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How to Begin a U.S. College Search as an International Student

By U.S. News & World Report

Chinese national Kexin Zhen says she first learned about U.S. liberal arts colleges during a meeting with her high school counselor.

From then on, Zhen focused her college search on this type of school, which offers a more general education for undergraduates in the humanities, sciences and social sciences, as opposed to having a professional or technical emphasis.

“I didn’t really know my major and my career direction, so I preferred to go to a liberal arts college,” she says.

Now she’s a rising junior at Wheaton College, a liberal arts school in Massachusetts.

[Explore the 10 National Liberal Arts Colleges with the most international students.]

Narrowing the scope of a college search is important because in 2015-2016, there were more than 4,500 colleges and universities in the U.S., according to the National Center for Education Statistics. That’s a lot of schools to choose from.

Here are some steps prospective international students can take to begin an effective U.S. college search from anywhere in the world.

1. Learn about the U.S. higher education system in general: This will give students a sense of the variety of U.S. school options, from community colleges to liberal arts institutions to large research universities, says John Wood, senior associate vice provost for international education at University at Buffalo–SUNY.

The U.S. has “an institution for everyone or every interest, and really, every ability level as well,” Wood says. “That’s one of the reasons the U.S. is so attractive, because there is something for everyone.”

Students can ask high school counselors for information about the types of study opportunities in the U.S., like Zhen did. There are also helpful online resources, such as the College Board website, experts say.

2. Connect with people who can help: In addition to counselors, there are other people who can offer information and support to international students as they research U.S. colleges.

For example, EducationUSA advisers are available in more than 170 countries. EducationUSA is a network of advising centers supported by the U.S. Department of State that offer free assistance to international students interested in studying in the U.S.

Students can visit the centers in person, or they can connect with advisers via phone, email or Skype, says Umair Khan, country coordinator for EducationUSA Pakistan.

Current international students are another good resource. Prospective students who don’t have friends or family on a U.S. campus can reach out to a college’s admissions office and ask to be connected with an international student there, says Khan.

Prospective students can also attend an education fair to meet with representatives from U.S. colleges and universities. These events, also known as college fairs, offer a way to learn more about U.S. higher education in general, as well as get an introduction to some specific schools.

[Discover 30 questions to ask U.S. college representatives at an education fair.]

“I think it’s a very good place to build a foundation of understanding for how the higher education system works in the United States,” says Joshua Stevens, director of admissions at Earlham College in Indiana.

3. Determine what you’re looking for in a school: There are many factors prospective international students can consider when searching for a school in the U.S., such as their budget and intended major.

Admissions experts say one commonly overlooked but important factor is a school’s location.

“That’s a big one,” says Stevens, “because the United States is such a massive country.”

Clara Colas, a rising junior at Wheaton who hails from Paris, says she limited her U.S. school search to areas on the East Coast where she has family. “I didn’t want to be completely alone,” she says.

Experts say students will also want to consider whether they want to study in a big city versus a smaller town as well as what type of climate most suits them.

4. Research specific schools: Khan says when Pakistani students meet with an EducationUSA adviser for the first time, they are often encouraged to research colleges and universities and create a spreadsheet of 20 to 25 they like. Students gather information about the schools’ location, cost, financial aid availability, standardized test score requirements and the academic programs that interest them, Khan says.

Many websites offer information about U.S. colleges and universities, including rankings websites and college search engines.

[Learn how to use the Best Colleges rankings wisely.]

After completing their research, Khan says the students in Pakistan work with an EducationUSA adviser or their counselor to narrow down the list to the five to 10 schools they’ll apply to based on the criteria the students believe are most important.

“I always tell the students, ‘You’ve got to ask the question to yourself: What kind of school fits for you?'” Khan says.

Searching for a college? Get our complete rankings of Best Colleges.

More from U.S. News

4 Things International Students Should Look for in a U.S. College

Use 5 Statistics to Find a U.S. College That Fits Your Needs

Student Tips: Earning an Undergraduate Degree Abroad

How to Begin a U.S. College Search 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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