<p>I've been accepted to a masters program in Italy in the sciences. There are many reasons for me being in Italy, however, the greatest reason for earning my masters here is the low cost. Tuition will be about 2 thousand dollars per year, plus living expenses (fairly cheap city). </p>
<p>The problem is getting the visa. They ask for the student to have, before obtaining the visa, about 600$ for each month of the masters. That amounts to about 8 thousand dollars for 1 year. How do I go about having this money before I leave? Will US banks give me a loan for this? It's a great program, in a great place, and affordable for many people. What should I do?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Well, unless you have a benefactor (typically parents/relatives), a student loan seems to be the only option (unless your Italian university will support you with fellowships/assistantships like in the U.S.).</p>
<p>But I don’t really think the internet is qualified to give you financial advice so this is a bizarre place to ask…</p>
<p>It’s not a bizarre place to ask at all. CC is full of questions relating to paying for school, paying for living expenses, and many questions about FAFSA. There are many people on this forum who may have experiences relating to my questions. Also, you say the internet is not qualified to give financial advice - it’s the people who use the internet who could have the advice.</p>
<p>I only rant about your response because many people are “lurkers” because they believe their questions are stupid, wrong, or already answered somewhere else. This is due to misguided and condescending answers. </p>
<p>Anyway, I’m looking for advice. Does anyone have a similar experience they can share?</p>
<p>
Pure brilliance on display.</p>
<p>If the school is approved by the US resources (check to see if it has a FAFSA #) you can get student loans, but you’d better get that lined up and be able to show the loan letter by the time you apply for the visa. That will come from the Italian school finaid dept</p>