Colleen Grover
Director of International Initiatives at Husson
University
Great to see advice for international students regarding
colleges in the U S, but be sure that international students know that
financial considerations are not as simple as just looking for scholarships and
getting a job. When advising international students, it is important and fair
that we give accurate information about financial considerations as they relate
to their F-1 visas and SEVIS requirements. Many colleges and universities do
not have scholarships for international students because the students are not
eligible for US government funds. That also means they are not eligible for
federal work study programs. In addition, before students are even eligible to
receive their visas, they must demonstrate that they have enough funds for at
least their first year of college. That is a tough requirement and can be very
discouraging to students if they don't know about this in advance. Finally,
students in the US on F-1 visas have a limited number of hours a week they may
work (20), and without filing a special hardship waiver, they must work on
campus.
It is frustrating for me to have to tell students all of this, and it is disheartening for them as well,but critical that they know what they will be facing so that they can be best prepared.
It is frustrating for me to have to tell students all of this, and it is disheartening for them as well,but critical that they know what they will be facing so that they can be best prepared.
