Janice Lozano
Paying for a PhD as an international student can be challenging, but there are several options available to help fund your studies. Firstly, it is important to distinguish between public and private universities, as public universities differentiate fees for in-state and out-of-state students, whereas private universities do not. Many universities offer fully-funded PhD programmes for international students, which may include fee waivers, stipends, and other forms of financial support. Funding may be provided via teaching or research assistantships, scholarships, grants, or loans. Additionally, international students may be able to work part-time during their studies, although this may not always cover tuition costs. To find the best option, it is recommended to research specific programmes and universities, as funding opportunities vary.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| PhD programs | Fully-funded programs are available, especially in STEM fields. |
| Funding may be provided via teaching or research assistantships, scholarships, grants, or loans. | |
| Some programs may require work to be done in exchange for tuition and a stipend. | |
| Public universities differentiate fees for in-state and out-of-state students, while private universities do not. | |
| Tuition fees | International students pay the same fees as out-of-state domestic students in public universities. |
| Private universities have higher fees but more funding opportunities. | |
| Tuition fees vary by university and program, so it is important to research and compare prices. | |
| Living expenses | Living costs vary significantly across different states or countries. |
| Some programs may offer stipends or living salaries to support living expenses. | |
| Employment | On-campus jobs are available for students with F-1 visas, but they typically do not cover tuition costs. |
| Assistantships or internships related to the student's major may provide financial support and work experience. | |
| Scholarships | Various global institutions and international foundations offer scholarships for international students. |
| Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarships are available for talented British students or foreign nationals settled in the UK. |
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What You'll Learn
Scholarships and grants
When looking for scholarships, it is important to consider both public and private universities. While public universities typically differentiate fees for in-state and out-of-state students, international students usually pay the same fees as out-of-state domestic students. Private universities, on the other hand, often have higher fees but do not distinguish between domestic and international students. It is worth noting that private universities generally have more funding than public universities.
Some specific examples of fully-funded scholarships for international PhD students include:
- Yale University Scholarship
- Turkey Government Scholarship
- Chinese Government Scholarship
- King Fahd University Scholarship
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Scholarship
- Leo Baeck Fellowship Program
- Knight Hennessy Scholarship
- AAUW Fellowship Program
In addition to these, there are also various discipline-specific scholarships, such as the International Max Planck Research School for Molecules of Life (IMPRS-ML), which offers fully funded PhD positions in the areas of biochemistry, structural biology, biophysics, cell biology, systems biology, and computational biology.
It is important to note that fully funded PhD programmes are highly competitive, and you may need to work as a teaching or research assistant to receive funding from your university. Additionally, an on-campus job can help fund your studies, especially if you are an international student with an F-1 visa, allowing you to work up to 20 hours per week while taking classes full time.
To find scholarships, you can start by checking the financial aid webpage of your intended university or speaking with a department administrator. Websites like Scholarship Roar, FindAPhD, and PhDStudies also provide information on various scholarship opportunities for international PhD students.
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Assistantships
There are several types of assistantships available to international PhD students. The most common are teaching assistantships (TAs), research assistantships (RAs), graduate assistantships (GAs), and graduate research assistantships (GRAs). TAs and RAs are the most prevalent, with TAs supporting course instruction, leading discussions, and overseeing laboratory sections, and RAs focusing on research that may or may not be related to their thesis. GAs and GRAs are similar to RAs in that they involve academic appointments, but they may also include other tasks such as assisting with conference coordination.
International students can find assistantship opportunities at universities in the US, UK, Canada, and other countries. For example, Cornell University in the US offers a range of assistantships for international PhD students, including TAs, GRAs, and RAs. The University of Kent in the UK also offers a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) programme, which provides a tax-free scholarship, a monthly salary, additional stipends, and paid teacher training.
When considering assistantships, it is important to research the specific requirements and application processes for each university and department. Students should also be aware of potential language assessment requirements, especially for international students who are not native English speakers.
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On-campus jobs
There are many benefits to having an on-campus job as an international student. On-campus jobs are relatively easy for international students to acquire and there is no limit on the number of months you can work as long as you are an enrolled student. Additionally, working on-campus will not affect your eligibility for CPT, pre-completion OPT, or post-completion OPT, and it is possible for a student to work an on-campus job and an off-campus job through CPT simultaneously. On-campus jobs also offer flexibility and the advantage of having an employer that understands your busy student schedule. Some jobs, such as residential assistant positions, can even provide free housing as payment.
There are many different types of on-campus jobs available to international PhD students, and they are welcome to apply for the same jobs as domestic students. Common examples of on-campus jobs include working at the dining hall, library, or campus box office. Students can also work as graders, teaching assistants (TAs), or research assistants (RAs). Both TAs and RAs generally receive tuition, a stipend, and university benefits.
To find an on-campus job, students can look at their college's online job board, if available, and use the "On-Campus" filter to find openings they are eligible for. Some schools may also have a physical job board in a central location on campus. Students can also visit different places they might like to work and ask if they are hiring. It is recommended that students start their job search early, as on-campus positions can be competitive and tend to be more open at the beginning of the year.
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Private student loans
International students have fewer student loan options than US borrowers. Unless you are an eligible non-citizen who can qualify for federal student loans, you may need to borrow from a private lender.
Prodigy Finance
Prodigy Finance offers loans to students from 120+ countries, covering top universities worldwide. You can borrow up to $220,000 with no collateral needed. You can choose to have a co-signer or not.
Ascent Student Loans
Ascent offers PhD student loans and Master's student loans for international students attending US-based institutions. To apply, you need a creditworthy co-signer. Ascent allows you to defer your loan for up to 36 months while you are enrolled at least half-time. The grace period allows you to postpone full principal and interest payments up to 9 months after graduation.
Brazos Private Student Loans
Brazos private student loans are best for borrowers from Texas and students attending school in Texas who are from qualifying states. All borrowers, including international students, must have a qualified co-signer. Brazos offers payment flexibility and lower rates for graduate students than what is available through the federal government.
Earnest Private Student Loans
Earnest Private Student Loans are available to international graduate students from Canada, India, Mexico or South Korea. The minimum income requirement is $35,000, and loan amounts range from $1,000 up to the total cost of attendance.
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Work part-time
As an international student, you may be able to work part-time during your PhD, depending on your visa status and the country you are studying in.
Working part-time in the UK
If you are pursuing a full-time PhD in the UK, you may work alongside your programme, provided you do not work for more than 20 hours per week (except during vacations or an agreed work placement or internship). It is important to note that you cannot rely on this income as your main PhD funding.
Working part-time in the US
Students who hold F-1 visas can work up to 20 hours per week while taking classes full-time. However, on-campus jobs typically do not cover tuition costs. Additionally, international students are generally not allowed to work full-time during the fall and spring semesters, but they may be able to work full-time during the winter and summer.
Online/distance learning
If you are working full-time, online or distance learning for your PhD could be a good option, as it cuts out the regular commute. However, this may also make you feel more isolated and less connected to the academic community.
Things to consider
- Time management: Balancing a part-time job with a full-time PhD will require excellent time management skills.
- University guidelines: Be sure to check your university's guidelines on working while studying, as there may be restrictions on the number of hours you can work.
- Visa requirements: Ensure that you are complying with the work restrictions of your visa. Working in violation of your visa status can have serious consequences.
- Funding restrictions: If you are receiving a stipend or other funding for your PhD, check the terms and conditions to ensure that you are allowed to work part-time.
- Academic community: Working a part-time job may mean less time for academic activities and networking, potentially impacting your connection to the academic community.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways for international students to fund their PhD studies. These include scholarships, assistantships, home-country assistance, grants, and loans. International students can also work part-time while studying or take up an on-campus job to help fund their studies.
There are several scholarship opportunities available for international PhD students, including Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarships, country-specific scholarships, and university-specific scholarships.
Assistantships are a common form of funding for PhD students. They typically involve working as a teaching or research assistant in exchange for a stipend or fee waiver. Assistantships can provide financial assistance and also help students gain work experience and build their resumes.
