• Advice to Grantseekers
• Schools with Awards
• American Colleges and Universities with Financial Aid
• General Information on Financial Aid
• Scholarships and Financial Aid for Undergraduate Stady: FAQ
• Financial Aid for Undergraduate Students
• Financial Aid for Graduate Students
• Funding for Graduate School
• Postdoctoral Scholars and Researchers
• How to Address Private Foundations
• Ways Not to Get Funded

GENERAL INFORMATION ON FINANCIAL AID

OVERVIEW:

Financial aid for foreign students studying in the United States is extremely limited. 70% of all foreign students are supported by private funds. The remaining 30% are funded by home country governments and organizations, U.S. government agencies, and U.S. colleges and universities. Of that 30%, only 10% receive funds from U.S. colleges and universities.

Funds available in the U.S. for undergraduate study are minimal and can only be obtained from private universities and colleges. Financial assistance is generally based on both academic achievement and financial need and would rarely cover more than tuition expenses.

Although competition is very keen, more financial aid is available for graduate study and research. Aid may come from either public or private institutions or private foundations and organizations. There tends to be greater support available for students in the humanities, social sciences, and natural life sciences. Limited funding is also available in the fields of engineering, business, and management.

In most cases, foreign students are in competition with U.S. students for financial aid funds. Foreign students should therefore explore all opportunities for funding in their own country before applying for U.S. based aid.

Remember that many schools want to internationalize their campuses. If a school has no students from Russia, or has students from Moscow but not Siberia, they may be willing to fund such a student to increase diversity. (Saying "we have students from 50 countries" sounds more impressive than "we have students from 10 countries").

UNDERGRADUATE

a) Who Should Apply?

Students who have a greater chance of obtaining financial assistance ususally have the following:

• Evidence of high academic achievement
• High standardized test scores (SAT, ACH, TOEFL)
• Demonstrable financial need but enough private funding to at least cover part of the cost. Only the most exceptional students could expect to get full support
• A unique talent or skill, or a record of meaningful involvement in extracurricular activities
• Individualized letters of recommendation enumerating the students' abilities
• Applying as a transfer student to finish your last 1 or 2 years may increase your chances for support. An institution is more likely to pay for 2 years of study than 4 years of study.

The aid is usually provided by a U.S. college or university. How substantial the financial support will be depends on the kind of aid that is available. Frequently it will be a combination of the types listed below:

• Merit Based Scholarship -- Based on academic qualifications irrespective of need. The student has no work or repayment obligations.
• Need Based Scholarship -- Aid is based on financial need but usually in conjunction with academic achievement. The student has no work or repayment obligations.
• Athletic Scholarship -- Generally based on athletic ability of the applicant but not completely irrespective of academic performance.
• Part-time Campus Employment -- The student is able to earn money by working on campus for a certain number of hours per week. Some schools require all students to take on-campus jobs thereby reducing the overall cost of education at that university.
• Cooperative Programs -- These programs allow students to alternate periods of full-time study with full-time work. The work generally begins at the end of the sophomore year and adds one year to a 4-year degree.
• University Loans -- Students receive loans which are expected to be repaid after graduation. (Russian students not eligible).
• Advanced Standing -- If a student qualifies, s/he can apply for advanced placement at the institution s/he wants to study at. This does not constitute financial aid in the true sense of the word but is a means of cutting down on costs of the program by reducing its duration.

a) Who Should Apply?

Students will have a greater chance of obtaining financial assistance if they have:

• Evidence of high level of academic achievement
• High standardized test scores (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, etc. )
• Demonstrable financial need but private funding to cover some of the cost. Financial need is not as crucial for some awards at the graduate level
• A field of study or have teaching experience in a subject offered at the undergraduate level (increased opportunities exist for teaching assistantships)
• A field of specialization or research interest which parallels those of the university's department and faculty or the private funding source (increases opportunities for research assistantships and grants)

Sources of funds can come from U.S. universities, private foundations, U.S. government agencies, civic organizations, private companies, etc.

• Scholarships -- Based on academic merit. Generally require no repayment obligations. They usually cover full or partial tuition.
• Fellowships -- Based on academic merit and generally have no teaching or research obligations. Fellowships usually cover tuition plus cash stipend.
• Grants -- Generally based on financial need and merit with no work or reseach obligations.
• Teaching Assistantships -- Awards are based on academic qualifications. They usually require a student to work 15 to 20 hours per week in such areas as lecturing, grading papers, supervising laboratory classes, etc. Students are usually paid a salary or stipend. Additional tuition waivers are sometimes included. "T.A.'s" are offered preferably to advanced students.
• Research Assistantships -- Awards are based on academic qualifications and research interests. The student assists a faculty member to conduct research and is usually paid a salary or stipend. Many assistantships include tuition waivers. Such awards are rarely given to first year students.
• Administrative Assistantships -- Awards are based on need and academic qualifications. They usually require 10 to 20 hours of work per week, generally in the administrative offices of the university. The work may provide a tuition waiver or a salary.

Miscellaneous -- Aid from foundations, government agencies, private organizations, etc. The amount or type of financial assistance varies with each grant. It may or may not require students to perform a service, do research, or to work on a certain study project.