Hello,
I am an international student from Bangladesh. I was accepted to Arkansas Tech University with International Excellence Scholarship which left me to pay around $13,000 each year. However, the visa approval rate in Bangladesh is very poor. Visa officers don’t really want to see any financial documents. Therefore, applicants can’t prove that they are financially capable. Visa officers only care about Full Ride Kids. If the deficit on your I-20 is less than $4000, then you have a good shot at getting a visa, otherwise your visa will be rejected at 95% of time for no reason!
It is not really acceptable when you work hard for 1-2 years for getting into a US university, and all of your dedication comes to an end withing 2 minutes in a visa interview.
I contacted with Arkansas Tech regarding this, and wanted to know if there is other source of funding. They said that they had done everything from their side. I actually want to know from you guys if there is any private scholarship that covers room & board of international student. I need it for first year only.
I am sorry for a long post. I know I am not a topper. But, I do everything to my best. Any suggestions from you guys are welcome.
Thank you.
I do not know of any such scholarships. However, I process F-1 visas for a college, and it is impossible to predict whether or not you will get a visa. I have not seen any anecdotal evidence based on postings on the international student advisor listserv that lead me to believe there is a concerted effort to deny visas to any student from Bangladesh who does not have full funding. Get your funding information together, be prepared to demonstrate strong ties to your country (because they want to know that you plan to return to Bangladesh after graduation), and go to your visa appointment. Best wishes.
And what’s your plan for years 2, 3 and 4? You wouldn’t be able to stay in school if you couldn’t pay for the following years. Were you just planning to leave school and stay in the US illegally? This is why the rules are there in the first place.
Regardless of your country outside of the U.S., you would have to show you
Had full funding for at least the first year (some colleges require more years) to get a Visa to study here.
This is not unique to students coming from Bangladesh
@patsmom, You didn’t get me at all. My parents have two times more money required for four years in their savings accounts. But, visa officers don’t want to see financial documents. I meant if I can get an additional scholarship for first year (I don’t need for subsequent years as my parents can afford it), then the deficit would be less than $4000 on my I-20, and it will significantly increase the possibility of getting a visa I believe. I know tons of people who were rejected because they didn’t have almost full funding from their universities, and after rejection, some MSc & PhD students who could increase funds to almost full from their universities, got their visas without any hassle. I would like to invite you to this ‘HigherStudyAbroad™ - Global Hub of Bangladeshis’ facebook group. In this group, Bangladeshi students post their visa interviews. There, you can find what I said in this post right or wrong.
Unfortunately in the US, foreign nations’ bureaucratic processes and regulations aren’t the basis for scholarship and/or financial aid awards. Maybe it would have been a better idea to apply to countries where it’s easier to get a visa.
@qwertyuiop159
Are you a masters or PHD student? If you are an undergrad…you willmjeed to file a certificate of finances WITH YOUR COLLEGE HERE which documents that you have all the money at the ready to pay for at least one year of college. Depending on your college…it could,be 2,3 or 4 years of funds.
If you don’t provide that documentation, you won’t get a visa to study here.
The issues you are describing originate in YOUR country…not here.
So…as suggested above…get your documentation and go apply.