Detailed Guide on How to Study Abroad in USA

Do you want to study abroad in USA? Well, as much as how difficult it is for some people, there’s always a simpler way. If you want to study in the USA, keep reading as we walk you through what it takes.

Considering how difficult it can be for international students to get accepted into a university in the USA to study, Academic Related has prepared this guide to help students like you.

In this very article, you will learn everything it takes to study in a country like the USA, including getting a student visa which is one of the major challenges in the process.

To add spice to the information in this article, we have included a list of the cheapest universities in the USA and a list of the most accessible Universities to get accepted in. Practically everything you need to know about studying in the USA has been featured in this article.

So, if you desire to study abroad, then continue reading!

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How to Study Abroad in the USA

First, you’re about to discover why you should choose the United States of America as your study destination if you want to study abroad.

The cost of living in the US as an international student, cheap universities in the USA, as well as scholarship opportunities available for international students in the USA.

In addition, you will get the necessary information on obtaining a student visa and the requirements to study abroad in the USA. So you’re welcome aboard.

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Before Studying Abroad in the USA, You Should Know These Things:

#1 Health Insurance and Books

Your state of health cannot be trifled with to ensure an exciting education abroad. However, you should know that the U.S. has some of the highest healthcare costs in the world. So you must have your health insurance in order before leaving or as soon as possible while there.

In the same vein, the cost of textbooks can often be overwhelming. But if you get to campus early enough, be sure to grab some cheap second-hand books. Then, you can sell them back at the end of the semester.

#2 Time Zones and Transactions

Throughout the U.S., there are six time zones. As a result, ensure you understand your destination’s time zone. Also, most transactions are preferred with credit cards or online payment modules.

So be sure to notify your domestic bank that you will use such services to avoid being placed in an unfortunate and embarrassing spot.

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#3 Appellations

Depending on where you’re from, you may be unfamiliar with the U.S. naming system. First off, universities are commonly called colleges.

Secondly, the imperial system is still used for measurement in the U.S. Hence, get familiar with thinking of height in feet, distance in miles, the temperature in Fahrenheit, and weight in pounds.

Other names that may sound puzzling are:

‘take out or to go for takeaway
‘Whole milk’ for full cream milk
‘Liquor store’ for a bottle shop
‘Jelly’ for jam
‘Popsicle’ for ice block
‘Ketchup’ for tomato sauce
‘Candy’ for sweets and lollipop
‘Beets’ for beetroot

#4 Weather and Clothing

There are four distinct seasons: winter, summer, spring, and fall. Generally, a jacket and heavier clothing will do for winter (December through February).

Light clothing and sometimes a jacket would suffice for spring, the rainiest season (March through May).

Lighter clothing is preferred for summer as it is generally hot and usually the driest season (June through August). Finally, fall (September through November) varies from warm to cool. Regular clothing, sometimes a jacket may be needed as it rains occasionally.

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Study Abroad in the USA for Free

America offers some of the best educational standards in the world, thus making it a prime destination for international students to study abroad.

And fortunately, international students stand a good chance to enjoy such quality education for absolutely free or, most times, something close to that.

Can I Study Abroad in the USA for Free?

Studying abroad in the USA can be very difficult, considering the cost involved. But, of course, there are some tuition-free colleges in the US for international students.

Even better, they often have some little perks attached to tuition-free studies.

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Are there Cheap Universities in the USA for International Students?

High education in the USA is all the rage, and you will be seeking to cut costs by all means. If tuition-free colleges are not your style, we’ve arranged more options for you.

Here’s a list of some of the cheapest colleges for you to study abroad in the USA and their average annual tuition fees:

• Lehman College – $3,671
• South Texas College – $4,600
• Minot State University – $6,800
• Alcorn State University – $7,600
• California State University – $8,300
• Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, Missouri – $9,990
• Bradley University Peoria, Illinois – $10,170
• Brigham Young University – $11,356
• The City University of New York – $17,800

Cost of Living in the USA as an International Student

It shouldn’t surprise you that the world’s largest economy has a high taste in lifestyle, backed by high costs on almost everything. Well, it sure is valid for the USA.

Despite offering a bubbling economy and incredible scenery for all sorts of endeavors, it’s not the cheapest place to live. Below, let’s find out how good it gets.

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What is the Average Cost of Living in the USA?

This question is certainly on your mind, especially if you’ve never been to the U.S. To begin with, the living costs in the U.S. vary widely because of its large territory. Nonetheless, we’ll give you a good idea of the much-discussed luxury and expense in the United States.

Estimated living costs in the USA are around $10,000 per year, which averages around $700 per month. Inclusive of accommodation, food, travel (within the country), clothing, and entertainment expenses.

Here’s a breakdown of expected monthly expenditures:

• Books and study material – $40 to $80
• Accommodation – $200
• Electricity – $40
• Groceries (home-cooked meals) – $150
• International Calling cards – $15
• Home Internet – $15
• Cell phone – $50
• Restaurant meals – $75
• Entertainment – $100
• Car Insurance – $100
• Petrol for the car – $75
• Weekend activities – $100
• Shopping – $100
• Note: These amounts differ from state to state within the U.S. And are not fixed but only give an idea of average costs in the various states.

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What are the Cheapest Cities in the USA for International Students?

There are always two sides to every coin. Similarly, there are some affordable cities to look out for if you want to study abroad in the USA. They are not the cheapest cities in the world, but they are the most affordable cities in the United States.

Furthermore, as a general rule of thumb, locations in the mid-west region have lower living costs, while those in the east and northeast have the highest.

So if you’re looking for cities not to spend too much, here’s a list for you:

• Buffalo, New York
• Kansas City, Missouri
• Dayton, Ohio
• Omaha, Nebraska
• Birmingham, Alabama
• Louisville, Kentucky
• Memphis, Tennessee
• Greenville, South Carolina
• Colorado Springs, Colorado
• San Antonio, Texas

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Scholarships to Study Abroad in the USA for International Students

Having a good presence on the list of the world’s best institutions, U.S. colleges welcome foreign students. You’ll have a wide variety of scholarships to select from.

Including everything from government-sponsored organizations to universities and foundations, there are just a lot of tuition waivers, fully paid and partial scholarships available to international students.

Government Scholarships for International Students

The ‘U.S. Federal government scholarships are offered by the U.S. federal government and provide financial aid to international students worldwide.

Quite a few scholarships available to international students enable them to access top-notch educational facilities at a lesser cost than normal.

Some of these scholarships are:

TLP-SP Master’s Degree Scholarships Program

The TLP-SP Master’s Degree Scholarships Program is a full-funding international scholarship offered by the US Federal Government for international Master’s degree students.

Students eligible for this scholarship are Kosovan nationals only.

Get the Scholarship

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US Embassy Scholarships

Each country has its own US embassy scholarships, find the available scholarships for your specific country and apply.

Get Scholarship

Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Summer Institute

The Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Summer Institute is also a full-funding international scholarship by the US Federal Government for international students.

Students eligible for this scholarship are Bulgarian Nationals.

Get Scholarship

Fulbright Student Scholarship Program

The Fulbright Student Scholarship Program is another full-funding international scholarship provided by the US Federal Government for international students.

This scholarship is open to Lebanese students and long-term Palestinian residents in Lebanon.

Get Scholarship

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STEM Women’s Undergraduate Scholarship

The STEM Women’s Undergraduate Scholarship is a partial-funding international scholarship offered by the US Federal Government for international students.

Get Scholarship

Fulbright Irish Student Awards

You can apply for this scholarship by clicking here

University Scholarship in the USA for International Students

Financing your degree at any school, you wish to study at abroad in the USA shouldn’t be stressful. The first port of call for you is to check for a scholarship or financial aid from your college‘s financial aid office.

Almost every school in the U.S. provides financial aid to international students seeking admission. Hence, before you apply to a school, make sure they offer scholarships, grants, or financial aid satisfactory to you.

However, we’ve listed some generous offers for you:

Brandeis University

Brandeis University offers payment for the “full demonstrated financial need of each recipient” of its international scholarship, including one round-trip air ticket each year.

Get Scholarship

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Berea College

Berea College offers a 100% scholarship to international students in their first year, after which each student is expected to pay $1,000 annually to contribute to their expenses.

Furthermore, the college also provides a summer job to help students meet this target.

Get Scholarship

Clark University

Clark University offers international student scholarships ranging from $20,000 to $25,000 per year. It also automatically considers applicants qualified for merit-based grants.

Get Scholarship

Illinois Wesleyan University

The Illinois Wesleyan University awards candidates with outstanding academic performance and entrance exam test score scholarships ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 per year. This is renewable for up to four years.

Get Scholarship

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Requirements to Study Abroad in USA

The general requirement to study abroad in the USA are enumerated below,

• Completed application form and proof of secondary school completion.
• Certificate of English language proficiency, usually TOEFL, SAT, ACT, etc.
• Evidence of financial support.
• In addition, the TOEFL scores required differ per university, as are some other extra admission requirements. For instance, some colleges will request only an ‘SAT I’ (Scholastic Assessment Test 1) result. While others may also require ‘SAT II subject tests. So be sure to check with your university of choice for specific requirements.

USA Student Visa for International Students

You’ll need a visa to study in the United States. You must be sure to obtain the precise visa for your needs because the American visa system is tight. You won’t be admitted to the nation if you don’t.

However, if you are a Canadian or Bermudan citizen, all you need to enter the country to study is a completed I-20 form and proof of enrollment.

The three categories of study visas are the F visa, M visa, and B visa. Most certainly, if you’re studying overseas, you’ll need an F visa.

• F visas cover long and short-term courses, most types of programs, and language training programs. F visas are normally valid for the duration of your program. But, once you’ve finished studying, you must leave the United States within sixty days.

• M visas cover vocational training programs. Importantly, they don’t cover language programs. But these visas also cover non-academic study, for example, an unpaid internship or placement. 
• B visas cover short courses. If, for example, you’re heading to the United States to sharpen your English-language skills for two or three weeks, then a B visa might be the way forward for you. 

Some requirements are the same for all three of these visas. First and foremost, your institution needs to be included in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The I-20 form will then need to be issued to you by your school.

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The data on this form must match the data on your identification documents. When applying, you’ll also need to pay the I-20 cost and show a receipt.

You must complete the DS-160 application form online after you have this form, the receipt, the proof of enrollment, your passport, and two passport-sized pictures on hand. That is possible right now. At the conclusion, print the completion confirmation.

This must be brought with you to the visa interview. You can schedule an interview appointment online with the American embassy or consulate that handles visa processing the closest to you. Do keep in mind that appointment wait periods can exceed a week.

You must pay the visa processing cost at the scheduled interview. Depending on your citizenship, it varies, but it’s typically close to $160. You will need to make your own arrangements to return your passport, whether or not a visa is granted to you.

It may be necessary to provide other paperwork, such as academic transcripts. Before your interview, you will be informed if this is the situation.

Keep in mind that you cannot study in any manner, shape, or form in the US while on a visitor visa or participating in the Visa Waiver Program.

Generally, prospective students will go through five stages when applying for a US student visa:

• Apply to and be accepted by a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-approved school in the US (six to twelve months before US study);
• Pay the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee;
• Complete a US student visa application along with a recent photo(s);
• Pay the visa application fee;
• Schedule and attend a visa interview.

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Summary

There you have it, we’ve dealt with all the necessary tips on getting into any college of your choice to study abroad in the USA and how to minimize costs while living there.

Also, colleges offer you scholarships, fee waivers, and some basic requirements for processing your visa to the U.S. as an international student.

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