USA – Franklin Education Consultancy

United States of America

The United States is the world’s leading study destination for international students, renowned for its top-ranked universities and appealing job opportunities. U.S. universities rank among the best globally for their research, education, and diversity, making them a prime choice.

Why the US?

The U.S. higher education system provides an unparalleled variety of institutions, degree options and fields of study. With over 4,000 institutions across the country, it offers the largest selection in the world for students seeking diverse educational opportunities.

The US is a melting pot of many cultures from around the world, making its universities hubs of social diversity. U.S. universities are also renowned for their extensive range of clubs and organisations, spanning academic societies, volunteer groups, and countless other options to suit diverse interests. Additionally, sports are a significant aspect of campus life, with universities offering numerous opportunities for intramural and intercollegiate competitions.

The Types of Institutions and Average Tuition Fees

Universities: Universities are post-secondary education institutions that typically offer four-year programs and two year programs. There are two types of universities:

Public Universities: Public universities are state-funded and are often cheaper than other types of institutions. It also tends to be more flexible for part-time students. The average cost for 2024-2025 was $24,513. Note that some states are more expensive than others, for example, the average cost in Vermont is $41,900 while in Florida it is $8,700.
Private universities: Private universities are not state-funded and rely primarily on donations, endowments and tuition fees. They also tend to be more expensive than public universities. The average private college tuition for 2024-2025 was $43,505. However, they offer various scholarships which lessen the burden.

Ivy League: The Ivy League is a group of 8 prestigious private universities and colleges renowned both nationally and internationally. The group has become synonymous with academic excellence, exceptional research opportunities, and a highly selective admissions process.
Colleges: Colleges are known for offering Masters Courses, but there are also a few which offer Bachelors courses, which are akin to universities. There are 3 different types of colleges:

Liberal Arts Colleges: Liberal Arts colleges are mostly private institutions that offer four-year bachelor’s degrees. These colleges focus on the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. The average tuition at these institutions ranges from $20,000 to $40,000 annually.
Community colleges: Community colleges are state-funded and offer associate’s degrees. An associate’s degree usually acts as a foundation for a bachelor’s degree, as students transfer to another (usually highly accredited universities like the Ivy League) and complete the remaining two years. The average tuition ranges between $8,000 to $20,000 annually.
Technical Colleges: These colleges can be both public and private. It offers courses in Math, Science and Engineering and is typically focused towards graduates who have a strong foundation in science and math. The tuition ranges from $8,000 to $55,000.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Studying in the U.S. is relatively more expensive compared to other study-abroad destinations. But the good news is that there are many scholarships that you could secure.

University Scholarships

Merit-based Scholarship: Such scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence and exceptional extracurricular activities.

Need-Based Scholarship: Such scholarships are awarded to students who qualify based on financial need to attend the university. Students are required to submit income documents and bank statements to their respective universities.

Government-Funded

Fulbright Foreign Student Program: This is fully funded by the U.S. government. The scholarship covers tuition, airfare, health insurance and living stipend. It is open to students pursuing a master’s degree or Ph.D.

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship: Offered to mid-career professionals from developing countries. It covers tuition, living expenses, and professional development.
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program: Offered to students from developing countries who are pursuing development-related fields. It covers tuition, travel and a monthly stipend.

Work Opportunities

International undergraduate students are restricted from working off-campus jobs. However, universities offer many on-campus jobs such as library assistant, research assistant, tech jobs, and canteen positions. Students can work up to 20 hours per week during academic terms and up to 40 hours during scheduled breaks.

International graduate students have more opportunities to work off-campus under a condition called Curricular Practical Training (CPT). CPT allows student to work off-campus in fields related to their study.

Post-study opportunities

After graduation, international students have different paths to gain practical work in their field. The programs facilitating this are:

Optional Practical Training (OPT): OPT training allows F-1 visa holders to get temporary employment related to their area of study. Students can apply for up to 12 months either before completion or after completion of their academic program.
STEM OPT Extension: Students graduating with degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) fields are eligible for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT, which sums up to 36 months of work authorization.
Long-Term Employment: After completion of their OPT, graduates seeking to continue working in the U.S. can do so by obtaining a H-1B visa. This visa is a temporary work visa for foreign workers. The U.S. government has a set limit of work visa applications; when the number of applications exceeds this limit, the process is based on a lottery system.

VISA DOCUMENTS

Application Documents:

Valid Passport : A passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay in the U.S.
DS-160 Form: This is a Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form which can be found in the U.S. Embassy’s website.
SEVIS Fee Receipt (I-901 Form): You have to pay a non-refundable $350 SEVIS fee.
Visa Application Fee Receipt: A non-refundable amount of $185 needs to be paid as Visa application fees.
I-20 Form: This is the form that you receive from your U.S. school.

Academic Documents:

Original and photocopies of academic transcripts and certificates.

TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, DUOLINGO test.
For undergraduates: SAT/ACT
For graduate programs: GRE/GMAT

Financial Documents:

Bank balance certificate: A bank balance that shows you have sufficient fund to cover your tuition, living expenses and other costs.

Bank statements: Bank statements should be of last 6 months to prove your financial stability.
Financial Affidavit of Support: A format of the affidavit is usually provided by your U.S. institution while applying, where you fill in information about a sponsor(s) who is funding your studies.
Income Source Documents (if required): Some students might me required to submit land ownership documents, salary ship and other documents to prove they have needed financial support.