Financial Aids for International Students

<p>I am about to graduate in Argentina as an Electronics Engineer. I would like to do a master in science in USA. What are my chances being an international student to get a scholarship? What about a loan? My sister is a US citizen, so she would be the cosigner.</p>

<p>Do you need to take GRE/GMAT/TOEFL or anything similar?
Graduate schools are going to look at your test scores and recommendations for a fellowship.</p>

<p>I need to take the GRE. I’m planning on taking it around october in case i have to take it again.
A scholarship or fellowship would be a great idea, but it is more difficult i think. This is the reason for the loan. If i do get a scholarship or fellowship, i think it is not going to cover 100% tutions & fees. The loan should be to cover the rest or if i do not get a scholarship or fellowship…but,being an international student…i think any bank will prefer an american before me. What do you think?</p>

<p>If your GRE score is really impressive you might manage without loans, a university will figure out how to finance your education.
REALLY IMPRESSIVE! Both GRE and professional recommendations.</p>

<p>Well…i’ll try to get the best results possible. But IF i don’t get them…do i have any chance with a loan? I don’t mind being 10 or 15 years paying it, plus…i think being an engineer with a master…i should be able to get a well paid job (I HOPE :D)</p>

<p>Most engineering masters’ programs do not offer financial aid beyond loans. There are some exceptions, but assistantships are generally reserved for Ph.D students.</p>

<p>Ya Ya’s assertion is just not true. Graduate admissions and financial aid policies are far more nuanced than “get good GRE scores.” If anything, the GRE is the least important part of graduate admissions.</p>

<p>You will likely have a difficult time getting a U.S. bank to loan you money, given your non-resident status. Is your sister willing to sign for loans of tens of thousands of dollars?</p>

<p>You’d be much more likely to get funding for a PhD than for a masters. As for a loan, your sister would probably have to take a personal loan as banks won’t loan to a foreign student. This would have to be done before you apply for your visa as you will have to show you have the money. Why not just attend UBA? It seems to have a very good grad program In engineering. It will be hard to pay back that loan on a peso salary.</p>

<p>There are Master/PhD programs as far as I know. Some people from my country got pretty good finaid. They had truly exceptional brains, of course.</p>

<p>Why would you want to borrow that much for a masters in engineeering? You’d have to borrow over $100k. the amount that you’d might earn beyond what a BS would earn couldn’t justify that much debt.</p>

<p>A PhD in eng’g would likely be funded if you have strong stats (GPA and GRE) and LORs.</p>

<p>Why would he even want to go above Bachelor in engineering? This is one of the perfect, well paid professions where Bachelor degree is enough.
Unless you want to go up to some academic level instead of being just an industry professional. And if you want to go to academic level you have to go above Master degree</p>

<p>I have been using this website: [International</a> Student Loans Center - Student Loans for College Students](<a href=“http://www.internationalstudentloan.com/]International”>http://www.internationalstudentloan.com/)
It shows private loans options for the school you select on their lists…is it a good site? Is it reliable?</p>

<p>The more important question isn’t whether the site is reliable. The significant issue is WHY would you think it’s a good idea to take on such big debt for grad school? What do you think it will get you?</p>

<p>Being an international student, fees & tutions are more expensive. My chances to get a scolarship or a fellowship aren’t that good i think, so that is why i keep thinking about getting a loan. Isn’t grad school worth it?</p>

<p>aripod</p>

<p>Why do you need further education in engineering? Are you going into academics or is it your way of immigration?
If it is your way of immigration it is not worth it. You are just going to put your sister in trouble, that’s it.</p>

<p>At private schools, being an int’l won’t be “more expensive”. </p>

<p>And schools do give assistantships and stipends to grad students.</p>

<p>mom2collegekids
He said his chances for scholarships were not good and he is not sure he will have really good GRE scores. He might face full price everywhere.</p>

<p>Electronics is a big field. In my university we see a little bit of everything. I need to go further because i want to specialize in an specific field.</p>

<p>I don’t know my chances for a scholarship…but i just to have an option in case i don’t get it. And for the GRE i’m preparing it right now to take it in 4 o 5 months…so i’ll try to get the best results i can.</p>

<p>Just really want to know all my options. Of course if i can get a scholarship or work inside the university to pay my studies would be great.</p>

<p>I have been looking at Berkeley UC and the fees & tutios are more expensive for international students</p>

<p>aripod
you are not ready to know options until you know your GPA and GRE scores.When you know them you can come back and start asking questions what universities you should apply to that might give you best financial aid in your major with your GRE and GPA.
And don’t forget professional recommendations. I heard so many times that they are really big deal for TA positions. You don’t get recommendations - you don’t get TA.</p>

<p>My GPA will be around 3.4…GRE…will have to wait until I take it.
How a professional recommendation from Argentina would matter in the US?</p>

<p>A lot of internationals believe they can stay in the US if they go to school here, hopefully this is not the OPs reason as he comes from a country with an unstable currancy, and paying off a US dollar loan will be all but impossible in Argentina.</p>

<p>I’ve had several Argentine students who’ve had a really hard time getting visas because many try to stay in the US.</p>