By Jordan McDuff
Attending university in the United States is an
exciting and rewarding opportunity. It is also, unfortunately, quite
expensive. While most grants, scholarships and loans are restricted to
US citizens, there are some resources available for international
students. Below are some helpful hints to help you locate possible
sources of funding for US your college career.
Lay the Groundwork:
The first step in finding out what types of scholarships are available
is to inquire at your university’s international student services
office. The staff should be able to provide some guidance on possible
funding opportunities available. Another often-overlooked option is to
contact your country’s embassy. Some countries offer scholarships
or some type of financial assistance to citizens studying abroad.
Another possible avenue involves contacting organizations established
to promote your home country abroad. These organizations offer support
and networking amongst members who share a common citizenship and
heritage, and often support newcomers and students from the homeland.
Searching for Scholarships: There is a wealth of information available on scholarships
and financial aid out there. Your best, and most accurate source is, of
course, the Internet. Websites such as international scholarships.com,
iiee.org, and edupass.org offer free, searchable databases of over
1,000 scholarships and grants. You can search by field of study,
intended major, citizenship, interests, and other parameters. Many
international organizations publish annual guidebooks detailing funding
sources, application information, deadlines, and criteria from a
variety of philanthropic organizations. These guides are usually
available in the reference section of your university’s library.
Funding Options for Graduate Students: The most viable option for many master’s
and doctoral students are graduate assistantships. Assistantships come
in two forms: research assistantships (RA) and teaching assistantships
(TA). Normally, recipients of RAs and TAs will be expected to work
approximately 20 hours a week in either a research or teaching
capacity. In return, tuition is covered and a stipend is rewarded.
Doctoral students are eligible for the highly competitive Presidential
Fellowship, as well as the prestigious Fulbright Fellowship program.
Graduate students should contact their academic department to inquire
about the availability of these assistantships and fellowships.
Specialized Scholarships: The Organization of American States (OAS) offers loans
to students from Central and South America. For specialized research
needs, contact the Foundation Center or the American Association of
University Women, two non-profit organizations that offer grants for
international students.
Knowledge is Key:
Applying for scholarships and other types of financial aid can be
time-consuming and confusing. Many scholarships are only available to
certain majors, educational levels, or citizenship. The majority of
scholarships are merit-based and you’ll be expected to maintain a
certain academic standing. Carefully read eligibility and procedural
requirements before applying, and discuss your intentions with your
academic advisor. You just might find your US college experience not
only life-changing, but money-saving as well.
