IEFA

Scholarships, Grants, Loans, oh my!

March 5th, 2012 by Jennifer Frankel

If you are planning to study overseas, you may find that going to school in a foreign country can be costly. While you will still have to cover your tuition, books, and living expenses, now you’ll need to factor in additional flight costs, exchange rates, health insurance, etc. While there is no doubt that studying overseas can help you become more competitive in the job market and advance your career, the immediate dent in your wallet could take a toll.

Whether you are an international, study abroad, or foreign enrolled student, you may – like many students – consider looking for external sources to help finance your education. But where should you look? Scholarships, grants, and loans are a great first step to get the funding you need:

Scholarships

Scholarships are a great way to fund your education since you do not need to worry about paying back the money you receive. Some schools provide scholarships to their students based on financial need, or based on your academic merit. Contact your school to determine the availability along with any requirements and deadlines that you may need to meet.

Additionally, there are scholarships that are provided by independent organizations based on a wide range of criteria. Ever heard about the travel video contest by International Student? They awarded $4,000 to the winner for their video describing why they want to study abroad. Because these scholarships are offered by independent organization, there are a wide range of opportunities as they are looking for students with special qualifications, such as academic, athletic or artistic talent.

Check out International Scholarships to begin the scholarship search.

Grants

Grants are typically granted to students based on financial need by a non profit organization, educational institution, government division, business or individual. The higher your financial need, the more likely you are to be awarded a grant – however this can be quite difficult for an international student.

Unlike scholarships that consider other factors such as field of study, qualifications, etc., grants require students to show that they need the grant based on academic need. However, like scholarships, once the money is dispersed, you do not need to worry about paying it back to the organization.

Check out International Education Financial Aid to see what grants are available.

Loans

Unlike scholarships and grants, international student loans are dispersed to those students who apply for the loan. Once the money is dispersed, you will be responsible for paying back the money you borrowed PLUS interest. Loans are typically easier to receive than scholarships and loans, but international students in the US will need to have a US cosigner in most cases who have spent at least 2 years in the United States.

Keep in mind that there are only certain lenders that will loan to international students. Eligibility will be determined not only lender, but also by school. Before beginning the application process, you may want to check to see if you are eligible. Our partner International Student Loan has also done this process for you where they compare lenders based on your eligibility.

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Posted in International Scholarships, International Student Loans

39 Comments

  1. Maniragire jean d'amour says:
    March 5, 2012 at 7:51 pm

    I would like to ask for a scholaship because I need to continue my studies in foreign countries and I am able to submit all required asked things. I am rwandan and I Have finished my secondary studies with good results. For more informations my e-mail adress is available. Thanks.

    Reply
  2. samba traore says:
    March 5, 2012 at 9:22 pm

    hello i need a loan of 25000usd to cover my study in us .i got a scholarship from OHIO CENTER FOR BROADCASTING SCHOOL i got 3000usd awarded i need your help please.

    Reply
  3. Monica Matthews says:
    March 6, 2012 at 12:41 am

    Students can also check with the financial aid office of their current college for options of studying abroad for a semester or two. Their current financial aid package may help cover the expenses.

    Reply
  4. martin emah says:
    March 6, 2012 at 2:58 pm

    please i need either a scholarship or financial aid to help me start school abroad. please am desperate to get back to school. any info? please contact me through this e-mail: emahmfon@mail.com.

    Reply
  5. Sidney khaemba says:
    March 6, 2012 at 3:34 pm

    Hi i am yet to be admitted to phoenix east aviation inc .but i don,t have enough funds to pay for my tution fees.can somebody tell me where i can get scholarships or any form of financial aid. My email alisdairushed@gmail.com

    Reply
  6. Ralph N. Dolopei says:
    March 6, 2012 at 5:23 pm

    Hi,
    I am a Liberian and would like to request for a scholarship to study in foreign country because of my field of studies and low financial income. I also need a financial assistance from the financial aid office to empower me go through my studies. Hope to hear from you soon.
    Kind regards.

    Reply
  7. Raymon hawi says:
    March 7, 2012 at 7:16 am

    I am in need of any financial assistance to help me atleast have a chance to study abroad due to the fact that i have no hopes of making it to the university hence i would wish if there is an opportunity somewhere i would appreciate with all my heart.This is because i have no assistance since i have to work to fend my siblings so there is no good job to sustain both my education and our survival

    Reply
  8. bakary says:
    March 7, 2012 at 2:10 pm

    hi
    iam a new admited i really need to find a schoolarship to pay my studies ,please guide me

    Reply
    • blindblom says:
      March 7, 2012 at 3:53 pm

      Thank you for all of your interest!

      Although we can’t grant you a scholarship, we can direct you to where you need to go:

      Are you looking for more information on loans? Click here.

      Would you like to search for a scholarship? Click here.

      In need of a grant? Click here.

      Good luck finding what you need.

      Reply
  9. ondoa jean bernard says:
    March 7, 2012 at 6:10 pm

    i am cameroonian student , i need financial help to continu with my in usa.

    Reply
  10. KAJUNGU, Obadia says:
    March 8, 2012 at 7:31 am

    Hello,
    I am admitted at OH Northern University for academic year 2012/2013, LL.M in Democratic Governance and Rule of Law.
    I would kindly wish your cordial assistance to meet my costs of studies. And God shall pour onto you and your children abundant of blessings!

    Reply
    • blindblom says:
      March 8, 2012 at 2:41 pm

      Obadia and Ondoa,

      Thank you for your interest. I have sent you each an email with more information on international student loans.

      Please feel free to reply with any questions you might have.

      Reply
  11. festus francis says:
    March 9, 2012 at 3:14 pm

    i want financial assistant to study abroad after my first degree in computer science i want to get my master on imformation technology.Kindly mail thro the address as i will be glad if you can be great assistance.

    Reply
  12. I am Nkeng Emmanuel says:
    March 11, 2012 at 9:30 pm

    I am a masters student in International Law and wish to obtain my phD abroad,please need help studying on loan.

    Reply
  13. kihoto says:
    March 12, 2012 at 11:27 am

    sir,with due respect and humble,i would like to study in usa,but due to my finincial problem i could not able to go,so pleas can i get a student loan or a scholorship from your side.please can you help me out, i will thankfull to you.

    Reply
    • blindblom says:
      March 12, 2012 at 3:03 pm

      Hi Nkeng, Festus and Kihoto,

      Thank you for your interest.

      I have sent each of you an email with information on our international student loans. If you have any questions please let us know!

      Reply
  14. Adam says:
    May 5, 2012 at 1:01 am

    great guide, i’ve actually applied to that video scholarship, but lost =(

    Planning on trying again next year.

    If you guys have any other scholarships for international students or ideas please let me know.

    Reply
  15. Papos Verniel says:
    June 27, 2012 at 5:15 pm

    This web site is mostly a stroll-by for all of the info you wished about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and also you’ll positively discover it.

    Reply
  16. lloyd says:
    July 3, 2012 at 5:25 pm

    HEY folks iam currently living in Botswana i ve been admitted to ASA college in new york city this coming fall i need student loan or scholarship of 4000 usd.thank you email please

    Reply
  17. haruna umar says:
    August 28, 2012 at 5:32 pm

    hi please i want to know how i can get funding to study piloting in pheonix east aviation school without having a cosignor to sign for a loan for me and i am from nigeria.thanks

    Reply
    • Bryanna Lindblom says:
      August 29, 2012 at 9:25 pm

      Hi Haruna,

      Thank you for your question.

      Unfortunately, you will need a US co-signer for your international student loan. This is usually a friend or family member that you already know. You can find out more about your loan options here. Good luck.

      Reply
  18. FRENK JOSEPHATH says:
    November 21, 2012 at 12:45 am

    MAY I GET MORE NEWS

    Reply
  19. frenk josephath says:
    February 17, 2013 at 7:14 pm

    how can I get sponsor for my education

    Reply
  20. nathan says:
    September 4, 2013 at 10:10 pm

    i won a scholarship of 13600 pounds but for me to be able to benefit it i need a maintenance of 7500 pounds for me to be able to go to UK. Could and one help?

    Reply
  21. keerthana says:
    May 25, 2014 at 8:29 am

    Hi I have got 92% in 10th ICSE. I am interested a lot to study more but due to financial problems I am not able to study.so I request you to help me by helping me financially or by providing me scholarship.pls help me to study.I want to become an engineer.so pls help me to study more..

    Reply
  22. Gursharan kaur says:
    April 23, 2015 at 12:43 pm

    hi.. I’m from India.. I have to do study in foreign. I’m good in studies.. but have financial problem.. please help me and tell me what to do. please anybody ..

    Reply
  23. Mumukunde Bernadette says:
    September 11, 2015 at 1:00 am

    Hi!am Bernadette,Rwandan I covered my A1 in midwifery but I have no mean to continue with bachelor’s. and in my country we have no bachelor’s for midwifery but only for educational midwifery. so please I need help for my studies. for more info please contact me on mumudete2020@yahoo.fr

    Reply
  24. Meseret Gudissa says:
    September 18, 2015 at 8:16 am

    hello i need your help to study my education .i want to study my degree in foreign but i have financial problem.please please i need help

    Reply
  25. Ebenezer Adu Gyamfi says:
    November 4, 2015 at 2:42 am

    how can I get the chance to further my education in abroad. am studies nursing and I wants to do degree

    Reply
  26. josef johannes says:
    February 26, 2016 at 4:34 am

    I would like to be awarded a bursary because I am in financial crises.crises. I’m admitted to the University in Namibia but I have no any option to pay my studies.

    Reply

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