International Student Guide

In addition to gaining a quality education, studying in the U.S. can be an exciting, invigorating, and ultimately rewarding experience for international students. According to Open Doors, an initiative funded by the U.S. Department of State, 914,095 international students were enrolled in U.S. institutions during the 2020-2021 academic year. Though the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has reduced the number of international students entering the country, the U.S. still attracts individuals from all over the world looking to enroll in undergraduate and graduate programs in a range of subjects.

If you're considering studying in the U.S., this guide explains how to apply to college and provides information specific to international students on subjects like financial aid, online learning, and visas.

Applying to College in the U.S.

Applying to college in the U.S. can be quite a long and stressful process for international students. Aside from filling out application forms and meeting deadlines, they must also factor in time for visa applications, make travel arrangements, and get their financial documents in order. It can help to know which steps to follow to ensure your application process doesn't run into any unexpected difficulties.

List of Important Documents

As an international student in the U.S., you should take special care to maintain documents related to your education, identity, and ability to travel domestically and internationally. It's a good idea to make copies of the following documents and store the originals in a safe place — until you need them.

• Passport: While abroad, your passport serves as the primary document for identification. Make sure it has at least six months of validity at all times.
• Valid Visa: Your student visa stamp will most likely be located in your passport. This document will allow you to travel in and out of the U.S. while it's valid.
• I-20 or DS-2019 Forms: These documents are issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security and contain critical details such as your area of study, financial aid, and time period as an international student. They are required to apply for visas and seek entry to the country.
• I-94 Form: Also known as a record of admission, this document confirms your status as a student while in the U.S. A new I-94 is issued electronically whenever you enter the country.
• Admission Letter: An admission letter confirms that a school in the U.S. has accepted you for full-time study in a particular subject area. It may also contain information about any financial aid you received.
• Transcripts: Students in the U.S. receive transcripts for every semester. Transcripts show that you're actively enrolled and making progress toward your degree.
• Student ID: Most colleges and universities issue student IDs, which are meant to allow you access to buildings on campus, serve as identification, and, in some cases, pay for services like meal plans.
• Proof of Financial Support: This may include bank statements, financial aid documents, and any other material that shows you're able to fund your stay in the U.S.

Attending College in the U.S.

Attending college in the U.S. can offer both academic and non-academic avenues for international students to pursue. Most colleges have a diverse student population, so there are plenty of opportunities to meet individuals from different backgrounds and other parts of the world. While campus culture varies from school to school, many institutions have clubs devoted to sports or other extracurricular activities that provide opportunities to immerse yourself in college life. International students, in particular, can benefit from associations that are based on their culture and national identity.

However, moving to a foreign country can seem intimidating. Below are a few essential points about life in the U.S. that can help you settle in as an international student.

Be sure to check in with your school's international student office for more information and resources on how to navigate your time in the U.S.

Financial Aid

International students can apply for specific forms of financial aid to help pay for their education in the U.S. While they don't qualify for federal assistance in the form of grants and loans, international students can apply for funding from their college or university. In fact, many U.S. schools offer a financial aid package to learners from abroad. International students may also apply for assistance from professional organizations, though it's important to check eligibility requirements beforehand if receiving funding from private sources.

At the graduate level, international students may be able to apply for teaching and research assistantships that typically waive tuition fees and provide a small income. All forms of aid are contingent on satisfactory academic progress, so, as an international student, you should clarify the academic benchmarks you need to meet to continue receiving funding.

Top Employers for International Students

A majority of companies that hire international students are in the tech sector. Additionally, employers for these students are more likely to be large, often publicly-traded corporations that have thousands of workers rather than smaller firms. Below are the top employers in 2019 for international students in a practical training program.

Employers that hire international students also tend to be big companies that have resources to sponsor foreign workers through work visas such as the H-1B. Given this, securing a long-term job as an international student in the U.S. can be challenging. If you hope to gain work experience in the U.S. after graduating, consider applying for jobs a few months in advance of your graduation date.