committed all their scholarship and
loan funds long before the academic
year begins. Also, as part of the application for a student
visa, you must be able to show proof to both the graduate
school admissions office and to your local U.S. embassy
that you have sufficient funds to meet the total annual
expenses. If you plan to bring a spouse and/or children
with you to the United States, you will also need to prove
in advance that you have funds to support your family.
The best time to arrange U.S.-based financial assistance
is before you leave home. Deadlines for scholarship and
grant programs can be as early as one-and-a-half years
before departure. Universities often require students
to complete a financial statement, specifying how they
intend to cover their expenses, as part of the application
process. Planning ahead will give you time to research
independent scholarships and to identify university programs
that have funding available. If possible, also try to
make personal contact with professors in your department
of interest at U.S. universities, since professors play
an important role in identifying grant and funding recipients
in their departments.
Calculating Your Expenses
The main types of costs involved in study in the United
States are tuition and fees, plus living costs. These
vary widely, which gives you some control over the costs
involved in your education. All U.S. universities publish
information on the costs for their institution and area.
Consider the points outlined below in calculating your
costs.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition is the cost of instruction,
while fees are charged for services such as the library,
student activities, or the health center.
International graduate students are required to pay both
tuition and fees, unless covered by financial assistance.
Some universities also charge international students mandatory
health insurance fees. Although
the range of tuition and fees may vary greatly from
school to school, there is no correlation between the
level of tuition and fees and the quality of an institution.
The amount charged by a particular
university depends on many factors, the most significant
of which is what type of school it is. Tuition and fees
are generally higher for private universities than for
state schools.
State universities charge out-of-state
residents higher tuition than state residents. In almost
all instances, international students studying at state
schools will have to pay this higher rate throughout
their study program since they do not qualify for residents'
rates.
It should be remembered, too, that not
all universities charging the lowest tuition and fees
have the lowest living costs; you should examine both
factors to get a more accurate estimate of your annual
expenses.
Since tuition and fees vary between institutions
and rise an average of 5 percent each year, it is best
to consult current university catalogs, web sites, or
reference material available at your U.S. educational
information or advising center for the latest figures.
Be sure to confirm current costs with the institution
at the time you apply.
Living Costs
Living costs vary widely and depend on individual lifestyles.
If you are bringing family members with you to the United
States, this will, of course, increase your monthly
expenses.
Living expenses are highest in the large
cities, in California, and in the Northeast. Costs can
be much lower in the South, the Midwest, and other areas.
University catalogs and web sites are good sources of
information on current living costs. Within the total
living costs they quote, you will usually find an approximate
breakdown of costs for items such as room, board, books,
medical insurance, and personal expenses.
Your basic living expenses will include
food and housing, of course, but don't forget to allow
for the following:
Books and
Supplies:
Universities estimate the cost for books and supplies
for the academic year. Students studying in the
United States must buy their textbooks, and book
costs can be quite expensive. Most institutions
have on-campus bookstores. Many of these stores
allow you to purchase used books at a lesser cost,
or sell back your books at the end of a semester
at partial value. If you are planning to study in
a field that requires special supplies, such as
engineering, art, or architecture, your expenses
are likely to be greater than the average.
Transportation:
The living costs quoted by most universities do
not cover trips between the United States and your
home country. Be sure that your annual budget includes
expenses for return travel between your home country
and your school. If you plan to live off-campus
and commute to the university, you should add in
your commuting expenses.
Other
Personal Expenses:
Personal expenses include items such as the cost
of basic goods, clothing, and services. Health insurance
is required. If you have dependents - a spouse and/or
children - or if you have special medical needs,
substantial additional funds will be needed to meet
your living expenses.
Financing Your Education:
It is important to start your financial planning
at least 12 months before you intend to study in
the United States. Financing your college education
consists of:
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assessing personal funds. |
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identifying financial assistance
for which you are eligible. |
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compiling effective applications. |
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reducing educational costs. |
Assessing Personal Funds:
Consider all the funds you have available and how
much you can draw from each source. For example:
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annual family income: the
earnings per year of each member of the immediate
family who will provide money toward your
education |
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family assets: current holdings
in bank accounts, investments in stocks and
bonds, business enterprises,debts owed to
the family, and any other assets from which
money could be obtained through sales or loans
in an emergency; |
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your own earnings until departure:
savings from earnings, gifts, investments,
or property; |
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other sources: relatives in
the United States or a sponsor (individual,
government agency, or private organization)
in your country who has agreed to pay all
or part of your educational expenses. |
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If you cannot pay the costs of your study
through the personal funds you have available, you will
need to apply for financial assistance.
Identifying Sources of Financial
Assistance:
You can apply for financial assistance
from a variety of sources; however, it is important
to apply only for those funds for which you are eligible.
Competition for grants is keen; an incomplete,
tardy, poorly written, or messy application could make
the difference between you and another applicant. So
plan ahead, plan well, prepare carefully, and follow
instructions.
Give yourself plenty of time to put together
a quality request for financial assistance and submit
it well ahead of all deadlines.
Home-Country Sources:
Ask about funding from the Pakistan government scholarship
programs, regional assistance programs, local or third-country
organizations or businesses, banks, or religious institutions
that may offer aid to graduate students from your country.
U.S. Government
Assistance:
The Fulbright Program, founded to encourage mutual understanding
between the people of the United States and other countries,
offers awards for graduate study. There are many different
types of awards, from travel grants to grants that pay
maintenance and study costs; their availability varies
from country to country. Applicants must apply to and
be approved by appropriate agencies in the home country.
If there is a Fulbright Commission in
your country, inquire about the types of grants available;
if not, any U.S. educational information or advising
center can help you get further information, or you
can inquire at the public affairs section of the U.S.
embassy or consulate.
In some developing countries, support
for short-term graduate study or master's level degree
study may be available through programs sponsored by
the U.S. Department of State. Eligibility for these
programs varies, but in general, local institutions
nominate employees for training or education that promotes
a specified development goal. Note that U.S. Department
of Education and state-based financial aid are available
only to U.S. citizens.
Private U.S. Sources
and International Organizations:
Private U.S. agencies, foundations, business corporations,
and professional associations often award financial
aid in the interest of furthering international exchange.
International organizations such as the United Nations
and the Organization of American States (OAS) are other
possible sources of financial aid. Since these institutions
are large and complex, writing to them directly with
general requests for financial aid will have little
effect. Use references available at information and
advising centers to find specific awards or grants for
which you are eligible, and address the office indicated.
Many awards and grants are directed toward
particular groups such as women, engineers, or journalists;
read carefully to see whether you fit into any of the
categories.
Greater foundation support usually is
available for students in the social and natural sciences
and in the humanities. Apply only for awards for which
you match the criteria.
If an application requires that you write
a research or project proposal, pay particular attention
to this step. If possible, have the proposal checked
by a professional in your field who has worked in the
United States.
U.S. Universities:
About one-third of international graduate students finance
their studies through financial aid from U.S. universities.
However, availability of financial assistance varies
by field of study, level of study, and type of institution
(research universities are likely to have the most funds
available). Also, some universities will give aid to
students only after they have successfully completed
their first semester or first year of study.
To identify universities that offer financial
assistance, consult university reference books or computer
search software at information and advising centers.
You can also find information on financial assistance
directly from university catalogs and web sites. Some
university reference books provide information on financial
aid awarded to first-year graduate students, but these
statistics include U.S. students as well as international
students.
Also, all students, including international
students, are required to pay U.S. income tax on certain
forms of graduate financial assistance. If you are awarded
a grant by a university, be sure to check with the institution
to see if you are subject to any type of taxation.
The main types of financial aid available
from universities are:
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Fellowships: Departments
and institutions award fellowships on the basis
of academic merit, normally after the first year
of study. Graduate fellowships may be modest, covering
only tuition and fees, or full grants, providing
the cost of tuition, fees, and monthly stipends
for maintenance. Fellowships rarely cover the total
cost of living and studying. |
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Assistantships: Assistantships
are the most common form of financial aid at the
graduate level. Assistantships are cash awards that
require the performance of services related to the
field of study, usually about 20 hours per week.
Sometimes an assistantship carries with it a waiver
(a remission or reduction) of tuition and fees.
Awards may range from as little as $500 to as much
as $30,000 (or higher, if high tuition costs are
waived) for an academic year, so it is important
to check what proportion of your costs the assistantship
will cover. There are several types of assistantships:
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Teaching
assistantships:
May be available for the first year of graduate
study in university departments with large
numbers of undergraduates in introductory
courses. Teaching assistants (TAs) supervise
undergraduate laboratory classes, lead discussion
groups, or teach small classes. Increasingly,
universities require that applicants achieve
a high score on the Test of Spoken English
(TSE) before receiving a teaching assistantship.
Often universities require teaching assistants
to complete training programs that prepare
them to teach in the U.S. educational milieu.
If you are interested in applying for a teaching
assistantship, be sure to mention in your
application any previous teaching experience
that you have had. |
|
Research
assistantships:
Involve performance of research services related
to the field of study. The advantage of a
research assistantship is that it can be related
to your thesis or long-term academic interests.
Research assistants (RAs) are chosen for their
demonstrated research and interpersonal skills.
Computer ability, writing skills, and experience
working as part of a team are three essential
qualifications. Find institutions that have
grants in your field, and apply to these universities
for research assistantships. If you apply
to institutions whose research funding matches
your interests, professors who are the principal
researchers for grants in your area will often
single out your application for funding, especially
if you have proven research experience. |
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Administrative
assistantships:
Usually require 10 to 20 hours per week working
in administrative offices of the university,
such as the International Student Office.
You will need to contact each office individually
at most institutions, although a few may have
a central location for application. |
Read the material from each institution to learn
where to send applications. Competition for all
types of assistantships is intense, since only limited
numbers are available at any one institution. International
applicants must compete with U.S. students. In general,
doctoral students are more likely to receive support
than master's candidates. |
Although financial need is taken into
consideration, the most important factor in selection
is academic achievement and promise in the field of
study.
Practically all awards for graduate study
are made one year at a time. Renewal is not automatic
and depends on your performance and the availability
of funds; however, in general, departments will do all
they can to ensure you receive continued financial support.
Once enrolled at an institution,
you should begin seeking funding for the next academic
year.
To apply for university funding,
find out which offices are responsible for the various
programs and request application materials. The graduate
school may control the funds, or the department or program
may administer them, or a combination of both. Read
carefully all the information pertaining to funding,
since the application process can be complex and time-consuming.
When an offer is made, compare the total award package,
including tuition and fees, amount of stipend, length
of award, and work responsibilities. If you receive
more than one offer, you will have to weigh the benefits
of each award from each institution and make the best
decision.
The decision of which institution to attend
should never be based on the amount of an award alone,
since financial assistance has nothing to do with the
quality of the program. Selecting an institution is
a complex and important decision; be sure to take all
factors into consideration to make the choices that
are best for you.
Employment:
Other types of aid for full-time students include part-time
employment on campus of up to 20 hours per week. Present
U.S. immigration regulations restrict employment outside
the university
for both international graduate students and their spouses;
in many instances, spouses cannot engage in any kind
of employment, on or off campus, throughout the entire
period of study. On-campus employment is limited and
competitive, and the relatively low salaries do not
cover the cost of tuition and living expenses. In addition,
graduate students are often so involved with their academic
work that they do not have the time required for a part-time
job.
Lastly, employment in the United States
cannot be used to demonstrate how you will pay the costs
of study when applying for a student visa.
Loans:
A few reputable agencies make loans available to international
students. Consult your information or advising center
for information on loans for students from Pakistan.
Before taking a loan, make certain you know how you
are going to repay it and how a loan will affect your
plans for later study and for returning home.
Writing a Research
Proposal
To receive funds for research or study in the United
States, some organizations require that you submit a
carefully designed plan for your proposed research.
As a rule, your proposal will be competing with those
of other excellent scholars. It is not enough to state
your qualifications by simply citing your diploma, your
position, or your experience.
When a department committee or review
board looks at research proposals, they compare competing
proposals with respect to several criteria:
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Is the proposed institution appropriate?
Does the institution have researchers who will be
interested in the project and able to supervise
the work? If equipment is necessary, is the right
equipment available, or are funds available for
buying it? Are library or research collection facilities
adequate? Does the applicant clearly show the necessary
background in education and experience to be able
to do the research successfully? Has he or she demonstrated
research aptitude? Supporting documents or past
papers are helpful. Is the proposal carefully written
and neatly presented? The proposal should begin
with a clear statement of goals of the intended
research project. It should include a summary of
background information regarding the need for the
research, highlights of related research (with a
bibliography), a step-by-step description of the
research plan with expected results or major theses,
and a conclusion. The proposal should be typed.
Is the proposed research significant, timely, and
original? Although creativity, originality, and
substance are usually the most important criteria
in choosing among proposals, disciplines differ.
In some fields, such as medicine, proposals that
have great promise of practical application may
have an advantage. |
If you are applying
for a grant or program that supports development in
your country, it may be helpful if the research you
propose can be applied to your work after you return
to your home country.
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