• Cost of Living in the U.S.: Make sure you have enough funds to cover school and living expenses: tuition, housing, fees, books, supplies, travel to/from your home country, travel within the U.S., as well as personal expenses, such as clothing, meals, entertainment. and off-campus housing if applicable. You can find information on tuition and living expenses in most school brochures or use College Answer's School Search Tool.

• Federal Financial Aid: You must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen to qualify for U.S. government grants or work-study and loan programs. In a few cases; however, the U.S. government may offer some financial assistance (depending on your country of origin).
  
  For more information, check with the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country, or contact the U.S. State Department.

• School Aid: Most scholarships for foreign students are merit-based. This institutional aid maybe subject to the school's policies. Contact the schools to which you are applying for specifics. Also check with your local university in your home country to see if it is affiliated with a U.S. university or college. Often, these joint programs offer financial assistance to international students.
  
  Private Loans: Loans from U.S. financial institutions are often expensive for foreign nationals. Often a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who lives in the United States.
  
  Employment: Don't expect to finance your studies by working in the U.S. On-campus employment opportunities will usually cover minimal living expenses—not more than $2,000 to $3,000 annually. You must first apply for a Social Security Number and complete a Form I-9 before accepting on-campus employment.

  The U.S. government also has strict regulations against international students working off-campus during the first year of study and the rules are not favorable even beyond the first year. Contact the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) for permission to work off-campus.

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