Academic scholarships at universities and education centers in the United States

What types of scholarships are there in the United States?

There are two kinds of college and university scholarships: academic scholarships and athletic scholarships.

Academic scholarships are awarded to students with a strong academic record. The better your grades in high school, the higher your chances of being awarded a scholarship with a better financial package.

Some colleges may even award scholarships that cover up to 100% of the tuition fees. So if you are an excellent student, you have a better chance of getting a full scholarship.

Athletic scholarships are for students with high level sports performance or students who are elite athletes. High-level athletes are highly sought-after by American coaches who are looking for young foreigners to strengthen their teams.

Applicants who are in good academic standing and meet the required athletic profile are the best candidates for a full scholarship.

How much does a public university cost in the United States?

Studying in the US is not cheap. However, the benefits of studying and earning a degree in the US make it worth every effort.

If you want to pay your own way, you should expect to spend between $13,000 and $65,000 per year. It all depends on the university you choose and the lifestyle you lead once you are there.

These expenses are divided into the following areas: tuition (which costs between $5,000 and $50,000 per year) and personal expenses (which vary between $8,000 and $15,000 per year). Remember that in addition to tuition, you must also pay for transportation, food, books, clothing, accommodation and other expenses.

Keep in mind that a university degree will take up to four years, so your annual budget must be multiplied by 4. This is the main reason why many students must opt for scholarships, grants and bursaries.

How much does a semester at a university in the United States cost?

The cost of tuition per semester is usually a bit cheaper. However, other significant costs such as visa paperwork, lease renewals and more frequent travel can increase your expenditure to between $12,000 and $18,000. Faced with these expenses, many prefer to opt for yearly plans.

How can I study at a university in the United States?

Each university in the United States has its own admissions system, requirements and calendars. This information is available on the university’s website or can be requested by email.

Don’t wait until you’re a senior in high school: you need to start planning much earlier. Keep in mind that you will need to get good grades and work hard in your extracurricular activities from the very beginning of your high school career. Moreover, you will have to develop a talent or excel in your chosen sport.

The first step to studying in the United States is to choose a university where you would like to study. Then, find out what the entrance requirements are so you can get started as soon as possible.

It is a good idea to find a mentor or agency to guide you through the application process (enrollment requirements, documentation etc.). Also, you will need to start studying English: the better your language level, the more prepared you will be for admission.

What is the average GPA required to get a scholarship?

The GPA required by each college is different and some are more demanding than others. However, in order to be eligible for a scholarship, your GPA must not be lower than 3.0 (B).

What can you do if your grades aren’t that high?

Talk to your tutor, check with your high school to find out how to get extra credit to raise your GPA. In some cases, it is possible to retake exams in subjects with a low GPA.

Which universities have academic and athletic scholarships?

In the United States there are thousands of universities that offer scholarships and special programs for foreigners. These are the most popular universities among applicants from other countries:

1. Amherst College.
2. Colby College.
3. Gettysburg College.
4. Skidmore College.
5. Trinity College.
6. Boston University.
7. University of California.
8. University of Chicago.
9. Columbia University.
10. University of Illinois.
11. New York University.
12. Purdue University.
13. University of Washington.
14. Yale University.
15. University of Southern California.
16. Arizona State University.
17. Michigan State University.
18. Northeastern University.
19. Wesleyan University.
20. Vassar College.
21. Williams College.

These are just a few. Do advanced searches based on your academic interests and you will find hundreds of interesting options.

What accommodation options are there?

As a student in the United States you have different types of accommodation, either on or off campus.

Most universities have boarding school-style student housing. This type of residence consists of rooms that are usually shared with another student and furnished with 2 beds, a wardrobe, a desk and a chair. This type of accommodation is preferred by new students, as it allows them to adapt to university life more easily.

Private apartments are also available on or near campus.

Off campus you can choose to rent individual or shared rooms or apartments.

Living with a host family is also an option and offers students an excellent opportunity to learn more about American culture in a home environment.

Finally, although not so common, some families own property in the United States and their children live there for the duration of the degree program.

How are host families selected?

Host families are subject to a rigorous review process before being chosen to host a foreign student. Without exception, they must conform to the standards set by the State Department and the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) to ensure the safety of the student and protect the host family.

To become a homestay host, families must complete the following steps in the application process:

Submit a dossier with relevant family information, including any criminal record(s).
Submit references for interviews.
Physical inspection of the house: general conditions, hygiene, available spaces versus number of occupants, location, surroundings, neighbors, etc.
Individual interview of each person living in the home.
Observation of daily dynamics.
Analysis of the family’s financial situation. It is important that the family is financially solvent enough to receive an additional member.
Analysis of family values, beliefs and principles.

What degree programs can I study in the United States?

There are almost 150 majors to choose from in the undergraduate programs alone. Here they organized by study area:

Business and Administration: 12 majors

• Transport and Logistics.
• Marketing.
• Quality Management.
• Management.
• Human Resources Management.
• Office Management.
• Finance.
• Entrepreneurship.
• Accounting.
• Commerce.
• E-commerce.
• Business Administration.

Agriculture and Veterinary Science: 5 majors

• Veterinary Medicine.
• Horticulture.
• Plant Cultivation.
• Agriculture.
• Agribusiness Management

Architecture and Construction: 7 majors

• Town planning.
• Topography.
• Maintenance Services.
• Planning.
• Property Management.
• Construction.
• Architecture.

Art and Design: 11 majors

• Theater and Drama.
• Music.
• Fashion and Design.
• Industrial Design.
• Graphic Design.
• Interior Design.
• Creative Design.
• Dance.
• Handicrafts.
• Art.
• Art Administration.

Health Sciences and Medicine: 15 majors

• Public Health.
• Complementary Health.
• Psychology.
• Midwifery.
• Ophthalmology.
• Dentistry.
• Nutrition and Health.
• Health and Safety.
• Medicine.
• Physiotherapy.
• Physiology.
• Pharmacology.
• Nursing.
• Counseling.
• Health Sciences.

Pure and applied sciences: 15 majors

• Food Science and Technology.
• Chemistry.
• Mathematics.
• Geography.
• Physics.
• Forensic Science.
• Sports Science.
• Life Sciences.
• Earth Sciences.
• Basic Sciences.
• Environmental Sciences.
• Materials Science.
• Biomedicine.
• Biology.
• Astronomy.

Social Sciences: 18 majors

• Social Work.
• Sociology.
• International Relations.
• Politics.
• Journalism.
• Media.
• Linguistics.
• Languages.
• Environmental Management.
• Human Geography.
• Photography.
• Library Studies.
• Economy.
• International Cooperation.
• Film and Television.
• Social Sciences.
• Anthropology.
• Public Administration.

Personal care and beauty: 5 majors

• Beauty Therapy.
• Therapeutics.
• Health and Fitness.
• Hairdressing.
• Massage.

Law: 6 majors

• Legal Studies.
• Public Law.
• Criminal Law.
• International Law.
• Civil Law.
• Legal Consultancy.

Education: 13 majors

• Educational Psychology.
• Pedagogy.
• Professional Orientation.
• Educational Research.
• Educational Management.
• Teacher Training.
• Specialized Education.
• Adult Education.
• Special Education.
• School Education.
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• Coaching.
• Education and Learning.

Humanities: 12 majors

• Literature.
• Languages.
• History.
• Philosophy.
• General Studies.
• Regional Studies.
• Museum Studies.
• English Studies.
• Cultural Studies.
• Religious Studies.
• Art and Classical Studies.
• Archaeology.

Engineering: 18 majors

• Telecommunications.
• Mining, Oil and Gas.
• Metallurgical Engineering
• Manufacturing and Production.
• Engineering and Technology.
• Chemical and Materials Engineering.
• Naval Engineering.
• Mechanical Engineering.
• Structural Engineering.
• Energy Engineering.
• Electronic Engineering.
• Electrical Engineering.
• Civil Engineering.
• Biomedical Engineering.
• Automotive Engineering.
• Environmental Engineering.
• Aerospace Engineering.
• Quality Control.

Information and Communication Technology: 5 majors

• Information Technology.
• Software.
• Multimedia.
• Computer Science.
• Computers.

Hospitality and Tourism: 7 majors

• Travel and Tourism.
• Food Technology.
• Catering.
• Sports Management.
• Catering.
• Aviation.
• Hotel Management.

Can I choose the city I want to go to or the university?

Yes, definitely. Obviously, you need to know what you want to study. Then, you have to research which universities offer your degree.

From there you should evaluate aspects such as location, services, if they offer academic scholarships or scholarships for your chosen sport (in case you are opting for an athletic scholarship), tuition fees and the percentage covered by the scholarship, as well as the admission system for international students.

On the other hand, it is important to look for information about living costs in different cities. From one city to another, the difference in rent and services costs can be significant.

What does the scholarship acceptance process entail?

The scholarship application process in the United States varies from university to university. However, some requirements are standard. That is, they are the same and mandatory regardless of the university you choose.

The first requirement is to have successfully completed your high school studies. You will have a better chance if you have not repeated any of your school years. In addition, your academic record must be impeccable. Students with the best academic records have much higher chances of receiving a scholarship, since the lists of candidates are organized in order of academic performance.

Secondly, it is essential to take college admissions tests. The SAT is a math and reading comprehension test given in English. The TOEFL is an English level test for non-native applicants. You should research the test dates carefully as the SAT is usually held four times per academic year.

Finally, you must collect, complete and submit the application forms for admission to the university of your choice.

Those are the basic procedures. It is important to check the university’s website to check what other steps you need to take, as well as all the important dates of the process.

What level of English do I need to study in the United States?

In order for a foreigner to be admitted to any university in the United States, the minimum certified English level must be B1. This requirement is not only necessary to obtain a place, but also to apply for the corresponding visa.

However, if you want to do well from the start, you should aim for at least B1+ or B2 level.

Students with a B1 level can read with some difficulty, but they will not be able to write anything without help, nor will they be able to participate in meetings, seminars and face-to-face classes because they will not be able to understand what is being said. In addition, they will not be able to have fluent conversations on the phone. Generally speaking, they will only be able to communicate with extremely understanding and patient speakers.

Students with a B1+ level can read fairly well, write simple papers and understand half of what is said in meetings. They are able to converse with someone who speaks at a slow pace.

Students at B2 level can read without difficulty, can present work in their area of study without going into too much detail, can follow meetings and seminars with visual aids, use the telephone, go out on their own, and ask for help when necessary.

When should I get started on the application process?

We recommend at least 18 months in advance. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.