The latest data covering international students in the USA and American students studying abroad has been released – here are the highlights:
Over 1 million international students studied in the US in 2019/20, including those taking an academic program and those on OPT (Optional Practical Training).
That’s over 5% of the total number of enrolled students, but it is almost 2% (or 20,000 students) lower than the previous period. Early indications suggest that due to the pandemic international student enrolment in 2020 could be down by a further 16%.
Almost 350,000 US students studied abroad for academic credit in the 2018/19 academic year (the latest data available).
That’s almost 2% higher than the previous year – continuing the trend which has only been increasing for over 10 consecutive years.
Incoming students to the US came mainly from China (35%) and India (18%).
The top 10 countries of origin for incoming students were:
California was the individual state that hosted the most international students in total (with over 160,000).
The single most popular institution in the US for international students was New York University – hosting over 20,000 students from around the world!
Outgoing US students’ top destinations were the UK (11%), Italy (11%) and Spain (10%).
The top 10 destination countries for US study abroad students were:
For more on this data please visit https://opendoorsdata.org/annual-release/
If you’re studying abroad you may be able to fund part of your education with a loan:
Read more on the blog.
Or search our scholarships listings.
IEFA sends our warmest congratulations to Fiqah Rahman, the winner of the $4,000 Grand Prize winner of the InternationalStudent.com TVC: Life After Lockdown for her entry “In the Light of Covid-19”.
Fiqah, who comes from Brunei, is pursuing a Masters degree in Documentary Filmmaking at New York University and hopes to diversify the film industry by shining a spotlight on underrepresented groups.
You can also see the other prize-winning entries:
Aashna Singh is the $500 Second Place Winner with “The Home of an International Student”
The $250 Third Place Winner was “Dear 2021” by Anna Julia De Camargo Correa
And the $1,000 Viewers’ Choice Winner was Larissa Silveira with “Story of My Life”
Many congratulations to all the winners!
CAN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS GET SCHOLARSHIPS?
Many colleges and universities around the world offer scholarships for international students as part of their financial aid packages. If you’re studying outside of your home country, you should definitely see if there are scholarships for international students available at the school you will be attending.
An international scholarship will help to offset the cost of attendance at a university abroad.
More than one million international students study at U.S. colleges and universities every year. With many more studying in other countries around the world, too.
Universities and private sponsors offer a wide array of programs with various amounts for tuition and fees. Many schools offer international student scholarships in order to attract a diverse range of students to study at their institution.
Getting a study abroad scholarship can make a huge difference if you want to study in another country. Why? Because the majority of schools often have two levels of tuition fees. One for residents of the state or country you study in, and the other for non-residents. Without additional financial aid it is difficult to afford an international education.
Full ride scholarships pay the cost of tuition in full – plus, other expenses like fees, meals and housing.
In the US alone, according to the Fulbright Commission, over 600 universities offer scholarships worth $20,000 or more to international students. Around 250 schools in the US offer ‘full ride’ scholarships.
The Rotary Peace Fellowship is one example of a full-ride scholarship for international students. This scholarship covers tuition, fees, housing and travel costs. It also covers internship and field study expenses. It is for international graduates who want to pursue a master’s degree in areas related to peace, conflict prevention and resolution.
The process of applying for an international scholarship will vary from one school to another – or if you are applying with an external sponsor. There is some paperwork to complete in order to apply. As a student from another country, this may be complex as depending on your destination country you may need to fill out forms that are not in your native language.
In many cases you’ll want to make sure to practice your English writing skills if you are applying to attend school in an English-speaking country.
It is quite common for scholarship applications to require an essay to be submitted along with the paperwork.
Before you apply, do some research on the values held high by your intended school. Apart from good grades many schools are looking for students with character. Leadership, experience in work or as a volunteer, and good communication skills are also highly valued.
Do your best to communicate all of the above in your application and adhere to any special requirements the school or sponsor has. And make sure you stick to the application deadline as a late entry will not usually be considered.
For listings of scholarships for international students, see IEFA.org.
Many study abroad programs around the world offer scholarships. You should look for nonprofit organisations in your field and check your university website for their undergraduate and graduate scholarships listings.
The types of scholarship program available might depend on your status – whether you are studying abroad for a semester or full degree. Your status as an undergraduate or graduate student also plays a role in the type of scholarship you may be eligible for. Similarly with a phd scholarship.
In any case, the majority of international scholarships do not charge any application fees – if you are applying for a private scholarship and are asked for a payment up front in order to secure the scholarship, you should be very cautious and ensure that this is a reputable organization – be wary of scams targeting vulnerable international students.
Many countries have universities that offer scholarships to international students.
The United States is one of the most popular with students from other countries. But if you are an American and want to earn your degree abroad, there may be options too – just as if you are an international student in any country.
For example, if you want to study in China there are Chinese government scholarships. There are Bahrain scholarship for international students,
There are tuition-free public universities in Germany. Norway, Australia, Sweden are other countries that encourage international students to study there through incentives such as scholarships.
There are many uk scholarships for international students.
Find an extensive list of scholarship opportunities at IEFA.org/scholarships.
Information about Scholarships in Canada.
US Citizens studying abroad: Can You Get Financial Aid For Studying Abroad
International Students in the US: Financial Aid For International Students in the US: Explained
You may also be interested in reading about Engineering Scholarships.
Find Universities that offer full scholarships.
If you’re a student from the United States, you could be eligible for financial support through the standard federal FAFSA program, meaning studying at a foreign university may not be as difficult to finance as you’d imagined! You might want to study abroad as part of an exchange program for a semester or an academic year, or even for your undergraduate degree or as a graduate student.
Do you have a dream of studying in the UK, France, Germany, Italy or somewhere else?
Technically the “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” is the Federal Student Aid system operated by the US Department of Education.
Every year, many thousands of US students and permanent residents complete the FAFSA application forms to check their financial aid eligibility for their higher education and receive financial aid. These could be grant programs or loans (or both). Of course the main difference between a grant and a loan is that you have to repay the loan.
Yes! Federal Student Loan funding can be used to pay for your studies at an international school!
There are roughly 750 institutions outside of the US (about 600 in Europe and the rest in other countries) that have been approved by the US Department of Education to use federal funding or to defer other study loan payments. Unfortunately federal grants (i.e. Pell Grants) through this program are not eligible for study abroad.
Whether or not foreign universities are eligible for federal loans is decided by the US Department of Education. There is an official list of recognised international schools. You can find it at studentaid.gov.
Europe is home to some of the world’s most famous and most historic universities like Oxford and Cambridge in the UK and many around the continent offering high quality education and wonderful international experience. It’s an incredibly popular destination for international students from the US and around the world. Many universities are eligible for study abroad funding. You can find out if the school you choose is eligible by looking at the US Department of Education list, or checking a site like InternationalStudentLoan – because if a school is approved for private student loans then it must be approved for federal loans. Don’t forget that you must also be attending an approved program at the school.
If the Federal Student Aid isn’t enough or you don’t qualify, maybe you can get a study abroad scholarship or student loan from a private sponsor or lender – these are some of your financial aid options. Study abroad scholarships, grants and similar financial aid for study and awards may be available directly from schools or private institutions. Loans may be available from private lenders, but in order to be eligible for private loans, a school must be eligible for FAFSA loans first.
You should speak to the student financial aid office to find out what support the school offers to their international students.
Check to see if your chosen university is approved for FAFSA, and if they aren’t ask them if they offer financial aid packages or private loans for international students or know of any lenders that do.
You should see if there are study abroad scholarships offered by your chosen school and private scholarships – you can search these at internationalscholarships.com
Find a loan:
Read Next: How to find study abroad scholarships
For 15 years, InternationalStudent.com has been organising a contest for international students to create a video about an aspect of their life and their experiences or hopes of studying abroad.
Despite the very different landscape for international student travel we’re experiencing in 2020, InternationalStudent.com is bringing the contest back – and this year it has a special tagline: Life After Lockdown.
The concept is simple – create a video up to 2 minutes long about one or both of the following:
Do this well enough to impress the judges and you could win the top prize of $4,000.
There are also prizes for the 2nd and 3rd place entries, as well as $1,000 for the Viewers’ Choice Award Winner which is voted on by the InternationalStudent.com community!
The submission deadline is 13 October 2020, so be sure to check out all the rules and details by visiting International Student Travel Video Contest
Good luck!
Want more – read the IEFA Blog.
Who Provides Study Abroad Scholarships?
Scholarships can come from many different sources and you’re typically eligible to receive more than one form of financial support. Review the guidelines for each scholarship or award to see what opportunities you qualify for.
There are various sources of funding for the financial aid, such as:
Sponsoring institutions may be run or influenced by people who have studied abroad themselves and because of that they truly understand the value of experiencing an international education.
The availability of scholarships for international students will vary from country to country. Whichever scholarships you apply for, remember to be patient and persistent – as the application process and decision-making can take time. That being said, scholarships are an excellent way to help you finance your study abroad dreams.
What Can a Study Abroad Scholarship Cover?
Depending on which of the many scholarships you decide to apply for and who is sponsoring it, the terms of the scholarship, and what it can be used to pay for (and what it can’t be used for) can vary greatly.
Most scholarships are supposed to cover your basic cost of studying. This might include the cost of tuition, registration fees, books, and other school-related costs. With some scholarships, a portion of living costs may also be covered, such as the cost of food and accommodation (sometimes referred to as “room and board”.
Some international scholarships are much less strict. They will award you a sum of money which you can put towards your studies however you feel is appropriate depending on your circumstances. Of course that doesn’t mean you can just spend the money on whatever you like, it should all be used to fund your education – not for social activities or any other purpose. The difference is that you’re more in control of your own budget and can use the financial aid as you see fit.
It’s important to think about when the study abroad scholarship money will be released to you. Funds are most commonly paid out in a lump sum before the start of the fall semester, but in some cases, may be paid out in instalments over the course of the year. In the case of a study abroad scholarship that is paid out in instalments, in order to keep receiving the payments you may be required to maintain a certain level of academic merit.
Scholarships can be either paid to finance office of the school or to the student directly. Your school or the sponsoring organization will have their own procedures for when scholarship funds will be awarded. You should ask in advance so that you’re able to work out your budget effectively.
Scholarships for Undergraduate Students and Graduate Students
Whether you’re an undergraduate or graduate student, there may be different funding options for you, so remember to explore all the options.
How to Find Scholarships to Study Abroad in 2021
For huge numbers of students, the idea of studying abroad is incredibly exciting and interesting. They want to experience a different culture first-hand, work on their communication skills in a foreign language, or just explore the world as an international student.
Depending on the destination you choose and the type of program you enrol in, it can either be really expensive or could even save you money. But finding a study abroad scholarship to study abroad can reduce the overall cost, otherwise for some, the dream of studying at a school overseas may be out of reach.
To find scholarships to study abroad, first think about the destinations and courses that you are interested in. Contact the schools that you would like to attend to see what aid is available for international students, and use the IEFA.org scholarship search for the latest list of available scholarships.
Related Content
Studying in the United States vs. Canada
Financial Aid For International Students in the US: Explained
10 things you need to know about international student loans
Scholarships in medical fields
In this post we’re comparing studying as a foreign student in the USA with studying in Canada – if you’re interested in studying in either country then you’re in the right spot-as we will discuss some of the big advantages of studying in each.
Now let’s dive straight in!
A degree in Canada is just as good as a degree from the U.S., Australia, or the UK.
Canadian universities are doing well in international rankings and Canadian universities rate among the world’s top 50 universities.
There’s no question that a Canadian education is a world-class education, whether you’re attending a university, college, or technical school.
The most important obstacle for most students seeking to study abroad is the cost.
And while international students pay higher tuition fees at Canadian universities than domestic students, the average annual tuition for a Canadian undergraduate degree for a foreign student is considerably lower than in the United States , Australia, or the United Kingdom.
Foreign students must also find housing and support their everyday lives. The cost of living in Canada is quite affordable compared with many other top destinations for foreign students. And when you consider the average annual cost of living to be lower than other countries with also lower average annual tuition fees, Canada tends to be a really good opportunity, indeed.
It is possible to get an International Student Loan to study in Canada, too.
You can also search our database of scholarships for international students.
While Canada is a relatively affordable option globally, studying abroad is undeniably expensive.
International students in Canada are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during school term and full time (30 hours a week) during scheduled breaks, such as holidays. Most students don’t have to get a work permit to work when studying.
Another big reason many students choose to come to Canada is personal safety. Studying abroad can be frightening, because you are leaving your family and friends – your safety net – at home. The Institute for Economics & Peace ranked Canada 8th most peaceful nation in the world. The location and relative isolation of Canada geographically provides a bit of a shield against most international disputes.
Canada has a freely elected government, and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms of Canada guarantees the fundamental rights and freedoms of those living in Canada. Canada’s worldwide reputation is as an inclusive and non-discriminatory society. Immigrants make up 20 percent of Canada’s entire population and Canadian regulations ensure that all citizens are protected from prejudice whatever their circumstances may be.
You typically get temporary status as a foreign student in the country where you are studying. You need to get back home when you graduate.
However, contrary to other countries, Canada has a variety of programmes that enable foreign students to be moved to permanent resident status after their studies. Options like the Post-Graduation Work Permit encourage students to live and work on an unrestricted work permit after graduation, which lets them gain some Canadian work experience. Most provinces in Canada have Provincial Nominee systems for applicants with studying or working experience in the province, and the point-based immigration scheme rewards Canadian job and education experience. Approximately half of all foreign students consider applying for permanent residency in Canada after completing their studies.
Canada is one of the world’s largest economies, and students are given plenty of opportunities to work. You have the chance to communicate with stakeholders of your chosen sector and network with them. And while you study, or after graduation, you could gain valuable experience working for industry-leading Canadian companies.
Your Canadian education and improved language skills in either English or French may provide global opportunities should you want to return to your home country or move abroad.
Canadian employers seem to prefer Canadian work experience over foreign work experience, so if you do chose to live in Canada your experience could make you stand out from other applicants!
It is estimated that 48 of the top 100 universities worldwide are in the USA. Flexibility in academic fields is one of the biggest factors which distinguishes US colleges from other universities around the world.
Usually, you are not required to specify your major until after your second year of study. Most students take advantage of these two years to explore different academic goals before deciding on a major. Students are expected in most other nations to determine their field of study before even applying.
Many U.S. colleges mandate that you take general or “core” education classes.
They provide you with the opportunity to learn about a wide range of academic topics – not just your major or concentrated research area. These classes, often entitled “liberal arts”, cover many subjects from writing to sciences and philosophy.
With an internship, you will get a head start on your career – opportunities are provided by most US colleges. You will gain hands-on experience and exposure to your profession in the real world, plus the possibility of better-paid jobs after graduation because you already have some experience in the job.
Read about working in the US
Colleges in the U.S. offer a wide array of sports , clubs, societies and events outside the classroom, so whatever you are interested in – you will find it right there on campus!
Students studying in the US come from all over the world. You’ll be able to meet new people from various backgrounds every day , learn new languages, make friends and learn about other cultures – and share your own!
Most schools have a dedicated office devoted solely to assisting their international students with any needs. They can help you develop your English, or deal with visa problems, financial support, and even help you adapt to cultural differences which can be quite a big deal in a new country.
When studying in the US one important thing to remember is that it can be very costly – far more costly than many other countries in the world. Through this article you will find out more about how to finance your education in the USA:::Link::
Then you can find out whether you qualify for a loan to study in the US:
You can also search our database of scholarships for international students.
And there you have it! Lots of great reasons why you would want to study in the United States or Canada! Let us know where you want to go in the comments below!
In this video we break down all the Financial Aid Opportunities for International Students in the US.
If you’re specifically looking for a loan, then you can use the tool on our site to see if you are eligible.
If you’re looking for a scholarship, then you can search through our database on our Scholarships Page.
It’s also the most expensive. International students have to pay for tuition, room & board, transportation, health insurance, books, and supplies – and international graduate students may not have all that money saved in advance.
So how can international students pay all these expenses? It’s not easy, but you can realise the dream of studying in the US with hard work and some financial aid.
The U.S. federal government gives international students limited financial support. But while most foreign citizens are not eligible for federal aid or government student support or federal loans, the U.S. Department of Education states that:
“Many non-U.S. Citizens qualify for federal student assistance. Don’t assume you can’t get help because you’re not a citizen.”
Under certain circumstances, non-citizens may be eligible for U.S. federal student aid funding. If you are applying for an international student visa, you may be eligible for the U.S. government-funded programmes:
However, as an international student, you are most likely not eligible for US government financial aid.
But there are other alternatives that can help fund your education.
Always start looking at home. If you’re an outstanding student with great potential, your own home country’s government may be willing to send you to an American college or university to learn at some of the best institutions, and then return home to apply your newly acquired skills.
To give you some examples of these programs:
You should talk to the education department of your home country for government aid and your US embassy or consulate to see if such aid or government-funded programs are available.
Universities are often flexible in offering financial aid options and support to international students. You can usually find plenty of international student financial aid information on the website of your school or by talking to your Admissions Office or International Student Services Office, or the Financial Aid Office.
You can find information on budgeting, the cost of your education, student financial aid application, resources and any financial support you can access.
For their students, most colleges have either need- or merit-based, financial assistance and aid packages, which can come in various forms.
Some schools have introduced a “need-blind” admissions policy, meaning you’re accepted based on your academic merits and don’t look at your financials.
It’s important to talk to your admissions office about what financial aid you ‘re eligible for. You may be aware of additional completion forms and deadlines.
Schools differ greatly in the international financial aid offered to students. If the school is well-funded, wants to diversify its student population, or has special interests in certain fields of graduate study, it may be willing to offer a generous financial aid package to attract international students.
International students can get up to a full scholarship to participate on their school’s sport teams. If you’re a talented athlete, this could be your ticket to a US school.
There are agencies travelling the world searching for students who have excelled in their sport and will match you with a coach recruiting for their school. The coach will have the final say as to whether you get selected — and whether there is a financial package to go along with that.
Many schools are looking and have the funds to build a specific academic department. Whether you excel in math, business, or physics, there may be a scholarship for you. You’ll need to contact the Department Head to see if they’re willing to help you. These scholarships are often available in STEM fields — science , technology , engineering, and mathematics. These departments are seeking new research and expertise, so you need to show your track record and make the investment worthwhile.
A tuition waiver allows students not to pay a portion of their tuition. While not all schools grant international students a tuition waiver, a handful to do. The school will specify the requirements to be met before international students qualify for a waiver of tuition. It can be based on citizenship, academic performance, or part of a fellowship or grant. Do your research, look at the school’s website, and talk to your admissions counsellor or an international student advisor to find out more about eligibility.
Many organisations worldwide have created scholarships and grants to offer aid to help students study abroad. But these awards can be competitive. There are thousands of scholarships and grants out there, but remember to put the time and effort into each application to increase the likelihood of winning the award. Have your application reviewed and submit as many as you can. You can search for international education scholarships on IEFA.org.
Working in the U.S. to supplement your financial support is difficult for international students. F-1 students may work part-time on campus if they are in good academic standing or have completed their academic programme. For OPT or CPT approval, your work must be directly related to your major. Check with your International Student Advisor if you can work during your studies.
If you pursue higher education degrees, some international organizations can help you study in the U.S., including the United Nations and the World Health Organization, to name a few. Again, these international scholarships are extremely competitive, but they can be amazing if you have the qualifications and skills to do so.
If you still need funds, there are international student loans that can cover your U.S. education’s total cost, including your tuition, transportation, some living expenses and food expenses. As long as you attend an accredited school, several lenders will work with international students. In most cases, you can apply online and get approval within days. Remember, international student loans allow you to borrow money, but you’ll need to pay back the money with additional borrowing costs. Check all the details and compare lenders to find the right international student loan.
The world we are currently living in is a society that thrives and depends heavily on computers and technology so this 2019-2020.
Gone are the days when we can function at our best without all the needed technological complexities. Now, we not only need the right equipment and computers but also the right minds to work on today’s tech-driven world.
That’s where Indeema comes in.
Indeema is a software company that develops business solutions for its clients using the latest tech. Aside from that, they also believe that having their own contribution to the industry can be best defined by offering scholarships.
Well, that’s just what they did as our friends at Indeema offers a scholarship program worth $1,000 for computer science students and to those who are studying STEM-related courses.
Indeema believes that investing in bright minds and aspiring talents, as well as sharing their resources and knowledge to the right people is one of the best things they can do for the upliftment of society.
To assist high school seniors or freshmen students in the USA, Indeema is offering the $1,000 Scholarship Program for enrolling at a university/ college for:
The company believes that it is in supporting students who are following a path towards computer and tech literacy is the future. Thus, those who are interested in enrolling in computer science, computer engineering, as well as other STEM-related programs, specifically in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, are eligible to apply for of this scholarship fund.
Indeema is driven by their passion to not only cater quality tech business solutions to their clients but also positively contribute to the overall welfare of the industry. This is why the company’s mission is driving progress with tech skills and science.
The company also lead educational courses and collaborate with research institutions in Lviv and Austria. Furthermore, Indeema also believes that it is important for them to facilitate the development of fresh minds in the IT industry so that it will progress for the betterment of everyone.
Because of this, they decided to finally grant educational scholarships to students in the US who are interested in pursuing careers in computer science and other STEM courses. This is also a strategic move for the company as it is where their main office is located.
Indeema knows that starting can be hard. That’s why they want to create a stepping stone and encourage IT enthusiasts to build their career in this innovative landscape.
Not only will this create brighter minds in the tech industry, but this will also make it easier for them to leverage on their careers, and in the process, help Indeema and the entire tech sector improve.
Any wonderful product or disruptive innovation is done by people like you or like Indeema — passionate dream chasers.
Study hard and work smart, and there will be nothing you can’t achieve!
High school graduates who graduated from a public school are eligible. However, those who have graduated from a private school are also welcome as long as the school they’ve graduated in is accredited.
Students who are going to pursue a degree and career in computer science, computer engineering, and other STEM-related courses are eligible to apply for the scholarship.
Students who are already enrolled or have been accepted for enrollment for a four-year course at any accredited college and university in the US are eligible for the scholarship.
Students who have a high SAT score are eligible. Specifically speaking, only those who have SAT scores of 1350/1600 and above. Also, those that have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 as well as a 27 or higher composite ACT score are eligible for the scholarship.
If you are deeply passionate and interested in computer science, computer engineering, and technology, then you’re a great fit for the scholarship.
If you are interested you can find out more below. You must apply for the $1,000 Scholarship Program by March 1st.
Read more from our blog.
This award is brought to you by IEFA.org and all responsibility for the program lies with the provider – in this case, Indeema. For more information see the listing on IEFA.org and contact the provider directly.
The Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program supports future generations of leaders in science, technology, engineering, and math in the United States and Israel and, over time, fosters greater collaboration between the world’s most advanced scientific research centers.
The program provides scholarships through the following initiatives:
The Zuckerman Postdoctoral Scholars Program attracts high achieving postdoctoral scholars from premier universities in the United States to do research at one of seven Israeli universities. Once they complete their research, many Zuckerman postdocs are expected to accept faculty positions at top North American universities, weaving a network of academic collaboration and goodwill that will greatly benefit US Israeli scientific cooperation.
The Zuckerman Israeli Postdoctoral Scholars Program provides additional support to Israeli researchers who have been accepted to a postdoctoral program with a stipend at an American university. Zuckerman Scholars enjoy unique programming and activities specially organized for them by the host universities, such as touring, educational experiences, and social programs.
Candidates for the Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program are assessed based on their academic and research achievements, as well as on personal merit and leadership qualities, without regard to race, religion, gender, ethnicity, or age.
Scholars are expected to return to the home campuses from which they earned their doctorates, and to visit other universities, where they will give talks and be interviewed by faculty and PhD students. They should share insights about their research and about the experience of collaborating with scientists in the United States.
The postdoctoral scholars program will enable the highest achieving postdoctoral researchers from the US to collaborate with leading scientists at Israel’s top research institutions. Leading PhD graduates from these Israeli universities will have an opportunity to accept postdoctoral positions in top US academic institutions.
Find out more and apply for the Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program on IEFA.
Find other scholarships.
Read our blog.
We work with leading providers of international student loan programs to provide students around the world with financial aid options to fund their education abroad.
Enter your information below to be shown the loan options that are available to you. Start searching today!
Find a Loan 
