International Students' Strategies For Affording Public Universities

International students face significant financial challenges when pursuing higher education in the US, with tuition and living expenses amounting to tens of thousands of dollars annually. While US federal student aid is not available to them, international students can explore various options to fund their studies at public universities. These include personal and family funds, scholarships, assistantships, on-campus employment, merit-based awards, need-based aid, and loans. Understanding these options is crucial for international students to secure the necessary financial support and realise their dream of studying in the US.

Scholarships

There are many scholarships available for international students. For example, the Fulbright Foreign Student Program is a government-funded scholarship that offers international students the opportunity to study in the US for one year or more. The American Association of University Women also offers fellowships for non-American women who want to earn 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 who are dedicated to fostering social change.

Other scholarships for international students include the David P. Shapiro Autism Scholarship, which is worth US$1,000 and is open to current or prospective students in the US diagnosed with autism. The Preply Scholarship is open to all students, awarding three winners with up to $2,000. The Surfshark Privacy and Security Scholarship is a $2,000 prize available to high school, undergraduate, or graduate students enrolled in the US or another study destination. The Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship is awarded twice a year to passionate international students wishing to study in the US, worth US$1,000.

There are also university-specific scholarships for international students. For example, the University of Southern California offers a variety of scholarships, some of which are full-tuition, but most are one-time awards. Harvard University also offers a range of competitive international scholarships for students from all over the world.

To find scholarships, you can use online scholarship search tools, such as those provided by eduPASS and International Student. These websites allow you to search for scholarships by location, field of study, or university name. Fastweb is another great resource, providing access to 1.5 million scholarships worth $3.4 billion.

Personal and family funds

There are a few ways that students can use personal and family funds to pay for their education. Firstly, students can use their own personal income from employment or other sources to cover their tuition and living expenses. However, it is important to note that nonimmigrant students are not eligible for federal work-study positions, and there are strict limits on the type and amount of work they can do in the US. Therefore, employment may not be a feasible option for all international students.

Another way that students can use personal and family funds is by taking out private loans. Some US banks and finance companies will lend to international students, but they may require a co-signer who is a creditworthy US citizen. These loans typically come with interest, which can add significantly to the cost of borrowing.

Additionally, students can also use their family's wealth, such as jewellery, real estate, or other assets, as collateral for an education loan. This can help them secure funding for their studies, but it is a significant financial risk for the family.

It is important to note that the cost of attendance at a US university includes more than just tuition. There are also costs for room and board, travel, health insurance, textbooks, and other personal expenses. Therefore, students and their families should carefully consider all the expenses involved before deciding to rely on personal and family funds to finance their education.

Assistantships

There are three types of graduate assistantships:

• Graduate Assistant (GA): A GA works with and assists students daily, primarily in an administrative capacity with a faculty member or school coach. They are not required to teach but may be asked to perform clerical duties depending on the faculty's needs.
• Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA): A GTA teaches and mentors undergraduate students and, in rare cases, master's and doctoral candidates. This role allows GTAs to gain depth in their academic discipline.
• Graduate Research Assistant (GRA): A GRA is employed to aid in the research of a faculty member, contributing to their career and educational development. The research project typically culminates in a professional paper, thesis, or dissertation.

GAs are typically awarded by a specific graduate course or college, so it is essential to contact the department or college to learn about available positions and application processes.

To be eligible for an assistantship, students must meet specific academic qualifications, maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA), and enrol full-time during the appointed semester(s). Some universities may also require international students to meet appropriate verbal test scores if English is not their primary language.

Graduate assistantships are not only a means of funding but also provide valuable professional development opportunities. They allow students to build skills that are sought after by employers and demonstrate their preparedness to contribute to their field of study.

On-campus employment

There are various roles that international students can take on-campus, such as tutoring, working in the library, or being a resident assistant (RA). Students can also take on teaching assistant (TA) or research assistant (RA) roles, which often come with a stipend and can cover part of your tuition fees.

Students can contact their academic department or the relevant office on campus to find out about on-campus work opportunities. It's also worth noting that graduate students typically have more options for on-campus employment, such as teaching or research positions.

Loans

International students should be aware that private loans typically come with interest, which can significantly increase the cost of borrowing. It is important to thoroughly research and compare the rates and terms offered by various loan providers.

The Rowe Fund program, offered by the Organization of American States, provides interest-free loans to students from Latin American and Caribbean countries to help finance their final two years of undergraduate studies in the US.

Some students may also take out loans in their home country. For example, one student from India commented that their "paperwork has reduced by a lot" for an education loan from their home country.

In addition to private loans, international students can also consider applying for merit-based scholarships, need-based scholarships, and grants.

Frequently asked questions