Janice Lozano
International students often face challenges when it comes to securing funding for their studies, especially in countries like the US, where federal aid is not available for non-citizens. However, there are still several options available for international students seeking financial support. These include grants, scholarships, loans, and part-time work opportunities. Various organizations, universities, and private institutions offer financial aid to international students, and careful planning and research can help students access these funding sources to support their educational goals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scholarship databases | Some scholarship databases charge fees, while others are free. The same information is usually available on both types of database. |
| Scholarship offers | Be aware of dishonest scholarship offers. Do not send money or bank details to any organization that promises a scholarship in return. Consult with the admissions office if you are unsure. |
| Undergraduate scholarships | Undergraduate scholarships are usually only available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. However, there are some scholarships, grants, and loans available for international students. |
| Private colleges | Private colleges may offer significant financial aid, which can make them more affordable than public colleges or universities in an international student's home country. |
| Need-blind colleges | Very few colleges are need-blind, meaning they consider an applicant's financial situation when making an admissions decision. Some schools may be need-blind for U.S. citizens but need-aware for international students. |
| Merit-based scholarships | Scholarships may be granted based on special skills, talents, or abilities. This includes TOEFL scores, academic record, artistic ability, musical ability, or athletic ability. |
| Need-based scholarships | Need-based scholarships are awarded based on financial need. |
| Part-time work | Students with F-1 status can work part-time on campus for up to 20 hours per week. Students with J-1 status can do the same with permission from their exchange visitor program sponsor. |
| International organizations | Organizations such as the Fulbright Commission and the Aga Khan Foundation grant aid to students all over the world. |
| University financial aid | Many U.S. colleges and universities offer limited financial aid for international students through their financial aid offices. |
| Tuition waiver programs | Some universities offer tuition waiver programs, allowing international students to pay in-state tuition rates. |
| International student loans | International students are not eligible for U.S. government-backed loans but can apply for private international student loans. |
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What You'll Learn
Scholarships and grants
International students can avail of various scholarships and grants to fund their education. Here are some options to consider:
Scholarships
International students can explore scholarships offered by private, corporate, nonprofit, and government organizations. These scholarships can be merit-based or need-based. Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on special skills, talents, or abilities, such as academic records, artistic abilities, musical abilities, or athletic abilities. Need-based scholarships, on the other hand, are granted to students who can demonstrate financial need. It is important to note that scholarships for international students can be highly competitive, and students should carefully review the eligibility criteria before applying.
Grants
Grants are sums of money provided by organizations or bodies to assist students with their studies, and they do not need to be repaid. International students can explore grants offered by organizations such as the Fulbright Commission, which provides scholarships and grants for students worldwide. The Fulbright Program, for instance, is available in more than 160 countries and covers tuition, room and board, and transportation fees. Additionally, the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program offers grants for foreign citizens to teach their language and culture at US universities. Other grant opportunities include the International Student Grant from Ohio State University, which assists international students in their final semester, and the International Grant in Aid from Miami University, which provides a 100% tuition waiver for graduate international students with demonstrated financial need.
Furthermore, women from developing countries intending to study in the US or Canada can explore the Margaret McNamara Education Grant, which offers awards worth approximately $12,000. Students from developing countries can also consider the Aga Khan Foundation, which provides funding that is half a grant and half a loan. The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program is another option for students from developing countries applying for development-related Master's programs, offering comprehensive financial coverage, including tuition, a monthly stipend, airfare, health insurance, and a travel allowance.
It is important for international students to start their funding applications early and carefully consider their options to maximize their chances of securing scholarships and grants.
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Loans
MPOWER Financing provides international student loans in the US and Canada. They offer fixed-rate loans from US$2,001 to US$100,000 at competitive interest rates, with no cosigner or collateral required. MPOWER makes loan decisions based on the student's future potential and ability to work in the US and repay the loan. They also provide visa guidance support and scholarships.
Ascent is a private student loan program that offers funding to international undergraduate and graduate students in the US. They provide credit-based loans that require a cosigner. Ascent sends the loan for school certification once the borrower's portal tasks are complete, and the loan is then disbursed directly to the school.
International students should also be aware of the limited scholarship opportunities available to them in the US. While scholarships are highly competitive, there are private, institutional, and government-funded scholarships that international students can apply for. Additionally, international students can explore funding from their home country, whether from organizations, companies, or their government.
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Part-time work
International students often take on part-time jobs to fund their studies. The type of job you can get will depend on your visa type and the policies of your college or university. For example, students with an F-1 Visa can work for a company affiliated with their school, such as a school bookstore or cafeteria. Students with an M-1 Visa can engage in practical training after they have completed their studies, as long as the work is related to their area of study and authorized by the Designated School Official and USCIS.
Some colleges and universities have special policies that allow international students to take advantage of work opportunities, such as the work-study program. Work-study positions are part-time jobs that are typically designed with student schedules in mind and are often incorporated into a student's financial aid package. However, as the work-study program is federally funded in the US, it is usually only open to domestic students. Some universities, such as the University of Pennsylvania, offer their own work-study programs with institutional funding, which are open to international students.
There are also part-time jobs available for international students off-campus. These include jobs as food runners, baristas, library assistants, call center representatives, and peer mentors. Many colleges and universities have restaurants and cafes, so these can be ideal workplaces for international students who live on or close to campus. It is important to note that working on or off-campus cannot be your sole source of funding as an international student, and many of the financial resources available are deemed taxable.
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Family funding
If you are an international student, you should ask your parents or other family members for funding, as they are proven to be the main source of funding for international students.
In addition to family funding, there are other sources of funding for international students. For example, there are several international organizations, such as the Fulbright Commission, that grant aid to students all over the world. Many U.S. colleges and universities also offer limited financial aid for international students through their financial aid offices. However, there is much less money available for undergraduate study than for graduate study. Private institutions may sometimes discount or reduce tuition costs, but public institutions rarely have this option.
There are also scholarships and grants that international students can apply for. Some scholarships are merit-based and are granted based on special skills, talents, or abilities. Other scholarships are need-based and are awarded to students who can demonstrate financial need. There are also international student grants, such as the International Student Grant from Ohio State University, which is available to international students who need financial assistance in their last semester.
Finally, international students may be able to work part-time while studying, depending on their visa status. For example, F-1 status allows for part-time, on-campus employment for no more than 20 hours per week. However, jobs available on campus typically do not pay enough to finance a university education, so they should be considered a supplement to other funds.
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University-specific funding
Some universities offer their own scholarships, grants, and funding schemes for international students. For example, the University of Sheffield in the UK has a fees and funding hub for international students, which includes alumni discounts and university scholarships. The University of Edinburgh in Scotland is part of a consortium of universities that have been awarded funding from the Economics & Social Research Council (ESRC) to support postgraduate studentships and training in the Social Sciences. In the US, Ohio State University offers an International Student Grant to students with one semester left until graduation who need financial assistance. Similarly, Miami University provides a 100% tuition waiver for graduate international students who can demonstrate financial need.
Many universities offer merit-based scholarships for international students, granted on the basis of special skills, talents, or abilities. These scholarships are often very competitive and require students to demonstrate exceptional ability in a specific area. For example, scholarships may be based on TOEFL scores, academic record, artistic ability, musical ability, or athletic ability.
In addition to scholarships, some universities offer part-time, on-campus employment for international students. For example, F-1 status, the most common status for full-time international students in the US, allows for on-campus employment for fewer than 20 hours per week. However, on-campus jobs typically do not pay enough to finance a university education, so they should be considered a supplement to other funds.
It is important to consult with your university to take advantage of any special funding opportunities they offer. You can also visit websites such as Blackbullion's Funding Hub, ScholarshipPortal, and Global Scholarships to find information about university-specific funding for international students.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways international students can get funding to study in the US. Firstly, there are grants and scholarships offered by universities, private institutions, corporations, non-profits, and governments. Secondly, international students may be eligible for private international student loans. Lastly, international students with F-1 status are allowed to work part-time on campus for up to 20 hours per week.
Some scholarships and grants for international students include the Fulbright Program, the P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship, the Margaret McNamara Education Grant, the Aga Khan Foundation, and the International Student Grant from Ohio State University.
Here are some tips for applying for funding as an international student:
- Start applying early, about 18 months before starting your program.
- Be aware of dishonest scholarship offers and never send money or bank account details to any organization.
- Carefully check the eligibility rules and application criteria for each grant or scholarship.
- Research and compare the rates and terms offered by different loan providers if considering taking out a loan.
