Another thing that I’ve noticed - a lot of the universities tend to have a lot of entry requirements (more than one essay, more than one recommendation letter, all the high school transcripts instead of just the diploma). So far, the easiest checklist I saw is the one from the Miami University (they still ask for all the academics records, but at least they don’t have the essay and they ask for just one recommendation letter).
Are there universities with similar (or more easy) requirements? (Like UK universities requirements)
If you will be a freshman applicant, why did you wait so long to apply to college?
If you have excellent grades and excellent ACT/SAT scores, there are a very small number of places that guarantee admission and significant merit-based aid. Check the places on this list to find out if their scholarships are available for international students. http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/
I’ll be a freshman applicant and I’ll definitely need some money, though not a 100% coverage. I had health problems and that’s why I couldn’t attend college. I’m both mature (well, right now I’m 23, but I will not start until I’ll be 25/26) and international (I’m from Europe)…difficult mix, I know.
(This is my previous post: Another thing that I’ve noticed - a lot of the universities tend to have a lot of entry requirements (more than one essay, more than one recommendation letter, all the high school transcripts instead of just the diploma). So far, the easiest checklist I saw is the one from the Miami University (they still ask for all the academics records, but at least they don’t have the essay and they ask for just one recommendation letter).
Are there universities with similar (or more easy) requirements? (Like UK universities requirements))
Some universities do not offer financial aid to international students.
Each school’s Common Data Set, section H, will indicate if this is the case.
The University of Florida’s CDS, for example, indicates that it does not offer financial aid to international students.
^However, the University of Florida may have agreements with specific countries (FSU, USF, and Miami Dade have agreements with 7 specific countries, for instance) and does offer merit aid. It’s very important to read everything but it’s extremely confusing for internationals. I guess ability to navigate contradictory information from an American website is a sort of litmus test for internationals…
If you haven’t already read through the information at https://educationusa.state.gov/ you should do so. Then contact the counselors at the advising center closest to where you live https://educationusa.state.gov/find-advising-center They will be able to help you find out which colleges/universities here have admitted students with high school records like yours in recent years, and whether or not those students received any financial aid.
I do not know of any college or university here that will not require your full academic record. That is standard for institutions in the US. However there are many places that don’t require essays or letters of recommendation.
How much can you pay? You may be able to find some lower-cost places where you wouldn’t need aid.
@happymomof1 Thank you for the links! I found counselors in my country that I didn’t know about. About the cost…in the US, can you pay in rates over the course of the years? Or do you have to pay everything almost immediately?
@tk21769 Thanks for the tip! I didn’t know about the Common Data Set.
@MYOS1634 It’s a little difficult sometimes, mostly because there are so many universities and colleges…
“In the US, can you pay in rates over the course of the years? Or do you have to pay everything almost immediately?”
– You pay the school immediately. If you don’t have the money, you get a loan and pay that off over many years. However, to get a loan, you will need a qualified co-signer.
Normally it is expected that students’ tuition, fees, and other bills (such as housing and a meal plan) are paid to the college/university before the semester begins. Sometimes it is possible to set up an installment plan, and pay part of the year’s cost each month. You would need to investigate that with each place separately. Some that have installment plans might not offer them to international students.
In order to get a student visa, you will need to be able to demonstrate that you can pay the full cost of attendance for your first year of studies.
Installments are the ideal. It came to my attention that perhaps I’ll be able to study with a permanent resident card and I know it will help the situation. For now, Common Data Set are helping!
I you would be a legal permanent resident (green card status), many things would change. You would have access to federally determined financial aid (you would be able to file the FAFSA), you would be able to establish residency in any state you chose (most public colleges/universities will require 12 months living in that state before enrolling for classes, but some require less time), and of course you could get a job wherever you felt like, and work up to full-time hours if need be.
Definitely! I’m currently looking also at the Harvard Extension School…It looks quite good for non-traditional students and not just because it’s Harvard.
^no. Internationals don’t get financial aid as transfers. their best (often only) hope of getting into a university with sufficient aid is to apply as freshmen.
60% of what, though?
Let’s say you attend a community college in California. To attend a CSU afterwards, you’ll need about 35K and to attend a UC, you’ll need about 60K. If you attend community college in Florida, you’ll pay about 35K too, even for the flagship, if you attend one of the direct pathway community colleges; 60% of 60K and 60% of 35K is a very different amount.
It can be a good pathway if you’re admitted to a special program or honors that guarantees priority registration, so that you can .take all the necessary classes “on time” and without delays.