Lana Oconnell
International students often face challenges when it comes to affording college, especially in the United States, where universities are among the world's most expensive. While some international students rely on financial support from their families, others may not have the economic means to pursue higher education overseas. However, there are various options available to help international students fund their studies, including scholarships, grants, loans, and assistantships. Understanding the different types of financial aid, such as need-based and merit-based aid, is crucial for international students to make their dream of studying abroad a reality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average tuition fees for international students in the US | Public colleges: $26,000 per year; Private colleges: $32,000 per year |
| Affordability of US colleges for international students | US universities are among the world's most expensive |
| Financial aid for international students | Need-based and merit-based aid; Research and teaching assistance programs; Grants and scholarships; Loans |
| Colleges' financial aid policies | Need-blind; Need-aware; Meet full demonstrated need but are need-aware |
| Affordability strategies | Attending community college first, then transferring to a four-year college |
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What You'll Learn
Scholarships and grants
Private colleges, in particular, tend to offer more scholarships, and can sometimes be more affordable than public colleges, despite higher initial fees. Graduate programs are also more likely to offer scholarships and assistantships than undergraduate programs.
You can also look for scholarships and grants from sources outside of your college. Some scholarships are awarded based on merit, for example, by winning contests and competitions. There are also grants and scholarships specifically for international students. Additionally, research and teaching assistant programs can provide paid opportunities for graduate students.
It's important to note that financial aid for international students varies depending on the school and degree chosen. Some colleges are "need-blind," meaning they admit students regardless of their financial situation, while others are "need-aware" and take financial need into account when making admissions decisions. Understanding the difference between need-based and merit-based aid, and how much you might qualify for, is crucial when exploring your options.
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Research and teaching assistant programs
US universities are among the world's most expensive, but international students can benefit from research and teaching assistant programs to help fund their studies. These programs are the most common source of financial aid for international students, providing paid research and teaching responsibilities to graduate students.
To be eligible for a teaching assistantship, you must be admitted to one of the graduate programs at the university, be proficient in English (both written and spoken), and have participated in the required teaching assistantship workshop sponsored by the college/university. Most professors look for dedicated and eager students who are willing to work long hours. To increase your chances of getting a teaching assistantship, you should explain in detail your teaching and research experience and any other relevant work you have performed.
Research assistantships are for graduate students who are engaged in research activities under the direction and supervision of a principal investigator or faculty member. Research assistants spend 15 to 20 hours per week on their responsibilities, averaging no more than 15 hours per week. Graduate assistantships are similar but may involve administrative tasks or other activities that do not fall within the scope of teaching or research assistantships.
It is important to note that assistantships are not easy to get, and they are quite limited, but if you are successful, they can provide valuable financial support and experience during your studies.
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Need-based vs merit-based aid
As an international student, the cost of studying in the US can be daunting. US universities are among the world's most expensive, but there is plenty of financial aid available to help you achieve your dreams.
Need-based aid is the most common type of financial aid and is awarded based on a student's financial need. Eligibility is determined solely by the income and assets of the student and their family. The most common source of need-based aid is the Pell Grant, which is a federal grant providing funds of up to $7,395 for students from low-income families in the 2024-2025 school year. Need-based aid also includes other institutional, state and federal grants, scholarships, loans and work-study programs.
Merit-based aid, on the other hand, is awarded based on a student's academic, artistic or athletic achievements and extracurricular activities. Scholarships are the most common type of merit-based aid, awarded by schools or outside sources such as nonprofits and private businesses. To continue receiving merit-based aid, students usually need to maintain a certain GPA.
While need-based aid is more widely available, it is important to note that some colleges are ''need-aware', meaning they take into account a student's ability to pay fees when making admission decisions. Other colleges are ''need-blind', making admission decisions regardless of financial need.
Other ways to make college more affordable
Aside from need-based and merit-based aid, there are other ways to make college more affordable as an international student. Many students start at a community college, where tuition fees are lower, before transferring to a four-year college to complete their degree. International students can also work part-time to help cover their costs, although this may be illegal depending on their visa status. Some colleges also offer paid research and teaching assistant positions, which can provide a source of income as well as valuable experience. Finally, it is worth considering the differences in fees between public and private colleges. Although private colleges tend to have higher fees, they often offer more scholarships and may ultimately be more affordable.
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Need-blind vs need-aware colleges
As an international student, you may be eligible for financial aid to help fund your college education in the US. US universities are among the world's most expensive, but there are aid options to help you afford your education.
Need-blind colleges
Need-blind colleges do not consider your financial situation when deciding whether to admit you as a student. They evaluate your application based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, and other merits without factoring in your ability to pay. In other words, your ability to pay doesn't affect whether or not you get in. Need-blind colleges tend to be more diverse, giving all students equal opportunities regardless of their socio-economic background. However, not all need-blind colleges are wealthy enough to meet 100% of each student's financial needs. Some can offer generous aid packages, while others may supplement their financial aid with loans, on-campus jobs, and scholarships. There are only about 100 entirely need-blind colleges and universities in the United States, and only five of these are need-blind for international students.
Need-aware colleges
Need-aware colleges, on the other hand, do take your financial situation into account when making admissions decisions. They consider your financial situation during the admissions process but commit to meeting your demonstrated need once you are admitted. While this may seem unfair, these colleges still care deeply about who their students are and what they bring to the table. Many need-aware colleges offer robust financial aid packages that aim to meet a significant portion of a student's demonstrated financial need.
Other options
In addition to need-blind and need-aware colleges, there are other options to consider when looking for financial aid as an international student:
- Scholarships: You may be able to win scholarships through contests and competitions, or by ranking at the top of your class in tests and grades.
- Grants: Grants are another form of financial aid that does not need to be repaid.
- Teaching and research assistantships: Many international students receive financial aid through paid teaching and research responsibilities.
- Loans: International student loans provide financial support to students who want to study in the US, but this support needs to be repaid in the future.
- Community colleges: Community colleges typically have much lower tuition fees than four-year colleges, so you can save money by spending your first two years at a community college before transferring to a four-year institution.
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Private vs public colleges
The decision to attend a private or public college in the US as an international student is a complex one. There are several factors to consider, including cost, class size, and campus size.
Firstly, it is important to understand how funding works for public and private colleges. Public universities receive funding from the government, while private universities rely on endowments (large donations) and other private sources. This impacts tuition fees: public universities often offer lower tuition rates to students who live in the same state as the university, while private universities do not offer in-state tuition, resulting in higher costs for all out-of-state and international students. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost of attendance and tuition fees for out-of-state students at public colleges was $18,809 for the 2020-2021 academic year, while private universities had average costs of around $30,065. International students paid, on average, over $26,000 per year for public colleges and $32,000 for private colleges in 2019. These costs can be a significant burden for students and their families, and many have to take out loans or rely on financial aid.
Private colleges, despite having higher tuition fees, often provide more scholarships and financial aid, making them more affordable than public colleges in some cases. Additionally, private colleges tend to be smaller, with fewer students and smaller class sizes, which may be appealing to some international students. Private colleges may also offer more opportunities for students interested in athletics or fine arts due to the smaller student population.
Public colleges, on the other hand, often have larger campuses and student bodies, providing a different social experience. They also tend to have better infrastructure, such as more innovative labs, research facilities, and larger libraries, thanks to their government funding. However, public colleges are highly competitive, as they are required to accept a certain percentage of in-state students to maintain their funding, leaving fewer spots for out-of-state and international students.
In conclusion, both private and public colleges have their advantages and disadvantages for international students. Private colleges may offer more financial aid and smaller class sizes, while public colleges have lower tuition fees for in-state students and better infrastructure. Ultimately, the decision depends on various factors, including an individual's financial situation, preferred campus and class size, and the availability of specific degrees and programs.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2019, international students paid over $26,000 per year for public colleges and $32,000 for private colleges on average. US universities are among the world's most expensive, but financial aid is available.
Financial aid for international students varies depending on the school and degree chosen. Most financial aid comes from research and teaching assistance programs, which provide paid responsibilities to graduate students. Some colleges are 'need-blind', meaning they accept students regardless of their financial situation, while others are ''need-aware'. Private colleges are more likely to give scholarships.
Scholarships can be awarded based on merit or need. You can increase your chances of getting a merit-based scholarship by winning contests and competitions. Graduate school comes with a significantly higher likelihood of scholarships or assistantships being offered.
You could consider taking out a private student loan, or your family could help fund your tuition and living costs. Some international students also work part-time to fund their studies, although this is illegal in the US.
