Study in the U.S.
The cost of study in the U.S. is something you should think about early in your college or university planning. Costs differ from one institution to another, so you should estimate your budget for each of the schools you are considering.
In assessing your ability to finance and education in the U.S., you should consider total studying and living costs over a period of several years. These costs include: tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, health care, transportation, and personal expenses. Preparing financial work sheet will help you estimate these costs. Most international students are supported by private funds or home county scholarships. Obtaining U.S. financial and scholarships aid is limited and highly competitive. Working outside the university or college is restricted by U.S. immigration regulation and should not be considered as a potential source of income.
Are scholarships available for foreign students??
Most American colleges and universities do not generally have scholarships available to foreign students. When available they are only given to students with exceptional academic records and excellent English skills. However, scholarships most often do not cover the total cost of study in the United States.
Financial aid
The following are types of financial aid that may be offered by a given college, university or agency.
- Fellowships are outright awards (scholarships) that require no service in return. Often they provide the cost of tuition and fees plus a stipend to cover living expenses. Fellowships are generally awarded selectively based on academic merit, not financial need.
- Research Assistanships usually require that you assist in the research activities of faculty member. Appointments are ordinarily made for the academic year. They are rarely offered to first year students.
- Teaching Assistanships may involve delivering lectures, correcting classwork, grading papers, counseling students, and supervising laboratory groups of undergraduate students. They usually entail about 20 hours of work each week.
- Internships/Field work usually entail paid, part-time work in the student’s field.
- Field Work - study is a need based program that provides employment opportunities usually in public and private non profit organizations. Wages vary and are related to the type of work done.
- Institutional Loans are institutionally sponsored awards that must be repaid, usually starting after the student completes his or her advanced degree. Loan programs administered by state and federal governments are not included here.
- Tuition Waivers can be partial or full waivers given to graduate students who do not receive graduate appointments.
Accreditation
ACCREDITATION is a process that determines educational quality. If an institution or program receives accreditation, that means it has met the minimum acceptable standards. Accreditation is important for several reasons:
- Credits are more easily transferred from one accredited institution to another.
- Most scholarship, fellowships, and grants are available only for study in accredited institutions.
- Degree from accredited institutions are generally recognized within the United States, as well as by governments and individual institutions in other countries.
Standardized tests
These are external examinations used as criteria to admit students for undergraduate and graduate study programs. Standardized tests are used as basic instruments for selecting students to higher education in the United States. The USIS library provides limited selection of practice materials for a variety of standardized tests like TOEFL, GRE, GMAT & LSAT.
Undergraduate study
Colleges and Universities vary considerably in their admission standards and nature. Basic admission requirements include successful completion of the Ethiopian School Leaving Certificate Examination (ESLCE) point average 3.00 or above. Scholarships to foreign students are awarded on the basis of excellent academic achievement and test results in the TOEFL. Almost all scholarships pay only a portion of the total expenses for studying and living. Therefore qualified students should plan and prepare the necessary financial resources for study in the United States.
Graduate study
The applicant must be in possession of a degree in good standing from a recognized university. 1st class or upper 2nd class degree (usually a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above) are preferred but institutions will consider a graduate who has obtained a lower 2nd class degree. In the latter’s case, other relevant factors like experience, suitability, appropriateness, project proposal (thesis), etc in one’s field of study and test results in the TOEFL, GMAT, and/or GRE are taken into consideration.
Admission procedures
It is suggested that you seek advice from the educational adviser in compiling a list of colleges and universities which offer a degree program in your field of study. You may complete a request form for application materials from U.S. colleges and universities for each institution. Upon receiving this form, the institution is better equipped to asses your qualifications and admissibility to their particular institution. They will then send you a complete application packet along with their application requirements. Admission test requirements will include: TOEFL, SAT, GMAT, & GRE.
The academic year commences in August/September and the ideal time to write to a United States college or university for application forms and other information is in July or August preceding the August/September you intend to enroll. All applicants must follow the designated deadlines for each college or university to which you are applying. Decisions on admission are normally made in April or early May.