Download - Financing Your Graduate U S Studies
Financing Your Financing Your Graduate Graduate Studies in the Studies in the U.S.U.S.
Choosing the best Choosing the best program for program for YOUYOU
Start Early Identify your long term goals Determine your available time Research diverse institutions and
professors Consult with an educational adviser
Before You Apply…Before You Apply…
Assess your financial situation Determine your contribution Consider different types of institutions
Public vs. Private Remember additional costs: application
fees, postage, testing Know that tuition & fees will increase every
year (around 5%) Financial Aid options will too
General Rules to General Rules to ConsiderConsider
Financial Aid is limited to the most PROMISING applicants with: Demonstrated academic potential Research and teaching experience A polished application
Start the application process very early Do your research
At an EducationUSA center and on the internet Enhance your application
Contact the DepartmentContact the Department
Types of questions to ask: What does it take to be admitted and to receive
funding in this department? What are the common types of financial aid that
students in the department have received? What other suggestions do you have for reducing
costs while studying at your institution?If they can’t answer these questions, don’t
apply!
ExamsExams TOEFL iBT
www.ets.org/toefl Various authorized centers in
Mexico City GRE
www.ets.org/gre Mexico City, Guadalajara and
Monterey GRE Subject Tests
(Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Literature in English, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology)
GMAT www.mba.com Mexico City,
Guadalajara and Monterey
The ApplicationThe Application Depends on the program or university Typical Requirements:
School/program’s application form Statement of purpose Letters of recommendation (2-3, translation required) Official undergraduate transcripts (translation required) Exams (TOEFL, GRE, GMAT etc.) Résumé Sometimes a portfolio or sample of past work Financial statement
Set Your Application Apart Set Your Application Apart
Enhance your application: Is your statement of purpose the best it can
possibly be? Invest time in perfecting it! Cultivate effective letters of recommendation. Select departments/professors interested in
supporting your research. Highlight community involvement and
community service as they are attractive assets.
Calculating your expensesCalculating your expenses
Application Fees ($35-100/institution) Tuition ($15,000-30,000+/yr) Room & Board ($5,000-10,000/yr) University Student Fees
($100-$300/term) Medical and Dental Insurance Travel Expenses Living Expenses
Graduate Financial Aid Graduate Financial Aid SourcesSources
U.S. University
44%
Personal/Family 44%
Patterns and Trends in Patterns and Trends in FundingFunding
More funding is available for: PhD programs
compared to master’s programs. Research and Doctoral universities
compared to master’s institutions Academic programs
compared to professional programs (law, medicine, dentistry, MBAs, etc.)
Many programs don’t offer funding until the second year.
Funding Varies by FieldFunding Varies by Field
Engineering, computer science, math 82% of PhD candidates are funded 55% of master’s candidates
Humanities 56% of PhD candidates are funded 41% of master’s candidates
Business, law, and other professions: funding is rare and loans are common
Financial Aid ProgramsFinancial Aid Programs
U.S. Universities Government Private Foundations Loans
Types of Funding: U.S. Types of Funding: U.S. Universities Universities
AssistantshipsAssistantships Teaching (TA): Awarded by department.
Must demonstrate strong spoken English and teaching experience. Can be in other departments (languages, math).
Research (RA): Awarded by professors. Contributes to your thesis research.
Graduate (GA): Awarded by grad school. Administrative, library.
The ProfessorThe Professor
Professors manage teaching and research assistantships.
You need to communicate with the professors Learn about them and their research from
the school’s website and scholar.google.com Write to them about your academic interests
and what you can contribute to their researchThey should know you before they
receive your application!
Types of Funding: U.S. Types of Funding: U.S. Universities Universities
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-State Tuition WaiversWaivers
Several universities and/or state governments offer out-of-state tuition waivers (based on country of origin, region or ethnicity)
In Texas: PASE & Good Neighbor Scholarship Program Mexican nationals who demonstrate financial need
pay in-state tuition at public universities in Texas For more information visit each university’s
website
Types of Funding: Types of Funding: GovernmentGovernment Fulbright-Fulbright-Garcia RoblesGarcia Robles
Scholarships for students, research, teacher exchange, and resident scholars
Variety of fields of study, Excludes medicine, dentistry and veterinary studies
Scholarship: $15,000 for 9 months renewable for 1 year for Master’s, 2 years for Doctorate
Commission selects student then helps find university
J-1 Visa obligates students to return to Mexico for a minimum of 2 years afterwards
www.comexus.org.mx
Types of Funding: Types of Funding: GovernmentGovernment CONACYTCONACYT Full and partial scholarships for
graduate students already accepted by universities
Give preference to PhD students Focuses on science and technology Partners with U.S. universities
www.conacyt.com.mx
Types of Funding: FoundationTypes of Funding: Foundation Magdalena O. Vda. De Magdalena O. Vda. De
Brockmann (MOB)Brockmann (MOB)
Full and partial scholarships for graduate students already accepted by universities
At least 2 years of work experience Any field of study
except medicine, architecture, sports and fine arts
Must return to Mexico for a minimum of 5 years Must reimburse MOB 30% of the scholarship
within 3 years
www.becasmob.org.mx
Types of Funding: FoundationTypes of Funding: Foundation American Association of American Association of
University Women University Women (AAUW (AAUW Foundation)Foundation)
Fellowship for full-time study or research to support community-based projects that are designed to improve the lives of women and girls in the fellow’s home country.
Female graduate students already accepted by universities
One year: $18,000 for Master’s, $20,000 for Doctorate
$30,000 for post-doctorate
Types of Funding: Mexico Types of Funding: Mexico LoansLoans FIDERH, FUNED & OASFIDERH, FUNED & OAS
FIDERH (Banco de Mexico): loan for graduate degrees Funding for up to 3 years Must repay the loan within 10 years www.fiderh.org.mx
FUNED: loan for students accepted by a university Covers most expenses Must repay the loan within 6 years www.fundacionbeca.net
OAS-PAN: Interest-free loans for Latin American students Must complete studies in 2 years Must repay the loan within 5 years www.oas.org/rowe
Types of Funding: U.S. Types of Funding: U.S. LoansLoans
Most U.S. banks require U.S. citizens or permanent residents to co-sign the loan
Some universities have made arrangements with local banks
For more information on loans, look at International Education Finance Corporation www.iefc.comSallie Mae International www.salliemae.com CitiAssist www.studentloan.citibank.com
Tips for Reducing CostsTips for Reducing Costs
Request an application fee waiver Mail all your applications to one person in the U.S.
to send them to separate universities Prepare and study for admissions exams so
you only have to take them once Research options for taking summer courses Find a job on campus ($1,000-2,000/semester) Apply to be a Resident Assistant after your
first year (save on living expenses)
Homework to get startedHomework to get started Make an advising appointment Visit www.petersons.com and create a list of
potential schoolsFind out the deadlines, costs, and requirements for each school.
Assess how much you (and your family or sponsor) can contribute to your higher education
Visit www.fundingusstudy.org and create a list of possible scholarship opportunities.
The student visaThe student visa 3 types of student visas
F-1 SEVIS I-20 J-1 DS-2019 M-1 SEVISI-20
http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/smxvisitar.html
Thank You!EducationUSA
Liverpool 31, Col. Juárez 06600 México, D.F.
Horario: 11:00 – 17:00 de lunes a viernesTel: 5703-0167, 5080-2801
Email: [email protected]://educationusa.state.gov
http://iielatinamerica.org