International Student Financial Aid: What You Need to Know

August 23rd, 2021 by IEFA

The cost of international education can be a difficult thing to bear for many people and their families without financial assistance. But what about international students who come from outside the United States? International financial aid is available, but it may not be presented in the same way for international students as it is for domestic students

Here are some important aspects of financial aid that international students wishing to study abroad should know about before applying – fees, how to apply and more!

Financial Aid is available for international students

Many international students are hesitant to apply to study abroad because they don’t have many financial resources and expect it to be unaffordable. However, not all expenses are born by the student – there are many financial aid options for international students including scholarships or a student loan.

In the U.S. international students may not be eligible for Federal student aid, but funding such as scholarships are available for a wide variety of fields of study. Some of them may require you to commit to certain countries or regions.

If you’re looking for a scholarship that does not restrict your study choices, there are also scholarships offered by individual states as well as federal scholarships.

How to apply for financial aid as an international student

Applying for financial aid as an international student depends on various factors, but most importantly the source of the funding.

If you’re applying through your school’s financial aid office, you’ll need to fill out the appropriate paperwork. This is the most common way for international students to apply.

If you’re applying directly through a federal or state agency, however, it may be necessary to go in person to their specific offices – sometimes even abroad!

And if you’re applying through a private or independent scholarship provider, you may need to apply directly through their website – there’s no standard application.

This is all part of the reason why it’s so important that international students start planning for financing early!

What you need to know about financial aid before applying

Before you apply, make sure you know the following:

– Whether or not your school offers scholarships specifically for international students. If not, ask if they partner with any external scholarship providers that do!

– Your total cost of attendance. This includes tuition as well as fees and more; it’s important to remember that just because tuition is cheaper doesn’t mean that it’s less expensive for international students once you factor in all of the other costs associated with attending that school.

– Any terms or conditions associated with the funding, such as maintaining a certain GPA, enrolment status or, if applicable, repayment terms.

– Any restrictions associated with the funding, such as specific majors or areas of study or even countries

While applying for financial aid can be a lot of work, and the logistics may seem frustrating, it’s important to remember that this is all part of the application process. The more you know about how much money you’re going to need, your options for getting it and the requirements associated with both funding sources and financial aid before committing to a program, the easier everything else will be.

Funding sources

There are many different sources of funding including:

  • The school or university you are attending
  • Official government programs in your destination country
  • Official government programs in your home country
  • Private sponsors
  • Loans
  • Study and work programs
  • Graduate opportunities that are funded

The cost of your higher education

When it comes to studying abroad, the price of tuition and other fees can add up quickly. You should also keep in mind that the cost of living in your host country could in fact be much higher compared to what you’re used to.

What can you do?

There are many ways for you to finance your study abroad program, so don’t get discouraged! Start saving early and keep track of where your money comes from throughout the entire process. This will help you keep a clear idea of what you have left to go, and how long it’s going to take you get there.

Students with undergraduate degrees can usually apply for fellowships, research grants or internships. They can also look into any available student loans, scholarships offered by their home country or even participating in the Erasmus+ program.

Graduate students may find it easier to get sponsorship or funded courses that include teaching or research.

The most important thing is to do your research to make sure you know about all the costs you can expect to encounter and all the funding possibilities out there.

Working while studying abroad

Even if you’re planning to only study abroad for a short period of time, it may be possible to find a part-time job in your host country to help support yourself financially. It’ll require some planning, but having at least one source of income can make things easier.

If you’re considering working abroad then make sure that your student visa allows this.

Get help from your school’s financial aid office

Your school’s office of financial aid office is going to be the most up-to-date source of information on financing your study abroad experience.

Additional resources

Find scholarships IEFA.org

Find international student loans at InternationalStudentLoan.com

If you’re an international student looking to finance your higher education, it’s important that you know about all of the various options available and what they entail. For example, if your country has a scholarship program for their citizens studying abroad then make sure to apply! Your home government might also have some programs in place that can help subsidize tuition costs or offer additional funding opportunities such as fellowships. If not, don’t worry- many schools partner with external organizations who provide scholarships specifically for international students. You should always research these before committing to a school so you’ll know which ones are worth applying for and which aren’t- especially since there is often more than one option per organization.

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What is the Gilman Scholarship?

August 17th, 2021 by IEFA

Do you want to study in an English-speaking country for your undergraduate degree? Have you considered the Gilman Scholarship? The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program sends students to college abroad, providing up to $5,000 per year for tuition and fees. This scholarship is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs as well as the Institute of International Education (IIE).

If you are interested in applying, here are a few things that you should know about this great opportunity!

What is the Gilman program?

The Gilman Scholarship program is a part of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). It offers scholarships to students who want to study abroad for their undergraduate degrees. The scholarship fund also offers a variety of grants and internships that will help students study or conduct research in the field of international affairs.

The IIE acts as the administering organization for the program. There are three types of Gilman international scholarship:

  • The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
  • The Gilman Undergraduate Research Awards program (UGRA)
  • The International Education Exchange Programs (IEEP)

Each scholarship offers several benefits to the recipients and to the colleges and universities that participate.

Who is eligible for the Gilman Scholarship program?

Students can be high school seniors or college students. If you are a high school senior, you must rank in the top 25% of your class and also have an SAT score above 1200 or an ACT score of 24 in order to apply.

College students must be enrolled at least part-time at their undergraduate institutions. They must also have a full course load and be in good academic standing. If you are currently studying abroad, you will not qualify for the scholarship unless your institution is one of the approved host schools.

How do I apply?

You can apply online on or after October 1st of each year. Official transcripts and applications are required to be submitted by December 1st of every year (the earlier the better). You will also need two reference letters from teachers, university administrators, or employers.

Application deadlines vary from December 1st to April 15th of each year.

Check the website for more details on the application process, eligibility requirements, and any recently added instructions or policies.

How hard is it to get the Gilman scholarship?

It is a highly competitive program. Since so many students want to participate in this amazing program, only a few will be selected as a recipient. This is why you should start working on your application early!

You can also improve your chances by having strong SAT or ACT scores and ranking in the top 25% of your class. Because most applicants have excellent academic records, you will also need strong letters of recommendation and a well-written application. You should already have your reference letter writers lined up before you begin writing your essays for the application process.

How much is the Gilman Scholarship program worth?

Gilman scholars are awarded up to $5000 per year. Recipients may use these funds at any participating university in an approved country.

There are two other types of scholarships that you can apply for through the Gilman program: the Gilman UGRAs and the International Education Exchange Program (IEEP) Awards. These differ from the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, which is the most popular type of scholarship awarded by this program.

The UGRAs offer a wide variety of awards for students who want to carry out research in foreign countries. The purpose of these grants is to fund projects that are related to international affairs or business interests between the United States and other countries. The IEEP also offers to fund to students who wish to participate in a study abroad program for academic purposes.

How does it help undergraduate students?

It’s a great opportunity for those who want to study abroad. It provides up to $5000 per year in financial aid for undergraduates who pursue academic, cultural, or professional enrichment programs abroad.

These funds help you finance any combination of tuition, books, room and board, airfare, visa fees, and other living expenses you need to complete your study abroad program.

It also provides a great opportunity for people who want to conduct research or interact with professionals in foreign countries. If you are interested in studying abroad but do not have the financial support you need, contact one of the program administrators at your school for more details on available awards and grants.

What can this funding be used for?

The funds you receive can be used for tuition, books, room and board, airfare, visa fees, and other expenses related to your educational programs abroad. It is up to the recipient to decide how they wish to use these funds.

You will have a better chance of being awarded the scholarship if you already have a clear idea of what you want to study or the field of research you wish to pursue while studying abroad.

The Gilman Scholarship also provides funding for undergraduate students who want to conduct research in foreign countries or interact with professionals in international relations. If you are interested in pursuing a career related to international affairs, you can request a grant from an organization such as The United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

How does the U.S. Department of state help students?

The Department of State helps students with the Gilman Scholarship by providing $1 billion in funding for all types of grants and scholarships to international students. Of this amount, about $500 million is provided each year for undergraduate and graduate students through the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program.

If you are a current high school student bound for college, the Department of State can help you finance your education. You can apply for funding by following a few simple steps to find out if you qualify and how much money you might receive from the Department of State’s scholarship program.

In Conclusion:

The Gilman scholarship is a great example of how low-income students can get the chance to go abroad and experience new cultures, languages, and ideas. It provides funding for international travel while also teaching them about other parts of the world they may not have been exposed to otherwise. You can find out more information on this scholarship at https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/


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