Many other schools don't offer any need-based aid, but do offer merit scholarships. At Syracuse University, for instance, international students are eligible for scholarships based on academic credentials that are worth $6,000 to $12,000 a year. And most schools that award athletic scholarships make them available to students from around the world.
International students are not eligible for federal work-study jobs and, because of visa restrictions, they are usually not permitted to work off campus. But some schools do offer on-campus jobs. However, international students may not work more than 20 hours a week.
To take out a loan from a college or private lender, an international student normally must have a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. One loan program that caters to international students is Citibank's CitiAssist Global Loan, with a $10,000-per-year maximum for undergraduates.
Veterans
Active-duty soldiers and veterans qualify for special tuition assistance. An armed forces recruiter can provide the details, but here are the basics:
Tuition assistance
Active-duty soldiers and some members of the Reserves can take college courses and work toward an undergraduate or graduate degree during their off-duty time. The military will pay tuition and fees up to $3,000 or $4,500, depending on the branch of service. (Under a program called "Tuition Top-Up," soldiers may also be able to tap into future GI Bill benefits to pay for more expensive coursework.) Soldiers can also qualify for a free laptop computer and Internet connection to allow them to participate in distance-learning programs.
Montgomery GI Bill
To participate in the GI Bill program, you contribute $100 a month to an educational fund for a year while on active duty. After three years of service, the Veteran's Administration adds $34,848 and pays the soldier up to $1,004 a month from that fund, for 36 months, toward educational expenses. Members of the Reserves and National Guard can earn up to $22,000 in GI Bill funds and activated Reservists can earn up to $28,900. For more information, visit the GI Bill website at www.gibill.va.gov.
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