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4 Types of Students Who Should Consider International Universities

By WTOP Staff

Thousands of students study abroad, but far fewer individuals consider earning their entire degree by attending college or university full time in another country. Doing so can unlock many unanticipated benefits, and it may lead you to finding your ideal school.

While leaving the U.S. to attend college is not for everyone, there are some potential advantages of an international education , particularly for these types of students.

1. A student interested in other cultures: International schools provide you with a natural opportunity to spend several years immersed in a new culture. In certain instances, such as with European colleges, students can experience many countries. The compactness of Europe allows those attending college in the United Kingdom, France, Germany or another nation to travel to neighboring countries with relative ease, especially within the European Union.

In addition, exposure to a foreign language over multiple years can permit you to graduate with knowledge of not only another culture, but another language as well.

Take a [look at the world’s top universities.]

2. A student with a clear major and academic path in mind: If you know exactly which major or specialization you would like to pursue, an international school may boast educational and research opportunities with which many American schools cannot compete.

For example, a budding Shakespeare scholar who attends a university in London can access resources like Shakespeare’s Globe. And a student studying the classics would likely enjoy being able to study the culture and society of ancient Rome in Rome itself.

3. A student who isn’t afraid to take risks: Attending college abroad presents many opportunities to enhance your resume, some of which might seem intimidating, but nevertheless are excellent initiatives for a student to take.

As society becomes increasingly globalized, gaining experience in another culture or being able to speak multiple languages fluently may be to your advantage when applying for jobs.

Understand [how to calculate the cost of an overseas degree.]

In addition to the practical benefits your experience can offer a company, the simple fact that you decided to attend college internationally demonstrates that you are not afraid to take risks, try new challenges and step out of your comfort zone.

4. A student who is comfortable with a different academic structure: Other than standard factors like location and size, potential students should make sure they are comfortable with the other elements of an international school’s setup. They should research aspects like how much transitional support exists for international students and whether the teaching style of a particular college or country matches how they would like to learn.

For instance, think about how you’d feel if most of your learning is done through independent reading. Contemplate, too, how large a cultural shift you are actually willing to make. For those students who only want a moderate change, some countries will be a better fit than others.

While attending a college internationally does offer the above benefits, it is not the answer for everyone. Anyone considering it as a serious option should know what to look for when examining schools abroad.

For the most part, many international schools tend to place more emphasis on an applicant’s grades and test scores than American colleges do, so a student with mediocre grades but an outstanding and interesting set of extracurricular experiences may have better chances of gaining acceptance into a prestigious college by staying in the U.S.

Find out [if you’re ready to earn a degree in another country.]

Students should also make sure to use the Internet to thoroughly research any international schools they are considering, since campus visits will certainly be much more difficult to organize. The websites of any of these schools should provide details about the institution’s academic environment and requirements.

Moreover, perusing the department pages, course listings and any available syllabi of the types of courses you may want to take is a good way to get an idea of the teaching style and academic expectations that different schools have for their students. If you need further help exploring these options and finding a match, consider using the College Board International website as a resource.

As long as you weigh these factors appropriately and make smart decisions, attending college internationally can be an extremely rewarding experience that offers a number of unique benefits.

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4 Types of Students Who Should Consider International Universities 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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