<p>Specifically for international students. I am Canadian and am interested in doing a liberal arts or fine arts degree, and so would prefer a college with a strong fine arts/performing arts program. The reputation of the school isn't too important, as long as it isn't on the absolute bottom-rung. I will be paying it all on my own and with loans. My hope is that I will be able apply to as many scholarships as I can once I am there to fund the rest of my education, and then transfer to a better school. Is this very risky? </p>
<p>My plan had originally been to spend my 1st year at a relatively cheaper Canadian university and then transfer to a US university. I also want to use my 1st year to explore all of my interests and then decide on which to pursue. I'd be able to do this at a Canadian university while taking community college courses in subjects that the university doesn't offer, and all at an affordable price. On the other hand if I were able to do all of this while going to college in the states, that would be truly wonderful! </p>
<p>Anyone have any suggestions? It doesn't have to be a 4-year university, community colleges with preferably good teaching and affordable international tuition rates would be best.</p>
<p>Use the College Board CollegeMatchmaker or another search engine to look for places with tuition rates that you can afford. But please don’t forget that you will also have to pay for your other expenses. When you visit the individual schools’ websites, search for “Cost of Attendance” or COA. You will find that some give a much more generous book allowance, some neglect to include long-distance travel from home to school, and others skip other items. You will need to readjust the estimated COA for what it is likely to actually cost you. In other words, it will almost certainly be more expensive for you than what the school posts on it’s website.</p>
<p>If you are undecided about your life and career goals, I would suggest a gap year (or two). Take some time off from school, enroll in non-credit fun classes if you like, work a bit and save some money, travel a bit, think about what you’d like to do when your formal education is done. Then look for a good university for yourself that will help you meet your revised goals.</p>
<p>Well, for out-of-state and international students it is hard to beat the price at the State University of New York (SUNY) schools. Tuition for the year is only $12,870, which is cheaper than in-state tuition at some state flagships. SUNYs four university centers are Buffalo, Binghamton, Stony Brook and Albany.</p>
<p>Tuition for non-NYS residents at the community colleges I am familiar with is $6,624 per year.</p>
<p>I second Univ of Minn. with instate rates and there are some good art programs in Univ of Minn. Also look to Univ of Montana, they have a good arts and culture program.</p>
<p>It just occured to me too that I would want to apply to as many scholarships as I could, but the pool of scholarships offered to international students current enrolled at a US college is much smaller than a Canadian student going to school in Canada. Is this correct?</p>
<p>Most of the scholarships I’ve found on fastweb, etc, require that you be a US citizen or perm resident.</p>
<p>If I stay in Canada I’d have a better chance. And lower tuition.</p>