students can be limited, there are several financial aid options available, including scholarships, grants, fellowships, and private international student loans. Some universities may also provide financial aid or waive application fees for international students. International students may also be eligible for merit or need-based aid, although they typically do not qualify for federal or state aid in the US.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| International students' eligibility for federal aid | Not eligible for federal or state aid in the US |
| International students' eligibility for private loans | Eligible for private international student loans |
| International students' eligibility for scholarships | Eligible for scholarships |
| International students' eligibility for grants | Eligible for grants |
| International students' eligibility for merit-based aid | Eligible for merit-based aid |
| International students' eligibility for need-based aid | Eligible for need-based aid, but with certain conditions and limitations |
| International students' eligibility for institutional aid | Eligible for institutional aid, but requirements vary by institution |
| International students' eligibility for work | Eligible for part-time, on-campus employment with F-1 status; work restrictions with J-1 and M-1 status |
| International students' eligibility for tuition discounts | Private institutions may offer discounts; public institutions rarely do |
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What You'll Learn
International scholarships
International students often face additional costs on top of tuition and fees, housing, books, and other supplies when studying abroad. These can include visa application fees and international airfare. While earning an education abroad can be expensive, there are ways for international students to reduce their total cost of attendance. Although funding for them is often more limited, international students may qualify for certain types of merit or need-based aid.
International students do not qualify for federal or state aid and usually use personal and other financial resources to cover tuition and expenses. However, there are scholarships, grants, and loan programs available for international students. International students can search for these opportunities by location, subject of study, student origin, or award name.
- The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship provides scholarships to students from select developing countries who have no other source of financial help for their graduate studies.
- The American Association of University Women offers fellowships for non-American women seeking a Master's or doctorate in the USA. Priority is given to women who demonstrate a commitment to the advancement of women and girls.
- The Civil Society Leadership Awards offer full scholarships for Master's students from specific countries dedicated to fostering social change.
- The P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship awards scholarships to women from other countries earning graduate degrees in the USA.
- The Foreign Fulbright Student Program offers scholarships for graduate students from around the world to study in the USA.
- The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program provides comprehensive financial coverage to students from developing countries applying for a development-related Master's program.
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Private international student loans
International students have access to fewer student loan options than most domestic borrowers. Unless they are eligible non-citizens who can qualify for federal student loans, they may need to borrow from a private lender.
- MPOWER Financing
- Prodigy Finance Student Loan
- Ascent Funding
- Sallie Mae
- College Ave
- Brazos
- EDvestinU
- Custom Choice Loan
- Advantage Education
- SoFi
- One American Bank
- FinWise Bank
These private lenders offer loans with various terms and conditions, such as requiring a co-signer or residency card. For example, MPOWER Financing offers loans without a co-signer, while Ascent Funding requires a creditworthy co-signer who lives in the US.
It is important to note that the availability of private loans may vary depending on the country and institution. Additionally, international students are advised to explore other financial aid options before borrowing money, such as scholarships, fellowships, or grants. They can also consider pursuing on-campus employment or starting their studies at a community college before transferring to a four-year institution to reduce costs.
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Grants and fellowships
International students are not eligible for federal loans or grants, but they do have access to private international student loans to fund their studies in the USA. International students can also apply for scholarships, grants, and fellowships.
- Fulbright Commission and Other Organizations: The Fulbright Commission is a well-known organization that provides grants to students worldwide. Many other international organizations also offer grants and fellowships. These opportunities are often highly competitive, and students may need to apply from their home countries.
- University Fellowships and Assistantships: Many U.S. colleges and universities offer limited financial aid for international students. Most of the institutional aid available to international students is for graduate study and comes in the form of assistantships and fellowships. These positions provide a stipend or tuition waiver in exchange for research or teaching assistance.
- Grants for Specific Fields: Some grants and fellowships are designated for specific fields of study. For example, grants may be available for international students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields.
- Merit-Based Grants: International students may qualify for merit-based grants offered by universities or private organizations. These grants recognize exceptional academic achievement, leadership qualities, or other outstanding talents.
- Need-Based Grants: While international students are not eligible for federal need-based grants, some universities may offer their own need-based grants or waivers for international students facing financial hardships.
- Country-Specific Grants: Some grants and fellowships are specifically targeted at students from certain countries or regions. These opportunities may be funded by governments, universities, or private organizations with specific international education goals.
- Application and Eligibility: Grants and fellowships often have rigorous application processes. Students may need to submit essays, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and proof of financial need. Eligibility criteria can vary, so it is essential to review the requirements for each grant or fellowship carefully.
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Merit-based aid
International students face additional costs compared to their domestic peers, such as visa application fees and international airfare, on top of tuition and fees, housing, books, and other supplies. Although funding for international students is often more limited, they may qualify for certain types of merit-based aid.
Merit aid is a form of college financial aid that does not consider a student's financial need but is instead awarded based on academic, athletic, artistic, leadership, or special-interest merit. The average merit award to full-time undergraduates among 1,032 ranked colleges that provided this information to U.S. News in an annual survey was $12,088 in the 2022-2023 academic year. Merit aid might cover a student's entire tuition or be a one-time award of a few hundred dollars.
Students can receive merit scholarships for good grades, high test scores, and participation in extracurricular activities. For example, Syracuse University offers three merit scholarships to recognize academic achievement for top students admitted to programs across the University. The 1870 Scholarship is the highest recognition offered by the Office of Admissions. Named for the year in which the university was founded, prospective recipients are evaluated for academic and creative accomplishments, as well as personal achievement and commitment in community service. Similarly, first-time-in-college international students at Howard University in Washington, D.C., can qualify for merit aid through Howard University Freshman Scholarships, which expire after four years of enrollment.
At public schools, out-of-state students generally receive more merit aid than in-state students. In the 2022-2023 academic year, the average amount of merit aid awarded to out-of-state students was $8,886, based on data reported to U.S. News by 338 ranked public institutions. In comparison, the average for in-state students was $4,975, according to data from 348 schools. Merit aid is often used to offer more competitive award packages to attract students from other states.
While minimal scholarship aid is available to international students, and most of it is reserved for graduate study, some public and private universities offer financial incentives for students to attend their institution. Most of the institutional aid available to international students is reserved for graduate study in the form of assistantships and fellowships.
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Work opportunities
International students are not eligible for US federal aid such as Stafford Loans or Plus Loans. However, there are work opportunities that can help them fund their education. Here are some suggestions:
On-Campus Employment
On-campus employment is a great option for international students seeking to offset the cost of their education. Students with an F-1 visa status, which is the most common for full-time international students, are allowed to work part-time on campus for up to 20 hours per week. Similarly, those with a J-1 visa status can also work on campus with permission from their exchange visitor program sponsor. Some universities offer work-study programs where students can work part-time jobs within the campus community. These opportunities not only provide a source of income but also allow students to gain valuable work experience.
Scholarships and Grants
International students can explore scholarships and grants offered by universities and private organizations. Many colleges and universities in the US provide scholarships to talented international students based on merit or need. These scholarships could be academic, athletic, or artistic, depending on the institution. Private organizations also offer scholarships specifically for international students. Additionally, free scholarship databases are available, providing information on private, corporate, nonprofit, and government scholarship funds serving undergraduate international students.
Assistantships and Fellowships
Graduate international students may have the opportunity to secure assistantships and fellowships within their academic departments. These positions can provide financial support while also offering valuable experience in teaching or research.
Private Loans
International students can also consider taking out private loans from legal lenders in the US. However, these loans typically require a creditworthy co-signer who is a US citizen or permanent resident. Financial aid experts advise caution when taking on significant debt through this method.
While international students may face challenges in accessing financial aid, these work opportunities and funding sources can help make their educational goals more attainable. It is important to carefully research and prepare applications to increase the chances of securing the necessary funding.
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Frequently asked questions
International students do have access to financial aid, but it is often more limited than that of domestic students. International students are not eligible for federal or state aid in the US, for example.
International students can access scholarships, grants, fellowships, and private student loans. Some universities may also offer financial incentives for students to attend their institution.
To apply for financial aid, international students may be required to fill out the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) or the CSS Profile, which is used by private colleges. Some universities may also have their own forms.
International students can take out private loans, although many financial aid experts advise against taking on too much debt. Students can also pursue on-campus employment after their first year of study.
On top of tuition and fees, international students face additional costs such as visa application fees, health insurance, international airfare, and travel to and from their home country.
