Introduction:
The cost of U.S. graduate study is increasing annually. Tuition and fees alone rise by 6-8% a year. Present yearly total estimated expenses at U.S. graduate schools range from $15,000-$40,000 (subject to increase), and depend on a variety of factors.
Although graduate schools welcome qualified international applicants, opportunities for financial assistance are limited, extremely competitive and cannot be obtained easily once a student reaches the United States. When available, grants, whether partial
or full, are based primarily on merit, not need, and may be more readily offered in certain fields or levels rather than in others. Financial assistance to the international student may be available only after the first year of graduate study at that ins
titution.
Moreover, in order to be eligible for a student visa to begin a Master's or Doctoral program, the international student must be able to show proof to both the Graduate School Admissions Office as well as to his/her local U.S. Embassy/Consulate of sufficie
nt funds to meet the total annual expenses mentioned above. This proof is often requested well before final decisions on funding are made known to the student.
How can YOU, the qualified international applicant, meet the challenge of funding your graduate education in the United States and maximize your funding options? Here are quick tips:
- Research well; plan ahead; understand costs and visa restrictions; know how to use reference material on grants; network; focus on academic and research interests; and think creatively!
This video hopes to prepare you to respond to these challenges realistically and to help you develop effective strategies for searching for grants. So good luck as we begin planning and researching "Funding for Graduate Study in the USA"!
STEP I: Consult an Advising Center
To begin researching the topic of funding graduate study, visit your nearest Educational Advising Center. Most centers house general reference material with the addresses and admission requirements of various graduate departments, as well as information
on grants. 2 (See STEP IV - Identifying Useful Resources.) Many also maintain additional reference and grants material which is country specific . Special group sessions or lectures on admissions and funding possibilities may also be available.
To locate the educational advising center nearest you, contact the American Embassy, consulate or USIS office in your country.
STEP II: Calculating Annual Expenses:
Since tuition costs increase annually and vary from institution to institution, it is best to contact the institution you are applying to for updated estimates. Your advising center may also have information and reference material on this topic.
When calculating annual expenses, it is important to keep in mind the TOTAL annual costs of studying and living in the United States, such as tuition, university fees, books, health insurance, housing, food, settling in and "hidden" expenses , plus travel
to and from your home country and within the USA.
Examples of additional factors which may affect your annual budget are: 1) whether you are traveling alone or with a family; 2) your geographic location within the United States (the COL varies from state to state, and sometimes even from city to city); 3
) whether or not you purchase a car; 4) whether you live on or off campus, 5) whether your dorms close during vacations.
Remember: Present U.S. immigration regulations restrict employment outside the university for both international graduate students and their spouses and should NOT be calculated as a potential source of income. Furthermore, on-campus employment opportunit
ies are extremely limited and competitive and cannot be calculated as a definite or substantial source of income. Your advising center will be able to provide you with more specific information on this topic.
A pamphlet developed by USIA entitled: "If you Want to Study in the United States - Graduate Study" contains a section on "Evaluating your Ability to Finance US Study" with a detailed table and explanation of the various costs graduate students must consi
der. It also contains a financial worksheet to help you plan your expenses more realistically.
Another useful publication on costs is the College Board's "The College Handbook - Foreign Student Supplement" which includes a section for graduate students and data on admissions, costs and financial assistance possibilities for international students.<
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A word about Taxation:
The laws covering taxation for the international student are influenced by a variety of factors. In general, however, wages and any other compensation for services performed in the United States, including Teaching and Research Assistantships, are taxable
. For further information, contact your U.S. university's International Student Adviser or a tax professional.
STEP III: When, where and how to Search for Grants - Strategic Planning!
A. The Importance of Timing and Advance Research - WHEN
It is never too soon to begin thinking about how to finance your graduate education. In general, students should begin the application process 18 months before the intended date of study. Ideally, planning and researching financial assistance should begin
at about the same time, but certainly no later than twelve (12) months before the following school year.
What are the steps involved in applying for financial assistance? - Identify and target possible resources; - Write away for initial information; - Wait for responses; - Organize and complete sometimes complicated, time-consuming application requests; -
Return completed financial assistance applications well ahead of the final deadline date indicated on forms. These dates may be much earlier than regular application deadlines i.e. as early as 8-9 months before commencement of classes.
Remember: Competition for grants is keen; an incomplete, tardy, poorly written or messy application could make the difference between you and the other applicant. Plan ahead, plan well, prepare carefully and follow instructions! Give yourself plenty of ti
me to put together a quality request for financial assistance and make sure that your application, including application fee, transcripts, standardized test results , letters of recommendation and essays are complete and returned to the institution well a
head of all deadlines. B . Targeting Sources of Financial Assistance: WHERE
There are several types of assistance available, and your Educational Adviser can help you identify those which may be appropriate for you. You may also wish to peruse "If you want to Study in the United States - Graduate Study", pages 30-34, from which p
art of the following was taken (marked in parentheses):
- "Home Country Sources include government scholarship programs, regional assistance programs, local or third country organizations, or businesses, banks or religious institutions which may offer aid to graduate students from your country."
- "U.S. Government funding may be available in the form of Fulbright awards for graduate and postgraduate scholars and researchers, programs sponsored by USAID for short term graduate study or masters levels, or various regional government sponsored progr
ams functioning in your home country. Since the terms and conditions of these grants vary from country to country, it is best to contact your nearest Fulbright Commission, USIS office or Educational Advising Center for further information."
It should be noted that U.S. Federal and State financial aid is available only to U.S. citizens.
- "U.S. private sector funding may be available from private U.S. agencies, foundations, businesses, corporations and professional associations interested in furthering international exchange. Most grants in this category are targeted to a specific group
of people or field or level of study. You should only apply for awards if you match specifications indicated."
This type of search will require you to become familiar with the various reference material available and to develop strong writing and communication skills (see "Available Publications" and "Strategies and Techniques" sections below) in order to prepare
effective proposals.
- "Creative funding" involves a combination of skills: A strong knowledge of available print and non print resources, good communication skills and a sharp and entrepreneuring imagination! This category requires time and proper research, but the results,
although moderate, could be surprisingly effective. Who should you write to for ideas on creative funding? Here are just some examples - you may have many more creative ideas of your own: - Various immigrant societies or professional associations; - B
usinesses and corporations, both within your country or the United States, who may be interested in investing in human resources within the field of international education; - The language department of the university to which you are applying in order to
offer your services as an instructor/aide in that department (assuming that your intended field of study is other than that language); - The housing office of the university in order to offer your services as a resident adviser in the undergraduate dormi
tories; - The Community Services or International Students office to offer to your services as a resource or presenter on your home country and its culture; - The Sports Department of a university if you excel in a specific event, either as a player or co
ach.
- University based aid may be available in the form of teaching, laboratory or research assistantships as well as fellowships, and are based almost exclusively on merit. They may cover partial or full tuition, with or without an additional monthly stipend
. Modules One and Three of this video series define these categories in more detail and give the academic implications of receiving such awards. "If you want to Study in the United States- Graduate Study," pages 32-34, also you gives further information.<
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This video focuses on trends and myths concerning university based aid. Further along you will find helpful hints on strategies and techniques for applying within this category.
Understanding trends and myths in university based funding:
(1). It should NOT be assumed that financial assistance can easily be obtained after getting to the United States; actually, in most cases the opposite is true. Therefore, plan ahead and inquire well in advance before leaving your home country.
(2). In general, more university-based funding is available on the doctoral rather than master's level and in the hard and applied, natural and life sciences as opposed to the humanities, education and social sciences.
(3). Funding is rare for the international student intending to pursue a terminal masters or professional degree in business, law, or any of the health related professions or therapies.
(4). Limited financial assistance may be available to talented graduate students in the fine, applied, visual or performing arts who are interested in an MFA, MM or MARCH, for example.
(5). Resources available to individual departments in a university vary from year to year, since departments depend on funding they receive from state and federal agencies as well as private institutions. Thus, a graduate student receiving financial assis
tance one year cannot automatically assume that this assistance will continue through the entire period it takes to complete that degree. It is best to clarify such matters ahead of time directly with the department in question.
(6). Funding may be more readily available to students beginning their graduate studies during the fall semester. There may be less chances for funding for those beginning in the middle of the year (spring semester), assuming that option is available, sin
ce departmental budgets are usually planned on an annual rather than semesterial basis.
(7). Not every student accepted to a doctoral program automatically gets funding, full or partial; you must apply like everyone else.
(8). You may have better chances for acceptance and funding in the long run if you can show the department and graduate admissions office that you are able to contribute something from your own funds for at least the first year.
(9). For further updates on your topic of interest, it is best to check with professors, employers and professionals in your field. Professional journals and publications may also be helpful.
C. Strategies and techniques for Applying for Funding - HOW
There is no way to guarantee funding for graduate study. However, here are some tips which may increase your chances.
We have already discussed the importance of timing and knowing what types of grants are available. Let's focus in on university based funding, since techniques for this category can be applied to almost all other categories.
(1). Who should you contact?
When applying for funding from a university, keep in mind that in most cases, decisions to award grants are made by that school's specific department, while final admission decisions rest in the hands of the Graduate Admissions Office. You should therefor
e write to both the Graduate Admissions Office for general and application material and at the same time write to the specific department for material on specific programs and research interests. You may want to cross reference your letters to each office
to avoid possible duplication of information. However, to find out the exact address or department to write to for questions on anything from applications to financial assistance to housing, consult the publication entitled: "The Official GRE/CGS Directo
ry of Graduate Programs, Volumes A-D" which lists under Section 4 of each volume all the graduate school addresses by function and department.
Remember: Contact with a professor alone may not be sufficient to complete the application process. In many cases, departments recommend admissions and funding but the graduate admissions office determines final approval and issues all documents necessary
to apply for student visas.
(2). Begin professional "networking":
(a) Investigate departmental activities and research fields. Check to see if your projects or research activities coincide with those of the department in question. Most Advising Centers contain university catalogs and many also stock specific in depth re
ference books by subject such as "The Directory of Engineering Graduate Studies", "The Graduate Guide to Psychology", "The Official Guide to MBA Programs", just to name a few, which provide excellent profiles into the orientation, professional and researc
h objectives of each department.
(b) Talk to your local professors and professional colleagues who may know U.S. counterparts in specific departments stateside.
(c) Read articles/papers/journals in your field of interest and note the author's name, department and school.
(d) Follow internet discussion groups.
(e) Try to attend conferences/lectures given by U.S. faculty in your field, both locally and abroad.
(3) Write a convincing second letter to the department:
(a) After you receive material from the department, have done some advance research and professional networking, you are now ready to write them a more in depth letter.
(b) The objective of this letter is get the department's attention and transmit your awareness and understanding of their activities. You also should try to show how your and their professional and research interests coincide. - Mention mutual projects or
publications of interest; - Refer to mutual acquaintances who may have referred you to them or vice versa; - Inform them of any teaching, research or work experience you may have in their field; - Tie in your interests and fields of interest with their
s; - Plan to take all required standardized examinations by October of the year preceding the start of studies, and advise the department; - Type or word process your letter and all material you submit - neatness and presentation are important - and be
sure to submit a complete application to the department and admissions office well ahead of published deadlines!
Remember: One of the best ways to increase your chances for acceptance AND funding is to find the best possible professional or research "match" between you and a department. It may not be to your advantage to apply to a department solely on the basis of
a university's name, geographic location, cost, or publicized rankings. Make sure that your and the department's professional and/or research goals coincide! Explore the many diversified options available throughout the United States.
(4). Communication and Writing Skills:
Develop effective communication and writing skills, both for the numerous essays and proposals you may be asked to write as well as in preparation for your academic studies. Your Advising Center should have articles and reference material on the topic of
writing effective proposals, graduate essays, curriculum vitae, and may even hold special lectures on topics such as "Writing a good Statement of Purpose".
(5). General Tip: One final tip which applies to all types of funding, whether university based, private, home country or U.S. government sponsored: Apply only to those programs or organizations for which you qualify.
STEP IV: Identifying Useful Resources - Available publications
The following books should be available at your Advising Center:
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY:
* (1) "The Official GRE/CGS Directory of Graduate Programs, Volumes A-D", 14th edition, 1995-96. Published annually. Educational Testing Service/Council of Graduate Schools, Princeton, NJ
Section I of each volume contains information on types of financial assistance available, percent receiving aid and if aid is available from the first year. Section 3-"Narratives" discusses each university's research activities and describes how requests
for financial aid are handled. Section 4-"Addresses" lists schools by state, and with individual addresses within university to write to for assistantships, fellowships, general information.
* (2) "Peterson's Annual Guide to Graduate Study 1995, Volumes 1-6". Published annually. Peterson's Guides, Princeton, NJ
Contains department-specific information on financial aid deadlines, contact names and often gives faculty research emphasis of a department. Full page descriptions offer detailed contact as well as faculty and research information. Good admissions and re
search information arranged by field/subject of study, gives regular and financial aid deadlines.
* (3) "The College Handbook : Foreign Student Supplement", 1996, Published annually. College Board Publications, New York.
Includes a section on Undergraduate and Graduate Schools with details on academic year costs, financial aid availability and deadlines.
* (4) "Peterson's Grants for Graduate and Post-Doctoral Study", 4th Edition, 1995, compiled by the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Peterson's Guides, Princeton, NJ
Offers details on 1,400 fellowships, scholarships, grants, awards and prizes from university and private sources. Helpful information provided in each grant insert; good article on the grant seeking process in Introduction.
* (5) "Foundation Grants to Individuals, 8th Edition" 1993, The Foundation Center, New York.
Focuses on over 2,000 private US foundations which offer assistance to individuals, as opposed to institutions. Contains a section on 45 grants for Foreign Individuals (pages 319-329); could be useful for "creative funding"; has good indexes. Mostly appli
cable to US Citizens or possibly dual citizens.
* (6) "Annual Register of Grant Support, 28th Edition", 1995. R.R. Bowker, Reed Reference Publishing Company, NJ
Contains over 3,000 entries and good introduction on program planning and proposal writing. Good to use for "private" and "creative" funding. Not all entries apply to international students and individuals. Subject index should be used carefully.
* (7) "The Foundation Directory", 1993 Edition, The Foundation Center, New York.
Contains over 6,000 entries geared mostly to institutions, not international individuals. Subject index may offer hints for creative searches.
* (8) "The College Blue Book - Scholarships, Fellowships, Grants and Loans". Now available on CD-ROM.
Mainly for US citizens but may contain some entries applicable to international students.
* (9) Pamphlets in the USIA series "If You Want to Study in the United States", 1992, United States Information Agency, Washington, DC. Series of five pamphlets entitled: "Technical and Vocational Study", "Undergraduate Study", "Graduate Study", "Scholars
/Professionals", "Pre-Departure Information".
(10) "Directory of Grants in the Humanities", 1994/95, 8th Edition, Oryx Press, Phoenix.
Over 3,800 entries. Detailed subject index spanning a variety of topics both within and outside the humanities. Not specifically for international students but may be useful.
(11) "Money for Performing Artists", 1991, American Council for the Arts, New York.
Over 200 entries geared mostly to US citizens but may be helpful in "creative" funding.
(12) "A Selected List of Fellowship and Other Support Opportunities for Advanced Education for United States Citizens and Foreign Nationals", 1993, National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA.
Includes chart with listings of various grants by level of study and citizenship restrictions, if applicable.
(13) "Financing Graduate School", by Patricia Wade, 1993, Peterson's Guides, Princeton.
Includes limited information on sources of financial assistance to international students.
(14) "Beyond the Ivy Wall" - 10 Essential Steps to Graduate School Admission", Howard Greene and Robert Minton, 1989, Little Brown and CO, Boston.
Includes chapters on "Planning your finances: Grants, Loans and other options" and "How to Market your Strengths".
(15) "Writing your College Application Essay", Sarah Myers McGinty, 1991, College Entrance Examination Board, New York. Tips on how to write essays for undergraduate schools.
(*) These publications are presently part of USIA's Minimum Reference Bibliography.
CONCLUSION:
Timing, good networking and communication skills, advance research, creativity and a realistic understanding of today's funding situation in U.S. universities and the public and private sector will hopefully prepare you to meet the challenge of funding yo
ur graduate study effectively and accurately.
For those students who can rise to that challenge, the rewards, both tangible and intangible, are many. Good luck!
Prepared by: Evelyn Levinson, Director
Educational Information Service, US-Israel Educational Foundation Tel Aviv, Israel
December 1995
Telephone: 972-3-5172131 Fax: 972-3-5162016
E-mail: elevinson@fulbright.org.il
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