🇺🇸 Funding Your Studies in the United States
How students pay for a US degree — federal aid, loans, scholarships, campus work and what international students can actually access.
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US tuition is among the world's highest, so almost every student combines several funding sources. Here's how the money actually works.
How studies are funded
A typical funding mix is scholarships/grants + loans + family contribution + part-time work. Public universities are far cheaper for in-state residents; private universities list very high "sticker prices" but often discount heavily through aid. Always compare the net price (after aid), not the sticker price.
Federal aid & loans
US citizens and permanent residents file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to unlock:
| Source | What it is |
|---|---|
| Pell Grant | Need-based grant that doesn't have to be repaid (undergrad) |
| Federal Direct Loans | Subsidized/unsubsidized student loans at fixed rates |
| Federal Work-Study | Part-time campus jobs funded by the government |
Important: international students are NOT eligible for FAFSA / federal aid. Their route is different (see below).
Scholarships & grants
- Institutional aid — the biggest pot; merit- and need-based awards from the university itself.
- External scholarships — foundations, companies and bodies like the Fulbright Program (for international students).
- Athletic scholarships at NCAA schools for recruited athletes.
- Search engines: the university's financial-aid office first, then sites like Fastweb and Scholarships.com.
Working while you study
On an F-1 visa you may work on campus up to 20 hours/week during term, full-time in breaks, and off-campus via CPT/OPT (practical training). Graduate students often get assistantships (TA/RA) that combine a stipend with a full tuition waiver — effectively funded study.
Funding for international students
Since federal aid is off the table, international students rely on:
- University scholarships and graduate assistantships (apply early; grad funding is often the deciding factor).
- Home-country scholarships and government sponsorships.
- Private student loans designed for internationals without a US cosigner (e.g. MPOWER Financing, Prodigy Finance).
Tip: at the graduate level, target programmes that fund their students (assistantships/fellowships) — many STEM PhDs are fully funded.