University Funding Options: Choosing the best Program

As you probably already realize from the preliminary research you’ve done, tuition costs in the United States can be somewhat expensive, depending on the institution you choose. And that’s just for tuition! You also need to think about medical insurance, books and supplies, and living expenses. As you begin your search through private foundations and government funding opportunities, it is equally important that you spend a significant amount of time researching the best university to fit your needs. Your two most imperative needs are finding the right program of study and finding sources that can help you cover the costs of your education. Luckily, one will lead to the other if you do your research well.

There exist many private foundation and government funding opportunities specifically designed for European students. In reality though, this type of funding represents a small percentage of funding sources for international students. In fact, roughly 62% of the international students in the U.S. report the main source of their financial support for their studies comes from personal and family savings. So what exactly does that mean for those that simply cannot afford to cover these costs? The good news is that another 25% receive the majority of the funding from their U.S. colleges or universities, and even a higher percentage at the graduate level. The opportunities that exist within universities are competitive and can be limited depending on the field of study and type of university, but this should be your first option as a source of funding as you begin your research of institutions.

What Types of Funding Exist?
Universities have many different types of funding options, and there are many ways in which you can obtain them. The availability of these options varies between universities and departments. First you need to know what options are available and how to seek them out. Some of the more common types of funding available to international students are fellowships and assistantships.

Fellowships
Some universities, most commonly private, have the financial resources to offer scholarships to graduate students to help cover the cost of tuition and student fees, and sometimes they may be able to help cover some living expenses. Fellowships do not require anything in exchange for the financial award, only the guarantee of having an excellent student at the university. Fellowships can follow one of two different arrangements: either awarded to incoming students to cover only the first year of studies as a way to ensure their enrollment in that university, or awarded to students only after they’ve proven their academic abilities, usually covering tuition during the second year.

Assistantships
Academic departments arrange to have graduate students work with professors and administrators on research projects in exchange for financial support for their studies. The financial support usually includes a tuition waiver and living stipend, and can range from $5,000 to $30,000+ per year, depending on the program, field of study, and university. The assistantships can take various forms and usually require that the student work 10 to 20 hours a week. This is in addition to the normal coursework required for their degree program.

Research Assistantships
Some universities receive large grants from the government or private industry to conduct research in certain areas of interest. The universities apply for the grants and are chosen based on the strength of their department, research facilities, and professors/researchers. The departments in turn use part of this grant money to help fund graduate students to work directly with professors and assist them in their research. One professor from the department will typically head the research project and identify students that share similar research interests and decide who will make up his/her research team. A Research Assistant’s responsibilities may include library or laboratory research, depending on the academic area.

These positions are limited and therefore very competitive. The best way to learn more about available research assistantships is directly from the faculty members in your field of study at each university. As you explore the universities that have graduate programs in your field of study, investigate the faculty research areas and concentrate on those institutions that have research projects specific to your interests. Then, contact the professor and make sure he/she gets to know you and your academic interests. Not only will you find the program and university that best suits your academic needs, but you will also be closer to securing funding.

Teaching Assistant (TA)
At large universities with a high number of undergraduate students there is a demand for graduate students to assist in the lower level undergraduate courses. The teaching assistants spend about 20 hours a week working for professors from the same department with their classes, though they may find work in other departments as well. For example, a graduate anthropology student from Germany may assist the foreign language department with undergraduate German classes and conversation groups. In general, TAs work with professors to assist with grading papers, leading class discussions, monitoring laboratory classes, facilitating conversation groups for language studies, and occasionally having the opportunity to teach a class or possibly the entire course.

It is important to note that TAs are usually required to attend all the classes with which they are assisting, in addition to maintaining the minimum course load. The resulting time constraints limit the ability to take additional classes per term, which could in turn prolong program completion. But the teaching experience and networking among professors and departments makes up for the extra time and dedication. TA positions can also greatly enhance your professional development if you are looking into a career in academia, especially for a Ph.D. candidate. First year students are more likely to obtain a TA position, though keep in mind that a TA position during your first year could possibly lead to a Research Assistant position the following year because of the relationships you will have developed within the department and your exposure to their research projects.

Administrative Assistant (AA)
Administrative work within the various departments can help you fund your graduate studies as well. AAs usually work between classes and carry out administrative duties and staff support, such as working in the department office and reception area and providing technical support in computer laboratories. It is the student’s responsibility to inquire about these positions from the various departments within the university. AA positions can often be unrelated to your area of study and therefore do not have the same influence to your educational and professional development as Teaching Assistant or Research Assistant positions.

Residence Hall Director (RD) or Resident Advisor
The RD positions are completely unrelated to your studies, but they can provide you with another form of financial support. RDs are responsible for managing one of the residence halls on campus in exchange for free room and board. These responsibilities include being on-call for emergencies, enforcing campus rules, assisting hall residents with living needs and issues, and organizing residence hall events.

Fields of Study
The availability and type of assistantships varies greatly not only by the type of institution, but also by the field of study. For example, most of the funding for research available to universities is in engineering and the social, natural, and hard sciences (biology, chemistry, and physics). There is less funding in the arts and humanities. If you do manage to find a Research Assistant position in the humanities it will more than likely be related to an academic publication which would entail conducting research at the library and these programs tend to have a much shorter duration. TA positions are available at large public institutions for subject areas with a high number of lower division level undergraduate classes, such as English, psychology, or foreign languages. It is important to inquire as to the likelihood of the assistantship program being available for the following year so as to determine in advance if you need to look for more funding sources.

Choosing the Best Program
Students often ask: Which are the best universities? The answer is... do the research and find the best program for YOU. Through research and communications with universities you will find the best program that fits your needs. Therefore, before you start your research you must determine exactly what those needs are. Perhaps you want to find an economics program with research related to EU-U.S. cooperation. Or maybe you’re looking into the possibility of obtaining an internship at a local business during your MBA program.

There are many tools available to you for finding the best program. Visit your local Education USA Advising Center (see www.educationusa.state.gov for country-specific contact information). But communicating is the key. Get in touch with professors and tell them what your academic and research interests are. The more contact you have with the university, the department, and the professors, the better your understanding of the program they offer and the easier you’ll be able to identify the program that best fits your needs. Furthermore, the relationships you develop with professors can help you in acquiring funding to support your graduate studies.

Nichole Johnson is Coordinator of Educational Services at the Mexico Office of the Institute of International Education, and Regional Educational Advising Coordinator for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Daniel Obst is Director of Membership and Higher Education Services at the Institute of International Education (IIE) in New York. IIE is an independent, non-profit organization and one of the largest and most experienced U.S. higher education exchange agencies. IIE administers over 250 programs, including the Fulbright Program, administered on behalf of the U.S. Department of State.

Autor: www.iie.org (Heft itchy feet)