Let’s get you acquainted with American education system:

American colleges and universities are widely known for their teaching and research and the education system is the most adaptable and versatile for international students.

There are over 4,500 universities and colleges in the USA, offering 10 times the number of tertiary-level study opportunities than any other country, making it much easier to follow your career aspirations with so many options to choose from.

The higher education system in the USA is quite different from other countries' education systems. It consists of four levels, i.e., Associate Degrees, Bachelor Degrees, Master Degrees, Doctoral degrees.

• → An Associate Degree is a two-year course that counted as the first two years of a Bachelor degree.
• → A Bachelor Degree is a more academic-oriented course than an associate degree; its duration is 3-4 years.
• → A Master Degree is job oriented and has a detailed study of the particular subject, and the course duration is 1-4 years.
• → A Doctoral Degree takes 5-8 years and is strictly research based under supervision.

A huge number of international students choose USA each year as their study destination, owing to its welcoming environment.

Academic excellence, experienced faculties, globally recognised qualifications, brilliant teaching approach and abundant research opportunities, the education system of USA will give you an exposure like never before. Learning here comes with an international outlook that prepares students for employment across the globe.

Rest assured, with a great education system in place, you can live, study and experience a culture with plenty of tourist attractions and well-equipped transportation facilities.

Intakes to Study in USA:

There are two prominent intakes in the USA, i.e. Fall and Spring.

• → The fall intake begins in August; most of the courses are available and the most preferred intake among the international students.
• → Spring or Winter Intake starts in January, and it provides a few courses.

However, Universities in USA also have summer intakes, but it is limited to specific courses.

Education system in the USA is known for its high standards and quality, though it’s expensive but it’s worth it. Your expenditure on tuition fee depends on the type of qualification and university or school you opt for. Courses in medicine and engineering are likely to be more expensive. As with most other countries, MBA programs are often the most expensive. Most people consider studying in the US pricey, however, effective budgeting can help you better manage your expenses. Keep in mind - it’s not just the tuition fee alone you should be calculating to get your estimations.

The Universities in the United States are dived into Public/State and Private Universities. The education cost in public universities is comparatively less than the private universities. The education expense also depends on the type course, qualification and university opted, tuition fee will range approximately around $6,000 to $55,000 (USD) annually.

• → English language studies: $700 to $2000* a month.
• → Community colleges Courses: $6000 to $20,000* per year.
• → Undergraduate bachelor degree: $20,000 to $40,000* per year .
• → Graduate programs: $20,000 to $45,000* per year
• → Doctoral degree: $28,000 to $55,000* per year

* Please note all fee figures are indicative

Students have various accommodation options in USA. The living cost in the USA differs from city to city. Choosing on campus accommodation will be affordable for international students.

If you want to bring down your educational expenses, it is best to apply to various scholarships available for international students.

Education in the United States is expensive and many international students seek scholarships to manage their overall budgets. Scholarships are primarily based on academic ability and merit. American universities and colleges provide a wide range of scholarships to meritorious international students to help them fund their studies. Apart from this, many scholarships, grants and bursaries are also offered by the American government, public and private establishments.

Also American universities and colleges offer scholarships and awards to international students who achieve exceptional results. The amount and type of award varies from one university or college to another. It’s important to know that competition for scholarships is very fierce.

There are two types of scholarship. (Merit based and Need Based):

• → Full: Full scholarships pay student’s entire expense tuition fee, accommodation, and stationary.
• → Partial: This scholarship partially funds the student, i.e. it only pays tuition fees.

These scholarships are specifically designed to ease some of the burden for high-achieving and disadvantaged students, so you can concentrate on achieving the best possible results without being concerned about money.

International students going to the USA on F1 visa are not mandated by the government to have a health cover. However, the school you are enrolling in would mostly mandate it. In rare cases, even if your school doesn’t require you to have insurance, it is still recommended you purchase one.

Healthcare is a rather expensive affair in the USA. Without insurance, unfortunately, if you fall sick, you will incur a huge cost on treatment. Unless you are covered by the insurance of your spouse’s employer or a similar arrangement, consider purchasing a good plan based on your health and your activities.

Why need Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC):

OSHC is one of the prerequisites to apply for the student visa. It is one of the documents you enclose while applying for the student visa. Apart from the fact it is mandatory, OSHC is very beneficial as it covers a wide range of medical expenses. When you complete your application, you will be asked to provide proof of payment as well as confirmation that your OSHC coverage begins when you arrive in USA.

If you hold an F-1 Visa, you are allowed to work in the United States when authorised by a designated school official, but only under certain conditions and in accordance with complex guidelines and restrictions issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. There are several categories of employment available as an F-1 student in U.S. On-campus employment is the most freely available, while off-campus employment must be related to your area of study and be authorised by the Designated School Official.

In order to work in the US, you need a Social Security number (SSN). However, you can still apply for jobs without an SSN and use the job offer to get a SSN after you are hired. A student visa generally allows 20 hours of work in a week. However, check the inclusions on your visa before you start working.

Post Study Work Permit (PSW) in USA

• → F1 Visa
• → M1 Visa
• → J1 Visa

International students holding F1 visa can stay for 1 year after completion of studies and go for temporary employment directly. F1 visa holders can also apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT).