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3 Steps for International Students Weighing a Study Abroad Program

By WTOP Staff

Taking a semester abroad or participating in a short study abroad program while an international student at a U.S. college or university can give you another perspective on the world and help you gain cross-cultural experience.

If you are an international student in the U.S. who is considering studying abroad, take the steps below to figure out the preparation process for this “double-abroad” journey.

[Learn why international students should consider studying abroad.]

1. Meet with the study abroad office at your college or university: During your meeting with the study abroad office staff, you can get advice on how to choose a country in which to study, learn about the foreign universities that partner with your college, find out about any available scholarships to help you cover your expenses while overseas and a lot of other important information.

Your application and paperwork process might be a little different from that of your domestic classmates. Constantly check in with the study abroad office representative to ensure that you won’t miss any steps during the process.

The study abroad office may have other resources that can help you. By keeping an eye on the study abroad office’s newsletter, one of my friends learned about a variety of study abroad programs in France and was able to choose the one that matched most closely with her major and study plan.

[Get tips on maintaining your immigration status as an international student.]

2. Plan your study abroad courses with your academic adviser: Your academic adviser can give you a good idea about the areas in your degree’s requirements where you will still need more credits.

Based on this information, you can then choose an appropriate study abroad program that fits your major or minor to help narrow down the list of program you’re interested in. Your academic adviser can also help you check whether the credits you earn in the classes you plan to take abroad will transfer to your school’s degree.

My academic adviser gave me a lot of good advice about how to stay current with my study plan while still being able to take interesting classes abroad. During the preparation process, frequently communicating with your academic adviser and study abroad office representative is a great way to choose the best and most appropriate program as well as tackle any problems that come up.

[Find out how to choose courses that enhance the international student experience.]

3. Talk to the international student services office: Remember that you are still an international student at your American school. You are applying to study abroad in another country for a possibly a short time, a semester or for a yearlong exchange program while you have international student status at your home college.

It’s important to schedule a meeting with your international student services office to inform them about your study abroad plan and learn about the paperwork and process you need to go through to avoid unpredictable situations during the application process.

Both you and your current university know that this double-abroad experience will enrich your education and self-development. I still think that the time I spent in Paris on my double-abroad experience is a treasured part of my undergraduate studies and preparing for it felt like the start of a great adventure.

More from U.S. News

6 Challenges for International Students in College

Campus Resources for International Students

3 Surprises for International Students at U.S. Universities

3 Steps for International Students Weighing a Study Abroad Program originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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