Approximately 30% of all international students choose to study in the USA. A combination of world-class institutions, state-of-the-art facilities, an excellent academic reputation and a diverse mix of cultures from all over the world makes it the number one destination for international students. Plus, due to its size, there's plenty of choice.
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For most international students studying in any country, tuition fees will be the main expense. The majority of overseas students studying in the USA will have to pay international fees.
Tuition fees
Tuition and fees can vary greatly from one university to another as there is no standard fee set by the government. Each institution will state its own tuition fees. You will be able to find all of this information on the institution's admissions page on their website or by contacting their international office.
The average costs of study in 2011 per year, as reported by The College Board, are as follows (all figures in US$):
These are just average figures to give an idea of what your tuition fees might be - you should contact your chosen institution for details about their tuition fees.
Application expenses
You will also need to take in to account the costs of applying to US institutions; the average cost is between $35 and $75 per application.
Financial help and scholarships
It is important that you start your financial planning at least one year before you plan to make the move over to the USA to study. There are a number of different types of financial aid and grants available to you, including:
Always conduct careful and thorough research into the institution you are interested in. Be sure to tell the admissions office your country of citizenship and request to receive information on what financial aid is available to students who are not of US-citizenship.
Some universities and colleges in the US offer opportunities to students who have demonstrated gifted athletic achievements by inviting them to represent the college in their desired sport as a means of paying for their education. Here is a list of useful websites that contain information on sport scholarships:
National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics
www.nacda.com
National Collegiate Athletic Association
www.ncaa.org
National Scouting Report
www.nsr-inc.com
In some limited circumstances, you may be able able to get a loan to fund your tuition and fees. You will usually be required to have a US citizen co-sign the agreement and act as a guarantor. You will also, in the majority of cases, need to be enrolled in a US institution prior to applying for a loan.
If you hold a US passport you may be eligible to receive federal funding for your education. Please visit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website for more information on financial support.
For information on employment and working in the USA please visit our Working page.
You can see a list of links to find out more about the financial aid opportunities for international students here.
Living costs
You will also need to take into account the costs of living and any extra expenses you may come across whilst studying. Living costs will vary depending on where you are studying, your lifestyle and your course. Ensure that you budget for accommodation as well as food, utility bills, travel, medical costs or insurance, plus money for social activities or hobbies. You may also need to pay for books and course materials.
Please see below for the average costs of everyday living expenses in the USA (in US$):
Average costs of everyday items:
Student banking
When you arrive in the USA you may want to open a bank account, which is relatively easy. The American currency is the US dollar ($), which is divided into 100 cents (c). It is advisable to bring money in the form of traveller’s cheques, or arrange a bank transfer once you have set up your American account, as carrying large amounts of cash can be unsafe.
If you are planning to use your current bank account in the USA, it is important that you inform your bank that you are going to be living abroad as, in some cases, banks will freeze accounts if they notice unusual activity, as a precautionary security measure to prevent fraud.
There are two options available to you when opening a bank account in the USA; you can either open an account online prior to your arrival in the country or you can visit a branch on arrival and set one up then. With either option it is very important that you speak to the bank's international office directly, either by phone or email, regarding banking in the USA as it may differ from what you are used to. Your institution may already have an arrangement with a bank that offers accounts to international students, so it would be worth checking this prior to setting up your account. To open a bank account, the following items are required:
Most reputable banks do not require a minimum balance and do not charge for basic services such as telephone banking and the use of other banks' ATMs. Banks that do should be avoided. Key services to look out for include telephone and internet banking, as well as overdraft protection.
Last updated: 15 December 2011
