Janice Lozano
International students contribute significantly to the economies of their host countries, with the US alone attracting over 1 million international students, generating $40 billion annually. However, the high tuition fees they pay can be a burden for many. While international students in the US cannot apply for federal student aid, they can explore other options to lower their tuition costs. This includes opting for off-campus housing, sharing accommodation to save on rent, and seeking guaranteed employment opportunities or merit-based scholarships. Additionally, international students can research ways to cut expenses, such as cooking their own meals instead of purchasing meal plans. These strategies can help international students reduce their overall cost of attendance and make their dream of studying abroad more financially feasible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Choose off-campus housing | Can save thousands of dollars |
| Sharing an apartment or house | May cost less than renting a smaller apartment alone |
| Meals during breaks | Ask universities if meals are included for international students during breaks |
| Guaranteed employment | Some schools offer guaranteed employment for international students with financial needs |
| Scholarships | International students may qualify for merit or need-based scholarships |
| Grants | International students may qualify for grants |
| Phone plan | Choose a domestic phone plan or SIM card |
| Exchange rates | Fluctuating exchange rates can increase costs |
| Visa fees | Budget for the cost of applying for a visa |
| Airfare | Consider the cost of international airfare |
| Tuition fees | Lowering tuition fees can be a more accurate measure to reduce accumulated surplus |
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What You'll Learn
Opt for off-campus housing
Opting for off-campus housing is a great way for international students to save money on their overall university expenses. While on-campus accommodation is convenient and provides easy access to campus facilities, it often comes at a high price due to bundled expenses like meal plans and utilities.
Living off-campus gives students more budget flexibility and control over their expenses. They can choose from a variety of housing options, such as renting an apartment or sharing a house with roommates, which can significantly reduce costs. For example, students can split the rent and utility fees, saving them thousands of dollars. Additionally, students can cook their own meals instead of relying on expensive meal plans, further reducing their expenses.
When considering off-campus housing, it's important to keep in mind that commuting costs may increase, especially if the housing is far from the campus and public transportation is limited. To mitigate this, students can look for housing options that are slightly farther away but still accessible by public transportation or other affordable means.
Another advantage of off-campus housing is the potential for greater privacy and independence. Students can choose their roommates and select a living space that suits their preferences and requirements. However, it's important to be mindful of additional expenses that may arise when living off-campus, such as utilities, groceries, internet access, and furniture.
To find off-campus housing, international students can start by contacting the university's housing office or visiting its website. Some universities also provide resources and information on their websites about off-campus housing options. Additionally, students can explore websites like Craigslist, rent.com, or apartments.com, or seek recommendations from fellow students.
By opting for off-campus housing, international students can significantly reduce their overall tuition and living expenses, making their university experience more financially manageable.
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Apply for scholarships and grants
International students can't apply for federal student aid, but there are other options to lower tuition fees. One way to do this is to apply for scholarships and grants. Scholarships are typically awarded based on merit, while grants are usually need-based.
International students should start by researching the different scholarships and grants available at each potential school during the application process. For example, Howard University in Washington, D.C., offers merit-based scholarships to first-time-in-college international students, which expire after four years of enrolment.
Students should also look into state-level scholarships and grants, as well as tuition waivers. For instance, in Sweden, public funds are channelled into scholarships for students from lower-income countries, enhancing access for this group. Some US colleges also use parts of the supplement charge paid by international students to create their own scholarship schemes.
Additionally, international students can apply for private scholarships and grants offered by organisations outside of the university. These may be merit- or need-based, or they may be targeted at specific groups of students, such as those from a particular country or region, or those studying a specific subject.
Finally, international students can also consider guaranteed employment opportunities on campus. Some schools, such as Westminster College, offer guaranteed employment as part of a financial aid package, allowing students to earn money to cover expenses not included in their scholarship, such as health insurance, taxes, and personal expenses.
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Seek guaranteed employment
International students on student visas are usually not permitted to work off-campus, meaning they must work on campus or not at all. However, some universities, such as Westminster, offer guaranteed employment for international students with financial needs. This means that employment is part of the financial aid package, and students can have their jobs confirmed before they arrive.
International students should contact university financial aid offices about guaranteed employment opportunities. If a school does not offer guaranteed employment, ask the financial aid office about available jobs that international students can apply for once on campus.
Students can earn between $2,000 and $2,500 per semester working in clerical, tutoring, or lab assistant positions. For example, a Westminster freshman from India works as a student assistant in the admissions office, helping with mailings and data entry, and escorting students to appointments. The money she earns covers expenses such as health insurance, taxes, and personal expenses.
Students can also research employment opportunities by contacting the university's admissions office to find out whether living off-campus is an option for first-year students. If it isn't, it will likely be available in subsequent years. Students can also research housing options by emailing the university's housing office or visiting its website.
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Choose a university with lower fees
International students often pay higher fees than domestic students, and these fees can vary significantly between institutions. For example, in the United States, international students make up about 6% of university enrolments, contributing $40 billion to the economy annually, and most of these students pay full fees.
When considering how to lower tuition fees, it is important to remember that the fees are often a crucial source of funding for universities, and the fees for international students can sometimes be two to three times higher than for domestic students.
However, there are ways to reduce the overall cost of attendance. One way is to choose a university with lower fees. Here are some things to consider when making this choice:
Firstly, do your research on the potential schools you are interested in. Compare the tuition fees charged by different universities for international students. Fees can vary between universities in the same country, so it is worth exploring multiple options. For example, in Sweden, Blekinge Technical University charges lower fees for its engineering master's programmes than the larger and higher-ranked KTH.
Secondly, consider the location of the university. The cost of living can vary significantly between cities and countries, so choosing a university in a location with a lower cost of living can help reduce overall expenses.
Additionally, look into the availability of scholarships and financial aid. Some universities may offer scholarships specifically for international students, which can help lower the overall cost of tuition. For example, in Sweden, public funds are channelled into scholarships for students from lower-income countries, increasing access for this group.
It is also worth considering the employment opportunities available to international students. Some universities may offer guaranteed employment for international students with financial needs, which can help cover expenses not included in the tuition fees, such as health insurance, taxes, and personal expenses.
By carefully researching the fees, location, scholarship opportunities, and employment options, you can make an informed decision about choosing a university with lower fees and overall costs. This can help make your international education more affordable and accessible.
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Consider a shared room
Sharing a room is a great way to save money as an international student. The cost of accommodation can be a significant expense, so having a roommate can reduce this burden.
Firstly, it is important to research the housing options available. Students can contact the university's housing office or visit its website to explore options for on- and off-campus housing. They can also ask about the types of housing, rooms for rent, and potential costs if they share with roommates. Some universities have websites listing off-campus housing options, while others may promote off-campus housing connected to the campus. However, in most cases, students find accommodations through websites like Craigslist, Rent.com, Apartments.com, or through word-of-mouth.
Sharing an apartment or house with roommates can significantly reduce costs compared to renting a place alone. This arrangement allows students to split the rent and utility bills, reducing the financial burden on each individual. It is worth noting that some universities may require first-year students to live on campus, but off-campus housing options may become available in subsequent years.
Additionally, living off-campus provides students with more flexibility in their meal choices. They can choose to cook their own meals or explore affordable dining options near the university. This can further reduce expenses, as meal plans offered by universities can be costly, and students may end up spending extra money on dining out.
By considering a shared room, international students can effectively lower their overall living expenses, making their educational journey more financially manageable.
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Frequently asked questions
One way to reduce living costs is to opt for off-campus housing. This can save students thousands of dollars. Students can also save money by sharing an apartment or house, and cooking their own food instead of opting for a meal plan.
International students are not eligible for federal or state aid in the US. However, they may be able to access other types of financial aid, including merit or need-based aid, grants, and scholarships. Some universities offer guaranteed employment for international students with financial needs.
International students may be able to access tuition fee discounts or scholarships. For example, some Swedish universities redistribute funds from international tuition fees to scholarships for students from lower-income countries.
