Financing your Studies at USA
You will need a minimum of US$10,000 to $15,000 per year to cover the costs of tuition, room and board, books, and personal expenses. Some universities cost well over US$30,000 per year. Very few awards are more than $5,000. The cost of studying in the United States varies widely among universities, and the cost of living varies from location to location.
The chart below shows the range of costs that students can expect to find at various universities:
Cost for One Year (2000-2001 estimates)
Tuition Fee ($3,500 - $25,000)
Room and Board ($4,000 - $12,000)
Books and Supplies ($500 - $1,000)
Health Insurance ($400 - $600)
Personal Expenses ($1,200 - $3,000)
Tuition fees at private universities will usually be double the cost of state universities. Tuition at two-year colleges will generally be substantially less than a state university.
Financial Aid
Some financial aid is available to international students. About 30% of
international students in the US receive major financial aid from the US college or university.
Each university or college makes its own decision about whether or not to grant financial aid.
Students with outstanding academic records and high
SAT scores can be considered for financial aid. About 300 undergraduate institutions award significant financial aid to international students. Through research at your educational advising center, you may develop a plan that maximizes your chances of admission with aid.
Universities and colleges in the US may offer financial assistance to graduate students in the form of research or teaching assistantships. To be competitive for assistantships, you must have a high score in the
GRE or
GMAT
, excellent grades, strong recommendations and a clear, precise and interesting statement of purpose.
scholarships
Scholarships, grants and prizes are occasionally available. Often colleges and universities are searching not only for bright students, but also for interesting and original candidates. If you have any special talent, in fields such as music, sports, arts, student politics or others, make sure to mention it in your application.
Job During Studies in USA
It is not easy to get a job as a foreign student in the USA, especially at the undergraduate level. You cannot rely on employment to pay for your education in the U.S. Working off-campus is illegal and can lead to deportation from the U.S. On-campus employment for international students is limited to 20 hours per week, usually at minimum wage. You can expect to earn between $1000 and $2000 a year in an administrative position, which is enough to pay for books, clothing, and personal expenses. This will not be enough to pay for your tuition, fees or living expenses while in the USA. Jobs are offered on university campuses through the International Students' Office, Housing Services, the catering services, the Library, etc.