US scholarships for international students

US News

The idea of the "American Dream" means many things to many people, but one of its most common—and important—elements is the ability to further one's self by getting a college education. And for students born outside the United States, scholarships can be an invaluable help toward achieving that dream. Whether you're a new immigrant, a student going on to graduate school, or a learner returning to college, there's international scholarship assistance out there for your studies in the United States.

Before you do any scholarship searching, it's important to know that you should never have to pay to find or apply for scholarships. If a scholarship search engine or application asks you for a credit card or other financial information before you can use it, stay away. Reputable scholarships never charge to apply, and there are plenty of excellent free search engines. (Scholarship Experts, in particular, features a search specific to international students.)

One of your best sources of financial aid will be the college you attend. If you were born outside the United States but are now a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, start by looking at colleges within the state where you live. Generally speaking, state residents pay a much lower tuition rate than out-of-state residents.

For example, a year of tuition and fees at the University of Virginia costs around $12,000 for students who live in Virginia, and around $36,000 for those who don't. Establishing residency in a state can instantly cut a great deal off of your ultimate college price tag.