Wednesday, April 21, 2010

The biggest obstacle for students planning to go to the US: Fear of expense.

Anyone who wishes to pursue higher education in the US can do so without apprehension. Scholarships, fellowships, students’ loans from universities and governments are available for those who care to look.

Today, find details on funding options provided by Stanford University (in the following days find more information on funding options provided by Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Columbia University, Stanford University.

For students around the world, US is a land of education with world-class facilities. The quality of education, the facilities, the career opportunities are making every graduate to make their moves towards this land of education. Studying in US is the wish of many hearts, but is the gift for only some Grey cells. The reasons for this are many. The most important issue that hampers the students to go for the US is the expenses. There is not a flea's breath of doubt to say that the study in US would cost the students an earth!
Finances are a concern for most graduate students and their families. The outnumbering fears of expenses would make some even nip the budding wishes. But for now, anyone who wishes to pursue his/her higher education in the US can do so without any apprehension. The announcement of scholarships, fellowships, students’ loans etc., from the universities and the respective governments sounded the death knell to all the dubious thoughts of students and their families about the education in US. Now, it is no more the goblet of an elite; it is the earthen pot of every commoner.

Each and every university is striving hard to attract as many international students as possible by announcing various funding options. There is no denying that graduate education at some of the top 10 universities in the US like Harvard University, Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Columbia University is difficult. Nevertheless, these universities have come up with different funding options that are flexible to the student community.


Stanford University will be one among the priority list of the students to select the universities. Established by Leland and Jane Stanford in 1891 to “promote the public welfare by exercising an influence on behalf of humanity and civilization”, Stanford continues to remain dedicated to finding solutions of the day and to preparing the students for leadership in today’s complex world. Every year, Stanford contributes to creating history with over 8,000 students pursuing degrees in more than 65 departments and programs.

Funding at Stanford In Stanford, financial assistance varies considerably from departments, schools, and programs. Some of the important considerations in awarding of graduate financial support are academic record and the availability of funds. Usually, in Stanford, Master's students do not receive funding. Most fund the tuition expenses through loans or savings. Fellowships and assistantships are rarely given to students enrolled in master's programs.

Professional students (J.D, M.B.A., M.D.) often rely on loans. Financial aid for professional programs is managed through the financial aid offices of the law, business, and medical schools. Upon admission to a doctoral program, students are usually offered a funding package that includes tuition and a stipend for living expenses for four to five years. This package may also include support through assistantships for part of the program.

Types of Funding : Students usually combine a variety of sources of funding over their time in graduate school.
• Research and teaching assistantships (work on campus that is directly related to students' academic progress)
• University or departmental fellowships
• External financial support awarded to students directly by foundations or government agencies (most requiring that students apply directly)
• Jobs on or off campus unrelated to students' academic work
• Loans

For further information on funding refer to:
http://vpge.stanford.edu/funding/
http://vpge.stanford.edu/funding/basics.html
http://vpge.stanford.edu/funding/vpgefellowships.html http://vpge.stanford.edu/funding/project.html
http://vpge.stanford.edu/funding/other.html
http://vpge.stanford.edu/funding/sources.html

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