<p>I wonder how many international students already asked this question?</p>
<p>I'm residing in Singapore with a polytechnic diploma, planning to take up Bachelor in Commerce (Accounting major). I researched on quite a few colleges and universities, and managed to find a few that charges relatively low tuition fee for an international student but then the cost of living per annum adds up to quite a bit as well.</p>
<p>Is there a cheap community college or university that ranges around USD10,000-USD13,000/year (tuition fee + cost of living + miscellaneous) for international students taking Accounting major?</p>
<p>Also, I know this is kind of a stupid question. But what is the major difference between a community college and a university?</p>
<p>Any help/information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>First, check out the International Students threads, people who post there have identified some schools known for financial aid/lower costs for international students. </p>
<p>The difference between a community college and university: community college is a 2-year school offering remedial and lower division courses. They’re public schools and they’ve not very expensive, but international students will pay considerably more. You can get an Associate’s degree at a community college, but you can also simply take general education requirements there and transfer to a college or university for your final two years. </p>
<p>A university is a public or private institution that offers advanced degrees: Master’s and Doctorates.</p>
<p>Hey redswirl!!! I live in Singapore right now too So yeah, I’m familiar with both Sg and US systems. Polys are kind of the alternatives to going to JCs here right? At least the academic level is the same. But community college can go two ways, either it means you graduate with an Associate’s degree after two years, or you do well and transfer to a college to do two more years and get a Bachelor’s degree. </p>
<p>About expenses: Below 13000, is kind of unfeasible. Community colleges mostly don’t have residential dorms, so you gotta rent a place nearby, and hopefully you’ve already got your driver’s license now(you graduated from poly, you should be at least 19 right?) and even then you gotta get international license cause in sg we drive on a different side of the road, and that doesn’t cover transport costs, living expenses etc. Not too sure how expensive community college tuition is, just google those you’re interested in and check. For 4 years colleges, 13000 is kinda impossible, most colleges charge tuition waaaaaay above 13000, let alone cost of living. </p>
<p>Maybe google ‘cheapest 4 year colleges for international students’ and see what comes out? Can’t hurt. See if they offer scholarships for internationals. Don’t expect to get any financial aid though.</p>
<p>Also if you’re looking into 4 year colleges, you do know you have to take the SAT right? Some colleges award auto scholarships if you hit a certain GPA and SAT mark. If you post your GPA and SAT score, I can help you lots more. Also, which poly are you from? Sometimes being from a more rigorous poly can help if your gpa is slightly lower!</p>
<p>I should have explored the forum first. Pardon me! I did read on financial aid for international students but most of it comes in the form of merit scholarships, which seems far away for me. Still, I should just try applying, no harm.</p>
<p>Meaning if I want to do Bachelor of Commerce within 3-4 years, the best option for me is university instead of college, right?</p>
<p>Thanks yeah!</p>
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<p>Yeap, after graduating from secondary school, there’s the option of JC, Poly or ITE. I went to 2 years of ITE and then at Poly when I was 19. So I’m 22 this September but no, I have not taken my driving license yet. Planning to do so by this year end though but then I don’t think I am thinking of driving if I do study in US.</p>
<p>An alternative to US would be to study in Australia because I have an Aunt there and I can save quite a considerable amount if I live with her. So I am still finding a cheaper option. I’m currently working full-time and saving up but I estimate that I would only be able to save about SGD7,200 - 8,000 a year. My parents are sponsoring me about SGD30,000? Fairly enough for a year.</p>
<p>Yeah, I am planning on taking SAT in Singapore, still preparing for it! I’m from Ngee Ann, and well, my GPA isn’t really good. I got a final GPA of 3.2 for my final semester but my cummulative GPA is only 2.8.</p>
<p>Do investigate the Australian option. Australia is much more generous with work permission for international students, and you might be able to find a job there that would cover most of your living expenses. In the US that would be nearly impossible.</p>
<p>If you use any of the college-matching search engines to look for places to study, you can set the tuition filter for the price range you are looking for, but the programs will not filter for the full cost of attendance (COA). Even in a less expensive part of the country, you should expect to spend USD 10,000 for your food, apartment, local transportation, electricity/gas/water/sewage, telephone, etc. over the course of a school year. This means that it is very difficult to find a place where the COA for an international student would be less than USD 20,000.</p>
<p>Anyway, US colleges generally look at cumulative GPA, so 2.8 really does lower your chances quite alot, and since money is a bit of an issue you might have problems as an international student. Unless you have US citizenship? Cause that would change things entirely.</p>
<p>Tbh I do think Australian unis are cheaper, but if you’re coming back to Sg to work then they aren’t as highly regarded as local unis or US unis. Nothing to do with quality, but you know kiasu Singaporeans and their stereotypes ! They’re generally more lax about working, in US I think you’re limited to 20h/week on campus if you’re on a student visa. And of course you get to live with your aunt in Aussie, so that’s much cheaper too!</p>
<p>I think your best shot is Australian unis though! I have a friend who’s studying there now (Business and Psych double major) and she loves it! </p>
<p>But definitely take the SAT and see first though It’s best to keep your options open :)</p>
So yeah, I’m familiar with both Sg and US systems. Polys are kind of the alternatives to going to JCs here right? At least the academic level is the same. But community college can go two ways, either it means you graduate with an Associate’s degree after two years, or you do well and transfer to a college to do two more years and get a Bachelor’s degree. </p>
They’re generally more lax about working, in US I think you’re limited to 20h/week on campus if you’re on a student visa. And of course you get to live with your aunt in Aussie, so that’s much cheaper too!</p>