Education in the United States: Useful Information->Financial Aid for Undergraduates #0

Financial Aid: Undergraduate Students

In searching for financial aid as an undergraduate, consider that the chances of gaining financial assistance are limited.

EXCHANGES

Students usually study on exchange for a single academic year or less. These exchanges can be arranged between institutions for groups of students but can also be for individual students.

AID FROM US COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Most of the limited financial aid for undergraduates from US sources comes from colleges and universities themselves. In some cases students from abroad compete with American students for limited financial aid. The following types of financial aid are available at American colleges:

o MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIP is based on academic qualifications irrespective of need. The student has no work or repayment obligations.

o NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIP is based on financial need but usually in conjunction with academic achievement. The student has no work or repayment obligations.

o ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP is generally based on the athletic ability of the applicant but is not completely irrespective of academic performance.

o PART-TIME CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT -- the student is able to earn money by working on campus for 20 hours per week. Some schools require all students to take on-campus jobs, thereby reducing the overall cost of education at that university. Sometimes the International Student Office can help foreign students find jobs on campus.

o COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS - allow students to alternate periods of full-time study with full-time work. When a period of employment is required for the degree, foreign students (except M-1 visa holders) can work legally to defray part of their expenses by participating in such a program. The work generally begins at the end of the sophomore (2nd) year and adds one year to a 4-year degree. Cooperative programs that incorporate several short periods of employment alternating with periods of study usually do not admit foreign students; look for programs with one or two extended periods of employment. Whether or not cooperative work assignments actually pay a significant part of study cost varies from program to program.

o ADVANCED STANDING If a student qualifies, s/he can apply for advanced placement at the institutions s/he wants to study at. This does not constitute financial aid in the true sense of the word but is a means of cutting down on costs of the program by reducing its duration (i.e.: a student needs to make up fewer credits to graduate).

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

o Students who have a greater chance of obtaining financial assistance usually:

o Show evidence of high academic achievement;

o Have high-standardized test scores (SAT, TOEFL);

o Demonstrate financial need, but have enough private funding to at least cover part of the cost. Only the most exceptional students could expect to get full financial support

o Have a unique talent or skill, or a record of meaningful involvement in extracurricular activities

o Obtain individualized letters of recommendation enumerating the students’ abilities

o Applying as a transfer student to finish your last 2 years may increase your chances for partial support. Some schools, however, do not provide any aid to international transfer students.

QUESTIONS to locate colleges and universities that may be able to give you at least partial financial support:

1. Are you an exceptionally good student? If you can document an excellent academic record and class ranking in your secondary school work, if you have a TOEFL score of above 600 in paper version or 250 in computer-based version and have a high SAT score, you may be able to qualify for admission to a college or university that may offer funding to students who meet their admission requirements.

2. Are you an exceptionally good athlete or do you excel at other special skills? To take advantage of this strategy, you first need to know which universities or colleges have varsity teams in your sport and you need to consult references to see which universities actually give athletic scholarships. This may also apply to other special skills you may have, such as dancing or art.

3. Do you know a college or university that hopes to internationalize its campus but has a low representation from your part of the world? Usually colleges and universities that offer any financial aid to international students do so because they want superior students who will provide international breadth to the campus. These are usually small liberal arts colleges or colleges with religious affiliations. Apply to the college or university that may be a good prospect and request financial aid with the application. Your academic record, however, must be excellent for this to be successful.

4. What institutions have given at least partial aid to first year foreign students in the past? You can find the answer to this question by by researching websites such as www.collegboard.com or by contacting your local educational advising center.

5. If you have partial funding of your own, are you willing to study at a community college for the first two years in order to establish your aptitude and reduce your costs, or are you willing to study at a less expensive university or college? In general, you can stretch available funds much farther if you plan to spend at least the first two years at a less expensive institution, but be sure your credit hours will transfer.

6. Can you reduce the number of courses you need to take by taking Advanced Placement examinations or transferring courses from a home country institution? If previous education enables you to get US college credit for advanced placement examinations, you can reduce the time you spend in the United States.

Application for aid will not prejudice your chances of admission to a chosen program of study. Since almost all scholarships cover only a part of the tuition, state the amount you do have available for study, if any, rather than asking for a full scholarship. It will greatly increase your chances of support.

Do not understate the amount of funds you may need in the expectation of later obtaining additional aid. If you do need a full scholarship, be sure to say so and to specify what types of expenses you will need to have covered. Opportunities for financial aid (including employment) are severely limited once you are already in the United States.

Useful Information: Financial Aid for Undergraduates