As the costs of higher education continue to rise, more and more students are looking for financial aid when attending university in the US.
There are a range of sources from which financial aid is available and it is a good idea to research your options.
Universities
Many universities in the US provide funding in the form of grants and scholarships.
This can be Merit Based - based on your academic or extra curricular achievements or Need Based funding - based on your family income and other considerations.
It is recommended that you speak to the US College to which you are applying, to discuss your options for financial aid.
Sports Scholarships
American Colleges and Universities value their sports teams and many US colleges and universities offer sports scholarships to students who perform well in a particular sport and are academically able. When taking an athletic scholarship you are able to undertake any undergraduate degree at the institution.
Other Funding Bodies are also an option for someone looking for financial aid to go to a US university. These can range from government bodies to charitable organizations offering grants and scholarships. The criteria to receive financial aid will vary from organization to organization. For instance, some may award scholarships to individuals with a particular talent whereas others would be looking for applicants with an interest in a particular field that they support.
If you’re interested in applying for a scholarship through an organization you may want to look at some of the following websites:
www.student-scholarships.com
www.firstpointusa.com
www.fundingusstudy.org
Loans
You cannot use a UK student loan to fund your studies in the US. Using a personal loan to put towards your education may be an option. The availability of US loans is limited to students from outside the US.
To learn more about the different kinds of financial aid available see: