Can I Get A Scholarship to Study Abroad?

BY CLARA N. ON JULY 26th, 2019

So here is a question that we get all the time. “Can I get a scholarship to study abroad?” 🤔

Look, even if you’re lucky enough to be receiving financial support from your family, they probably won’t foot your entire college bill plus you want to take the big girl/boy pill and try to help your lovely parents right? So you might want to look at some scholarship opportunities then.

Having said that, international students are not eligible for US federal aid programs and though some state schools will offer in-state tuition to international students, in general attending college/university in the US can be a very costly option. While getting a job as an international student may help offset some expenses, it may not be enough for many others.

But no need to despair, there is still hope 🙂

Keep in mind that scholarships are very competitive and more so for you as an international student. So you want to make sure that you get a really really good SAT score to stay ahead of the pack, market yourself like a Kardashian and get that application with a professional translation sent in on time.

The table below shows a list of 10 schools which really went above and beyond in the 2017-2018 academic year to provide international students with some very impressive financial aid packages.

Consider all your options 

Each of the schools above ranks in the top 50 of their respective categories in US News and World Report’s annual college rankings. This means that you can expect to face some pretty steep competition if you decide to apply to any of them.

International students hoping to gain acceptance will need to have excellent grades and overall applications to be admitted.

Of course, there are plenty of other colleges in the US that offer financial aid to international students. Granted, they may not offer quite as much as the schools listed above, but tuition rates and living expenses vary depending on the location so there’s no reason to assume you won’t be able to afford a school that didn’t make the top ten.

Final thoughts

Becoming an international student in the US can be a daunting process but plenty of US colleges are looking forward to your application, so you can stop feeling overwhelmed and start getting excited to apply.

Prior to deciding where to apply, you need to decide which US College/University would be right for you. If you have a few dream schools in mind, make sure you visit each college’s website and take a virtual tour so you’re updated on the important facts.

Make sure you get advice from college admissions experts. Some of the most helpful international student resources are the student counselors who specialize in assisting students from other countries who want to study in the US.

If your ability to go to college in the US depends on financial aid, make sure you explore all your options including community colleges and DO YOUR RESEARCH. Speak with international student advisers, contact school admission offices, and look into local scholarships you may be eligible for. There are lots of ways to earn cash for colleges, so don’t be discouraged. Start exploring your options today!