financial aid for undergraduates types of financial aid know your sources for financial aid - Visa USA Expert

Financial aid for undergraduates?If you are headed to your bachelor’s degree, it’s crucial that you know the types of sources for financial aid for undergraduates.After you define your priorities and identify the factors most important to you when selecting a school and program to study, use other resources to narrow down your choices.Scholarship vs. Financial Aid?What is the difference between a scholarship and financial aid?•        A scholarship is a grant of funding, which may take the form of a waiver of tuition and/or fees. This merit-based aid is based on your achievement in a particular area; for example, outstanding academic performance, special talent in sports or performing arts, community service or leadership. Are you student athlete who wants to know more about athletic scholarships?•        Financial aid is a general term that includes all types of funding, loans, and work/study programs offered to a student to help pay tuition, fees, and living expenses. This need-based aid is based on the student’s financial need, as documented by family income, assets, and other factors.Earning $$ While StudyingCan you get a job on campus to help cover educational expenses?Current U.S. immigration regulations allow international students to work up to 20 hours per week on campus during their first year of study. On-campus jobs may include working at the cafeteria, bookstore, library or health club, or within the institution’s administrative offices.Tip: You will likely not earn enough at a campus job to pay your major expenses, such as tuition or housing. However, by working 10 to 15 hours a week you could earn enough to pay for books, clothing, and personal expenses. This income also cannot be used as a source of income for any official financial statements.After your first year of study, you can apply for employment as a resident assistant (RA) in an on-campus dormitory. An RA serves as the first point of contact for students who need assistance or have questions about campus life. In return, RAs receive free accommodation and sometimes a small salary and/or meal plan.Under current U.S. regulations, after your first year of study, you may apply for permission to work off campus for up to 20 hours a week. You should note, however, that there is no guarantee that this request will be granted.Tip: Although you will most likely be able to work  while you are in school, I do not suggest mentioning anything about working while in school while you are in your F-1 Student Visa Interview at the Consulate. To learn more about why this is not recommended and how you can prepare completely for most important interview of your life, click here to read more about my eBook on preparing and passing your F-1 Student Visa Interview.   Where Can You Find More Info on Financial Opportunities?General funding resources: IIE Finding for US Study Online | Education USA Financial Aid | InternationalScholarships.com | Scholarship HelpLoans for international students:Global Student Loan Corporation | International Student Loan.com | Access GroupUndergraduate funding:International Education Financial AidUndergraduate merit scholarships:Guaranteed Scholarships | MeritAid.comSports scholarshipsNational Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) | NCAA Clearinghouse | NCAA Eligibility Center | National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) | National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) | College Coaches Online | beRecruited Go USA!– MikeAll information presented here is from my personal research and my attempts to save you time and money when pursuing your dream of coming to the USA to study. Do not take any of this information as LEGAL advice – I am not an attorney, nor do I play one on TV. This information is gathered from a variety of sources including many U.S. Government websites and I urge you to validate this information as much as possible, just as I do when posting on this blog.