American
schools provided aid to almost half of foreign graduate students during the
last academic year, but only ten percent of undergraduates.
In all, more than sixty percent of international students paid for their
education mainly with personal or family money. Twenty-six percent were
supported by their American college or university.
Foreign students represent a valuable resource, especially when public colleges
and universities face budget cuts by states. Foreign students pay the higher
prices charged for students from out of state. Not only that, they can help
schools increase their ethnic diversity.
Some students are supported by their home university or government. A small
number receive support from the United States government. Employers, private
sponsors and international organizations also help some students pay for
school.
A list of American colleges and universities that offer financial aid to
foreign students can be found at edupass.org -- e-d-u-p-a-s-s dot o-r-g. The
Web site also provides information and advice on scholarship programs. Never
trust a program that charges for application forms.
Another helpful site about American higher education and financial aid is
educationusa.state.gov.
About half of international students are in graduate school. The Institute of
International Education in New York says thirty-one percent during the last
academic year were undergraduates. The others were studying English or in
training program.
In all, the United States has around eighteen million students in higher
education. Last year, more than six hundred twenty thousand, or three and a
half percent, were international students.
The United States, though, has the largest "market share," about
twenty percent of all the international students in the world. But even as more
and more students come to the United States, more and more are also going to
other countries. So experts say the American share is likely to go down in the
future. The nearest competitor is Britain, with thirteen percent at last
report. Other top countries for international students include France, Germany,
Australia, China, Canada and Japan.
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