However, at the Master’s level, aid in several forms is available for international students. Almost 78% of students at the Master’s level in US universities get funding in some form or the other.

Most Doctoral level applicants get a complete tuition waiver along with a stipend or scholarship while pursuing their PhD programs in universities abroad. It is also possible for some universities to provide just the admission and no funding at all, based on their financial constraints and funding availability.

Applicants looking for aid are required to apply well before financial aid deadlines, with proper application material, College Application Essays, Recommendations, transcripts and other specified requirements, as prescribed by universities individually.

Many students are concerned with the high costs of studying abroad. The cost of education could be anywhere between USD 10,000- USD 50,000 per year, depending on the program, level and country you choose. In addition to the tuition fee, students also need to plan for funds towards living expenses, books, health insurance, air tickets, transportation, etc.

Finances are a major source of worry for students who wish to study abroad and their parents. However, there are several funding options available to students these days. Some of the options are listed below:

• Scholarships/Fellowships/Grants
• Tuition Waiver
• Assistantships
• Administrative internships
• Program related internships
• Bank loans

From 2008, USIEF has also introduced the Fulbright Master’s Fellowships for Leadership Development designed for outstanding Indians who are in the age group of 25-30 years, to pursue a Master’s degree program in select US colleges and universities in the areas of Public Administration, Economics, Communication studies and Environment.

For more details, see: www.usief.org.in

It is important for students to understand that financial assistance for international students is often based on merit and rarely on need.

A Scholarship can be of two kinds:

• Full – The Scholarship would pay for the student’s entire tuition fee; living expenses his books, etc.
• Partial – Scholarship would pay only for tuition fee. The student will have to provide for partial funding through other sources.

For information on Scholarships/ Grants and Fellowships, see: www.fastweb.com

If the tuition fee is waived, the student has to still pay for use of other facilities like, library, computer Lab, Lab services, etc.

Tuition waivers are generally awarded along with /Grants/fellowships. Tuition waiver is provided by the college/university in the form of Institutional Aid.

It can be understood that these types of aid are provided to students who have the requisite abilities in the respective areas of study/research.

This type of aid is provided to Master's and Doctoral level students who are expected to teach undergraduate students or assist their professors in research.

Program-related Internships - These can enable a student either to earn money or gain academic credits for the work done.