According to statistics, more than 400,000 foreign students enroll annually in various American colleges and universities. About 7% of them receive aid from the institution itself, and 5-6% from a sponsor or some foundation. We are not claiming that getting financial aid is easy. It largely depends on the program and where you study (for example, undergraduate students find it much harder to get money than future master's students), your specialization, academic performance, family financial situation, and so on. But it's worth trying. And the more effort you put in, the more realistic the prospects.
Scholarships
There are several types of scholarships you can apply for. A 'simple scholarship' (scholarship) is the most desirable type of financial aid because it usually does not require any action in return other than gratitude. The scholarship typically goes toward tuition, but sometimes also covers living expenses. It can be funded by the state (for example, an organization financed from the state budget), an individual state, the educational institution itself, its alumni fund, or any other fund.
Another type of scholarship is called a fellowship. In this case, aid is usually provided by informal scientific societies that offer scholarships to graduate students, candidates, and doctors of science working on special projects in a particular field. Often fellowships are given to representatives of various minorities who are underrepresented in a particular field of research—including women. There is, for example, a special scholarship for female students: the Delta Gamma Fellowship. In many cases, such financial aid programs are only available to members of certain organizations—for example, the American Historical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, or the Association of American Geographers. Being a member of such an organization is very prestigious, and foreigners are not always accepted.
You can also get a grant. This is a scholarship at a higher level, so to speak. A grant is usually awarded for some scientific project (research) and covers all expenses for its execution. The grant may be paid by an organization that specifically hires the student to conduct research. In addition to the cost of the work itself, the grant typically includes expenses for transportation, accommodation, and other related costs. Many grant programs fund doctoral dissertation work.
Another type of financial support is an assistantship. This is not actually a scholarship, as it requires performing certain work in return: the assistant undertakes to help the academic advisor or professor in conducting research. The volume of work may be strictly defined—for example, 20 hours per week. Typically, only graduate students can count on this kind of aid. An assistantship is useful because the graduate student gains valuable work experience and finds it easier to establish contacts with the university faculty. Most colleges hire 'teaching assistants' to help with seminars, exam consultations, tests, etc., and if a postgraduate student specializes in a subject taught at the undergraduate level, they have a good chance of getting this position.
In addition to scholarships, there are loans. This is the most common form of obtaining money for studying at any university for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Loans can be federal (called Stafford) or university. Major world-renowned universities like Harvard, Princeton, and others provide loans to future students from their budgets. Loans are also divided into subsidized and unsubsidized. In the first case, interest begins to accrue after graduation; in the second, during studies. Many graduates repay loans to universities over ten years or more. In any case, it is not superfluous to inquire whether such loans are offered to foreign students. If it's not possible in the first year, don't be upset. Perhaps after a year or two of studying in the U.S., when you have a 'credit history' and have made American acquaintances willing to vouch for you, you may be able to get a regular loan from a local bank.
Another type of financial aid is sponsorship. You can get it from a company, a charitable organization, or even an individual. For example, an acquaintance of mine who has diabetes has been studying at an American university for several years at the expense of a sponsor—an employee of an organization that provides insulin to Americans with diabetes.
A scholarship can also be obtained in a hidden form. For example, a university may, upon request, reduce the cost of tuition for you if you indicate in the application that you cannot pay for studies and need financial aid. In some private universities, the discount can reach 50%.
Many colleges have a 'gap' system. This means that there is a break in the payment of financial aid, during which you must pay for your studies yourself. One way to 'get by' is to find a job on campus during that time.
How to get a scholarship
To get money in America, desire alone is not enough. You need to gather an entire package of documents, which the fund will consider only if it is complete. The main document for obtaining a scholarship is a completed standard application form. You can get it by request by mail or download it from the website.
The next extremely important document is a bank form. It must confirm that you cannot pay for your tuition at the university yourself. For our unemployed compatriot, it can be replaced by parents' income declarations, and if you are already working, by a certificate of your income issued by your employer.
You will also need a secondary education certificate and its certified copy in English, a transcript (if you have one), test results (e.g., TOEFL), and recommendations. Some organizations require essays on various topics, such as 'Why do I want to get an education?', 'My goals in life', 'Plans for a future career', etc. You may be asked about your favorite book or the person who has most influenced your life. Typically, the purpose of such questions is to find out what kind of person you are, what you want from life, in which field you want to build a career, why, etc. It is also important how you express your thoughts and how convincing they are.
It should be noted that some foundations and organizations offering scholarships to students charge a fee for the application form you must submit to participate in the program. The price of this document can range from $25 to $45. So before sending an application, find out if you need to pay for it.
The administration of educational institutions usually tries to adhere to the principle of social justice. Also, if you are denied a scholarship in your first year of study, it may be awarded in one of the following years. If you have already received a scholarship from a particular foundation, they may not give it again. In any case, each college or university has its own policy for providing scholarships to foreign students. Therefore, first of all, having chosen a US college or university, study its 'Financial Aid for International Students' section in detail and find the most suitable option for yourself.
Many colleges award scholarships to foreigners only on the condition of excellent academic performance. Other merits may also be taken into account: academic and other awards, commendations, achievements in music or sports, community activities. For example, a student at private university Depaw in Indiana (Depaw University) Rano Burkhanova pleasantly surprised the dean's office with her active community work and excellent grades in school. She was given a scholarship, but on the condition that throughout all four years of study she would maintain her grade point average (GPA) at the proper level. Not the least role in obtaining a scholarship is played by the results of tests such as TOEFL and SAT. In any case, you should apply for different types of scholarships and contact as many organizations as possible.
Chances of Obtaining Financial Aid
Basically, financial aid is provided to those entering graduate school (Graduate Level), especially in the fields of technical, computer, and natural sciences. Private companies and US government agencies are interested in research conducted in these fields and allocate significant financial resources to the university or department to carry out such research. These funds are provided to the best candidates in the form of Research Assistantship or Fellowship. It is also necessary to know that in America 40% of Ph.D. degrees in technical and computer sciences are awarded to foreign students. Significantly fewer opportunities exist in the humanities and social sciences: only some graduate students get the opportunity to work as teaching assistants (Teaching Assistantship), for which fluency in English is required.
Undergraduate programs do not have such narrow specialization and usually do not include research. Therefore, there are fewer opportunities to receive financial aid from universities or private foundations. Usually, small private (Liberal Arts) colleges can provide financial aid to foreign students. Colleges admit students and provide financial aid not only based on knowledge level but also depending on other abilities (in music, sports, etc.).
Sometimes it is easier to obtain financial aid if you transfer to a US university as a transfer student. This means that students who are studying at home in their third or fourth year of university will complete their education in the US. It should be kept in mind that if you are finishing the third year in your home country, you may be re-enrolled in the third year when transferring to a US university. The American side will carefully review the documents on the courses taken and decide which year to admit the student.
US Foundations
Each of the foundations specializes in one area - for example, humanities or natural sciences. However, the number of foundations and scholarships they provide is not the same for different specialties. For example, in America there are many foundations in architecture, art, aviation, biology, chemistry, engineering, but they either have very few scholarships (one to four per year) or they are intended only for US residents. There are many foundations in medicine - for undergraduate students alone, 20 organizations provide funds - but it is extremely difficult for a foreigner to get into this specialty. Marketing and business are among the most popular specialties: there are plenty of people willing to study them even for money, so at the undergraduate level only nine foundations provide support in these fields. Very few scholarships are awarded to students or graduate students studying finance, accounting, economics (only two foundations offering one scholarship per year) and law (four foundations, three of which are for US residents only).
If you want to study business, contact the educational and research foundation APICS. It offers up to 164 scholarships per year, ranging from $100 to $1,700. Scholarships are awarded to students in two- and four-year college and university programs. A candidate for such a scholarship must submit a written paper on a topic in the field of marketing. It must be written in English and sent by May 15. Additionally, you need to fill out an application form and attend the competition, the date and location of which you will be notified.
Also specializing in this area (business) is the IMA Foundation, which provides 20 scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 for first-year students who intend to pursue a career in financial management and accounting. The candidate must be a student in a four-year program and have demonstrated leadership abilities. By February 15, it is required to send a resume, fill out an application form, write an essay, and provide recommendations.
Upperclassmen (third and fourth year) and graduate students specializing in accounting can get help from the Robert Kaufman Memorial Educational Foundation. It awards 25-30 scholarships annually, each ranging from $250 to $3,000. But if you have exceptional knowledge and skills, you may receive more attention and be given more money for your studies. The deadline for submitting documents for the scholarship is February 28. Requirements: fill out an application form, attach a bank form, recommendations, test results, and a stamped envelope for the reply.
Foundations in the field of communications are very common. For example, the Society for Technical Communication offers 14 scholarships of $2,500 each to those studying communications and computers. Seven of them are for graduate students or doctoral candidates working on a thesis in communications. The other seven are for 2nd-4th year students specializing in technical communication. All candidates must have completed at least one year of study. Requirements: application form, recommendations, translation of documents into English. Documents are accepted until February 15.
In the field of foreign languages, the very generous foundation of the international businessmen's club Rotary International specializes. The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International awards 150-200 scholarships per year. Each ranges from $7,000 to $17,000. The candidate must have completed two years of university or have intensively studied a language for a year. Applications can be submitted through local Rotary Club branches. Requirements: application form, autobiography, essay, interview, recommendations, translation of documents. Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Journalism is one of the popular fields, so there are not many foundations working in this area. One of them is the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which annually offers 21 scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000 for students studying mass communication, television, and related fields. For the competition, you need to submit a cassette with your video film. The Academy awards three places in categories: comedy, drama, music programs, documentary, news, sports, animation, etc. Documents can be submitted until December 15. Requirements: application form, personal attendance at the competition.
The Scientific Research Society Sigma Xi Foundation specializes in biology, engineering technology, agriculture, medicine, meteorology, mathematics, and other natural sciences. It awards as many as 850-900 scholarships to students and graduate students of two- and four-year programs, but each is only $100-1,000. Requirements boil down to filling out an application form and providing recommendations.
The foundation of the international consulting firm Deloitte & Touche Foundation provides about 10 scholarships per year to graduate students who have written their coursework and dissertations for a PhD in accounting. The candidate must be studying at an American university and be recommended by professors. Requirements: application form, recommendations, test results, translation of documents.
The Population Council has several financial aid programs for those studying economics and social sciences. One of the Council's programs is aimed at graduate students who plan to continue their education and conduct research at an American university. Preference is given to candidates from developing countries who have an agreement with a firm in their home country and must return home after completing their studies. To compete, a minimum GPA of 3.5 is required, along with a letter of application and your research plan, a completed application form, recommendations, and a transcript.
Another program of this organization is intended for the pre-doctoral level. The scholarship candidate must complete coursework for a master's degree in social studies. Financial aid is provided for the period of dissertation writing. The requirements are the same.
Numerous foundations sponsor graduate students or senior students who study pedagogy, child and youth education, and conduct research in this area. In particular, the Grant Foundation can help you if you study the processes of development and behavior of children, adolescents, and youth, the influence of social environment on them, and methods of preventing problems in their behavior. Along with the application form, you must submit a cover letter explaining how and why you work in a given field. This must be accompanied by a description of the project you intend to carry out. Grants are awarded only to those who have graduated from university; up to 35 grants may be given per year. The grant size ranges from $100,000 to $500,000. There are no deadlines for submitting documents.
As noted above, medical foundations only help residents of the USA and Canada (and in some cases even specific states), members of certain groups, organizations (fellowships). The only organization that undertakes to help foreigners is the American Heart Association, which provides a grant of $25-30 thousand for research in its field. The grant is given for two years and can be extended for another year. For all questions, you should contact the association.
What to do
First of all, you will need information about where to go. To learn more about this and other programs, you need to personally visit the office of the organization you are interested in or spend serious time on the Internet. The websites of many educational institutions have special sections "Financial aid for international students" or "Scholarships". If you have questions while reading, write them down to ask university representatives later by email.
The main thing is to prepare in advance. Do not postpone the issue of obtaining financial aid until the moment of enrollment in the university. It makes sense to request financial aid application forms together with admission forms so that if you are accepted, you will not be tormented by the question of where to get the money.
If you feel that nothing is working, not a single university is responding to your pleas for "financial aid", then go other ways. Do not be afraid to search for information in a variety of sources. Contact the American Educational Center, call the embassy. I know a girl who accidentally met a professor from the higher education institution where she wanted to study, and... convinced him of how talented she is. As a result, she was given a scholarship for four years of study. You can even reach university professors via the Internet. Write them letters, tell them why you need to study with them and get an education in the field they specialize in. Perhaps this will help.