Finances
More difficult than gaining admission, is finding the funds required to pay for tuition and living costs. Higher education in the United States is very expensive. Careful financial planning is essential. Universities and colleges will not accept foreign students without evidence of guaranteed means of support, and visas cannot be obtained without that evidence. The national average tuition fee at four-year U.S. colleges and universities in 2003-04, is US$13,976 at public institutions, and US$21,455 at private ones. The 2003-04 national average tuition fee at two year US colleges, is US$5,028 for public institutions, and US$12,510 for private ones. The average cost of on-campus room and board at any type of institution is US$8,501 per academic year. Tuition costs increase around 5% per year.
There is very little financial assistance for international students, from either Australian or American sources, for undergraduate or first degree study in the USA. For links that may provide assistance in the search for financial assistance, please refer to the list of useful Internet sites.
If you don't have funds to pay for your own education, you should narrow your search to those colleges which make financial aid available to international students. Most International Students studying in the States for bachelor's degrees, support themselves by way of personal or family funds. Statistics indicate that at the undergraduate level, about 78.4% of international students finance their own education. The International Student Handbook of U.S. Colleges, published annually by The College Board, lists those colleges which offer financial assistance to international undergraduates.
If you are applying for need-based financial assistance for international students, you will be asked to complete a detailed financial aid application which will require you to list your own and your parents' income and assets. All these questions should be answered honestly.