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Since the cost of higher education in the United States is increasing exponentially annually, many international students feel that their family is unable to support their education in the U.S.  Facing the fact that most of the funding and financial aid in U.S. colleges is only open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents, international students are reluctant to apply to U.S. colleges and universities.  

To help make education in U.S. more affordable, this guide introduces some funding sources available to international students.

Several Cornish departments award merit scholarships and international students are eligible to apply!

Contact your Department Coordinator for more information: 

Art, Design Film & Media: 206-726-5141

Different types of funding.

1) Scholarship: This is free money that can be used to pay tuition and living expenses. A grant or payment made to support a student's education, awarded on the basis of academic or other achievement.

2) Grant: A sum of money given by an organization, especially a government, for a particular purpose, frequently for research purposes.

3) Fundraising: online tuition fundraising is another possible tool to garner funding. Tell your story and dreams to others. People will help you.

4) Student Loans: This is money you have to pay back after graduation and please be aware, you need to pay the interest too.

Even though various types of funding exist, there are very few resources available for international students. For example, the chance for international students to obtain grants is low, especially for new coming students as their English is limited. Scholarships and student loans are the main source of funding that  international students can expect.

The first place to look for scholarships are at your school. The school would be most likely subsidize you as you are their students. If the school cannot fund you, the next place you can go is to the international student scholarship database list (below), where you can find the scholarships or awards offered by professional organizations or educational nonprofit organizations. A number of outside scholarships are listed on this guide. Check them out and see if you can apply.

If that doesn't work, go to the fundraising online websites. They provide a platform where you can fundraise your tuition fees. I would strongly recommend this method, because all scholarships are designed to achieve other organization's goal. However, only fundraising your tuition fee can help you achieve your own educational goal. You can ask for exactely the amount of money that you need.

Student loans should be your last option due to their interest rates.  International students are not eligible for American federal student loans but they can borrow money from private lenders. Please look at the international student scholarship databases on this guide as they have student loan information.