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Dos, Don’ts of Applying for Scholarships as an International Student

By U.S. News & World Report

It’s no secret that getting a college education in the U.S. is expensive, especially for international students. Applicants from other countries who are attending school in the U.S. don’t have the opportunity to claim residency in a state to receive a lower tuition rate at a public institution, like many American college students do.

The in-state rate can make a huge difference in tuition costs. For example, at the University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign, for example, Illinois residents pay about $15,600 in tuition and fees while out-of-state students pay nearly $31,000.

International students are also sometimes excluded from scholarships, since these awards frequently require applicants to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. It can take some digging, but there are a handful of scholarships that international applicants may be qualified to win.

[Read an international student’s guide to U.S. scholarships.]

However, if you’re planning on studying in the U.S. as a foreign student, you need to be aware of a few factors as you apply for financial awards. Here’s a list of dos and dont’s to review as you search for scholarships as an international applicant.

Do: Use all the resources available to you. Finding scholarships on your own can be a challenge, but the school you plan on attending may be able to provide you with lists of scholarships that international students can win.

Your home country may also offer resources and scholarships for citizens who plan on earning a degree overseas. And don’t forget about scholarship search sites like Cappex.com and InternationalStudent.com that can help you find awards no matter what country you’re from.

Do: Read all the requirements and qualifications listed for the scholarship. Make sure you don’t need to be an American citizen or permanent resident and that the scholarship is open to all students studying in the U.S.

You may need to provide test scores or essays. Some scholarships also require additional submissions like videos or letters of recommendation. Once you’re sure you’re eligible for the award, create a checklist and gather the items you’ll need to submit an application.

[Learn three ways international students can boost scholarship chances.]

Do: Ask a native English speaker to read your essay. This is especially the case if an essay is required and English isn’t your first language. This person will be able to point out any errors or make suggestions for improvement.

If you don’t have a friend, teacher, tutor or parent who speaks English well, ask around and see if anyone you know is acquainted with someone who has strong English proficiency. The essay is often a key component of the scholarship application, so yours needs to stand out and be well – written to earn you a scholarship.

Don’t: Ask someone to write your essay for you. Don’t pay someone to write it on your behalf, either, even if you’re not confident in your English language skills. Not only is it unethical, but you could be automatically disqualified if anyone learns that you didn’t write the essay. If you win the award and someone discovers you didn’t complete the work yourself, the scholarship could be revoked.

[Discover the 10 universities that attract the most international students.]

Don’t: Wait until the last minute to get started. It takes time to gather everything you need for the application , ask for letters of recommendation and make sure your essay has been proofread. Start working on your application well in advance to make sure you’re able to submit it before the deadline.

Don’t stop applying for scholarships. Just because you’ve won one or two doesn’t mean you should put the brakes on your scholarship search. Continue seeking out awards for international students to get the most money possible for your college education.

No scholarship search is easy, and it can be particularly tricky for international students. But with a little luck and a lot of hard work, you may be able to earn some scholarships that help pay for your college education in the U.S.

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Dos, Don’ts of Applying for Scholarships as an International Student 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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