American Universities welcome international students who have met their selection criteria. American Universities are definitely melting pots of diverse cultures, with the spectrum spread over more than 60 countries. At present there are almost 6,00,000 international students studying in different universities in U.S apart from about 50,000 Indian students. American degrees are highly regarded world over and give a cutting edge advantage to an individual while applying for a job.

Careful long- and short-term planning is necessary to ensure that you will have a rewarding educational experience in the United States. If you are realistic about your financial needs, you will be better able to enjoy the exciting academic and cultural experience of living and learning in the United States.

COST OF STUDY

The total annual expenses i.e. fees, books, boarding and lodging will vary from $15,000 to $40,000 (Rs.6 to 20 lakhs) depending upon the universities. Majority of GEC students are placed in government supported universities that provide quality education, where the tuition fees are very nominal and applicants have high prospects of getting financial aids like tuition fee waivers, research/teaching/graduate assistantships.

Most of the students get to U.S with just enough money to last a semester i.e. about $10000 (5 lakhs) in hand. In addition there is financial support available in the form of assistant ships (both research and teaching), tuition waivers and it is possible to work on campus.

Having a bank account will be convenient to money transactions. Many college students appreciate the convenience of a MAC (Money Access Card) or ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) card. If you have an ATM card from a bank in your home country, ask whether the U.S. bank will honor it; some Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) cross national borders, while others do not. Credit cards and Debit cards are convenient payment options. They help to maintain good financial records and also serve to remind you of the money you spend.

ELIGIBILITY

US Universities normally do not accept 3 years’ Bachelors degree in India like BA, B.Sc B.Com for admission to their masters programs. Sixteen years of formal education or a four years’ Bachelors degree or Masters (MA/M.Com/MSC) with god grades (high first class or above) are the basic requirements for admission to MS programs in most US Universities. Apart from TOEFL, students are also required to clear competitive exams like GRE/GMAT to secure admission and financial aid in good US Universities and secure visa without hassles

VISA

There are several immigrant and non-immigrant visa options at USA and one has to choose the one that is applicable according to the requirements. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the end of your intended stay in the US.

Immigration regulations are very strict with respect to working while carrying a student visa. F-1 status, which is the most common status for full-time international students, allows for part time, on-campus employment (fewer than 20 hours per week.) J-1 student status allows for similar employment, with similar restrictions, as long as permission is given by the exchange visitor program sponsor. M-1 visa holders for technical and vocational programs are not permitted to work during the course of their studies.

To get the F-1 visa approved, the student will need to show that he/she has sufficient funds to pay for the first year of study and that you have resources available to cover the rest of your educational program. For an M-1 or J-1 visa, you will need to convince the authorities that you have sufficient funds to pay for all tuition and living costs for your complete stay in the US.