Scholarship and Financial Aids for International Students to the USA
Higher education in the USA is a dream for many international students. However, the cost of tuition, living, and other related expenses are excessively unaffordable for some of them. A scholarship is the main way to fund your studies in the US and helps to decrease the financial load. There are private, institutional, and government-funded scholarships. While they are highly competitive, your chances of getting one are pretty good if you have impressive achievements and know how to make a good application. Here's an overview of the types of scholarships and financial aid options available to international students in the USA:
1. Institutional Aid
Many colleges and universities in the USA offer scholarships or grants to talented international students. The amount and type of aid varies by institution. Some schools offer sports scholarships, while others provide academic or artistic scholarships.
2. Private Scholarships
Many private organizations offer scholarships specifically for international students. Some popular ones include:
United World Colleges (UWC) Scholarships include a group of 18 universities across the world and over 10,000 students each year that benefit from this programme.
Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarships is open to students from developing countries who want to study a Master’s in a development-related subject in one of their 27 partner universities from the US, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan.
Fulbright Program for Foreign Students offers around 4000 scholarships every year to international students who want to study in the US. Depending on your country of origin, the eligibility criteria are different.
3. Country-Specific Scholarships
Some countries offer scholarships for their students to study abroad. These are usually awarded to exceptional students or for specific programmes in areas where the country needs highly-educated specialists. You must check with your local government to see if such programmes exist.
Other types of financial aid:
1. Work-Study Programs
Some universities offer work-study programmes where students can work part-time jobs on campus. This is an excellent opportunity to earn some money to help you cover the costs and build up work experience at the same time. Check on the university’s website to see if they have programmes like this, and also make sure your visa allows you to work.
2. Private Loans
Several private legal lenders in the US offer loans to international students. However, there are not many lenders like this, and they usually require a creditworthy cosigner who is a US citizen or a permanent resident.
It’s true that funding your studies in the USA as an international student is not easy, but there are numerous resources and opportunities available. If it’s your dream to study in the US, do your research well, prepare your scholarship applications carefully, and take a proactive approach, and you'll have great chances to fulfill your dream.
