Most of the approx. 1000 Romanian students enrolled on undergrad programs in the U.S. have received a comprehensive financial aid package from their colleges and universities. Some have won a full ride (which means that the US school is paying all the academic year costs), some have been offered partial financial aid. Some went to the U.S. paying as little as $300 for a year of study that costs $47,800, some had to pay all the living expenses, that is almost $11,000.

The financial aid package commonly includes scholarship and campus employment, and possibly a loan. See below some types of financial aid available for international students who want to study in the United States:

College scholarships

Romanian students rely on this source of funding which can be offered based on merit or need.

• Merit-based scholarships are granted in form of scholarships based on outstanding academic achievements, special talents, etc. with no regard to financial need. Presidential or Dean’s scholarships are good examples. At some colleges, applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships; at other colleges, a separate application is required.

• Need-blind scholarships mean that the college doesn’t consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission. Only a limited number of colleges have this financial aid policy.

• Need-based scholarships represent awards made by colleges or universities based on demonstrated need. The amount of aid varies from one institution to another and very few institutions can offer students full financial aid packages. Note: in our experience, merit-based scholarships have proved more productive to Romanian applicants than need-based ones.

• Sports scholarships are awarded to students who have distinguished themselves in a particular sport. If you are such a gifted student athlete, you may choose to play for the college team as a means of paying for your education. Still, you must meet the university entrance requirements, and then continue to obtain satisfactory grades in order to receive and maintain your scholarship.

The scholarships can be renewed every year provided you maintain your academic standards.

Mind that:

• not all U.S. colleges award financial aid to international students.

• financial aid for international undergraduates tends to be less common at public colleges and at colleges that offer professional courses such as business administration and health professions. More financial aid is generally available from the private colleges.

• financial assistance is awarded throughout the academic year; however, students who apply for admission in the winter or spring terms will have fewer chances of securing financial aid compared with students who apply for fall admission.

• more aid is available for freshman students than for transfer students.

• funds for international students may be separate from funds for U.S. students. With over 4,000 universities, there’s great variety of patterns. Check carefully the university websites for financial aid information for international students! Some colleges provide financial assistance to citizens of specific countries; for instance Grinnell College has a special scholarship program for students from Eastern Europe!

• as an international student, you need to fill out the International Student Financial Aid Application generally available on the website of the college you are applying to. You need to answer all questions that apply to you and your family: personal information, financial information, asset information, expenses, expected support for educational expenses etc. International students normally don’t fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is meant for U.S. citizens or other eligible citizens.

Attend our group advising sessions in order to learn how to research the financial aid available for international students. Careful advance research and realistic expectations are likely to result in success.

Loans

Colleges sometimes include a study loan in the financial aid package. Generally the repay terms are convenient, so you shouldn’t worry!

In case you have been offered partial funding and need to come up with the remainder, you may like to consider loans. Loan programs for educational purposes are emerging in Romania so check the offer of Romanian banks! If you want to take a loan from a bank in the U.S., you normally need a U.S. co-signer, which is always a prohibitive requirement.

Employment

Campus employment is often part of the financial aid package offered by U.S. universities. According to U.S. immigration regulations, international students are allowed to work part-time (max. 20 hours per week) and only on campus during their first year of study.

A campus job will usually earn you approx. $2000 per year, depending on number of hours per week and type of activity. This amount allows you to pay for some personal expenses (like books and clothing). It’s obvious that you cannot pay your major expenses, such as tuition or room and board.

Campus jobs are commonly offered in the university bookstore, library, cafeteria, administrative offices, etc.

Other awards

Very little aid exists through private sponsors or foundations.

As a result, most Romanian students prefer to attract funding from U.S. colleges and universities.