How to Study Abroad in the United States

How to STUDY ABROAD in the

United States

Are you hoping to

study abroad in the US?

Here’s 4 things you’ll

need to prepare for your

adventure!

1. A place!

To start your application to study in

the US, you will need to apply directly

to each of your chosen universities.

If you are accepted you’ll be entered

into an international student database

called the Student Exchange Visitor

Information System (SEVIS).

The application costs US$200, though

a few universities allow students to

apply online for free.

The university will then provide you with a

Form I-20 to present to the US Embassy

when you attend your visa interview.

2. The language

For both undergraduate and postgraduate

studies you will need to provide proof of your

English language proficiency, if English is

not your first language.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language

(TOEFL) is the most common test considered by

universities, while the International English

Language Testing System (IELTS) is also

commonly accepted.

It’s always wise to check which tests are

accepted by your chosen universities

before signing up and taking the exams.

3. A visa

To study in the US, internationals will

need to obtain an F-2 non-

immigrant visa.

You can only do this when you have

secured a place at an SEVP-approved

university, and you’ll need to provide

proof of sufficient funds.

In most cases, you’ll be asked to

attend an interview at your local US

embassy, bringing your application

and supporting documents and a

solid financial plan.

4. Funding

US tuition fees are not cheap. HSBC

estimates that the yearly cost of

university in the US is $24,914.

This varies greatly from one institution to

the next, but all US universities are legally

required to include a fees and financial

aid calculator on their website.

Living costs are generally lower in

the US than in Australia, Canada,

Singapore, the UK or France.

HSBC gives an annual average

estimate of $11,651.

Suburban and rural area of the south

and Midwest are generally the

cheapest places to live, with big cities

costing considerably more.

Many who study in the US receive

financial aid. At Harvard for example,

70% of students receive help with

their fees. At MIT the figure is even

higher, at 86%.

As US government aid schemes and

loans are often off-limits to

internationals, financial aid and

scholarships offered by your chosen

school and/or external organizations

Are your best bet.

Find out more

about studying in

the US with our

free guide!

Click here to

find out more!