Finding scholarships as an international student may seem impossible right now, but there are many possibilities waiting for you. It goes without saying that studying abroad brings a lot of benefits such as better education and job opportunities, academic development, learning new cultures, and more.
But as the old saying goes, everything comes at a cost. Tuition fees are part of an international student’s experience, and this is only the beginning. There are also living costs, accommodation costs, study books/materials, food costs, to name just a few. These costs would round up to approximately $30,000 up to $40,000 per year.
Of course, not everyone has the money to pay for such costs; that’s why there are scholarships to help with that. This article aims to show how much it costs to study in the USA and what are some sources and scholarships that international students could benefit from.
The Cost of Studying in the USA
To get the best experience of your life as an international student, you are expected to pay a good amount of money. So, how much does it cost for an international student to study in the USA? Although it depends on the college or course you take, the numbers can reach five digits.
In the USA., there are various types of institutions such as community colleges, public colleges, private colleges, or Ivy League colleges, and all of them have different fees. The most expensive ones are private colleges, costing between $50,000 up to $75,000. On the other hand, public colleges cost less – $35,000 up to $45,000.
Tuition fees are always more expensive in private colleges since the state government funds public colleges. Some subjects are less costly, such as education, arts, or humanities. However, international students are expected to pay a lot more than American students.
The cost of undergraduate courses is even higher for international students. Usually, they have to pay $25,000 to $35,000 a year at a public university, whereas for private colleges, the cost can go up to $45,000. For postgraduate courses, international students pay around $20,000 to $35,000 at public colleges, and for private colleges, they have to pay $35,000 to $50,000.
Scholarships for International Students
Scholarships are a massive help to international students. According to Jeduka, a Master’s scholarship in the USA is what international students pursue the most. With this being said, several colleges and universities in the USA offer a variety of scholarships. Let’s take a look at some of the best international scholarships and what they offer.
Open Society Foundations
The Open Society Foundations are known for being committed to equality, and they don’t discriminate. They provide fully-funded scholarships for students who demonstrate excellent academic skills. Here are some available areas of study which offer scholarships:
- Economics
- Communications, Journalism & Media
- Development Studies
- Culture, History & Society
- Human Rights
- Law
- Politics
- Social Work
MPOWER Financing
MPOWER truly makes an international student’s dreams come true. They offer
- Global citizen scholarship
- Women in STEM scholarship
- Monthly scholarship series
- MPOWER MBA scholarship
Anyone can apply for these scholarships if they’re accepted or enrolled at a US school that MPOWER supports and any international student, who is legally studying in the USA.
The American Association of University Women
The American Association of University Women is an excellent option for international women trying to pursue a postdoctoral study or a full-time graduate in the USA. They’re especially interested in women who show commitment to the advancement of women through professional, civic, or community work.
Scholarship value:
- Master’s/Professional Fellowship: $18,000
- Doctorate Fellowship: $20,000
- Postdoctoral Fellowship: $30,000
The P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship
Another excellent opportunity for international women is the P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship program which helps women reach their professional goals. However, the scholarship doesn’t cover all personal or academic expenses.
The maximum amount awarded to an international student is $12,500, and these awards are offered annually. Applicants must be enrolled and in residence for the whole school year and have a full year of schoolwork remaining.
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
If you’re a young research student, the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program offers 26 programs at universities only in the USA, Japan, Europe, Africa, and Oceania and in many areas, such as:
- Infrastructure management
- Economic policy management
- Tax policy
The scholarship covers the tuition for your graduate program, basic insurance, a monthly allowance, the duration of your graduate program, and more.
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Conacyt
If you’re a Mexican student and want to study in the U.S., consider the National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT) – an organization funded by the Mexican government. They prioritize areas related to health, such as
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Infectious diseases
- Tropical illnesses
- Biomedical engineering
- Biology
- Data science, and health
ColFuturo
For all you Colombians out there who want to pursue a professional degree in the U.S, ColFuturo is an excellent option for you. It is a non-profit foundation that initiates students to finish postgraduate studies and return to Columbia with promotion and academic development.
The Talent Seeding Program’s goals are areas of:
- Engineering
- Health Sciences
- Economy
- Social Sciences
- Education
- Arts
Foreign Fulbright Student Program
The Fulbright Program offers full-tuition scholarships that cover tuition fees and a monthly allowance of $30,000 up to $40,000. This is a merit-based scholarship, meaning you can apply only if your country participates in its international program.
The Fulbright All Disciplines Award provides a grant of up to $45,000, and it offers a scholarship for:
- Masters degrees
- Ph.D. degrees
- Postgraduate certificate program
- Research projects
International Student Scholarship
The International Student Scholarship doesn’t offer any scholarship; instead, they give you a list of scholarships, awards, or grants that target international students. You can search for your college, a field of study, or university online and find programs that suit you, such as:
- Fulbright Scholarship
- Merit scholarships
- College loans
- Postdoctoral fellowships
Conclusion
The USA is known for its hospitality towards international students. All you need to do is check available options and opt for the one that best matches your academic goals. You will get a quality education, plenty of opportunities, a multicultural environment, and a fantastic life experience as a student. A scholarship opens up many academic doors for you, and studying abroad is one way to become acquainted with different cultures from nationalities worldwide.