USA - Cost , Financial Aid & Visa

COST, FINANCIAL AID AND VISA

COST OF STUDYING

Fees
Application fee - Cost of application fee may range from $30 to $80 for each institution. This fee is generally not refunded.

Test fees - Academic standardized tests and English proficiency tests cost from $80 to $120 and travel to test centres is additional.You can find the full list of fees on the College Board website for SAT Reasoning & Subject Tests.

The cost of studying varies from one institution to the other and so does the cost of living and housing.
Cost of study includes tuition costs, fees for university services, books and study materials. Tuition may range from $15,000 - $45,000. Community colleges and technical training institutes are cheaper than other universities. Universities services fee may fall between $150 to $650. Laboratory charges, where incurred, are additional. Books and study materials may cost $600 or more.

FINANCIAL AID
Financial aid is help for meeting costs for education i.e., tuition, living etc. as well as for personal requirements. Those keen on availing financial aid must indicate this when they apply for admission. Applying for admission is not the same as applying for financial aid. There are forms called financial aid forms which have to be filled up and submitted separately to the institution and the State. Generally there are separate forms for scholarships and grants. The college financial aid office gives instructions about these.

Who are likely to get financial aid:
Scholarship at the undergraduate level is both limited and very competitive. Study of Music and Athletics could be exceptions. However, students with a brilliant academic or co curricular profile too stand very good chance of netting the award.
The most eligible students must have good academic focus, brilliant SAT score (1400 or more), and TOEFL score of 600 to apply to schools with demanding admission standards. Their personal statement should bear adequate proof of their maturity in decision making.
Application for financial assistance does not prejudice admission to a school.

Scholarship for sports people, performing artists
Sports persons may study in schools where there exists a team in their sport or performing art. Scholarship applications to these schools must be supported by reference letters and certificates of performance.

Low cost colleges
If you have a limited budget you may apply to low cost colleges.

SOURCES OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
International students may seek financial aid from the following sources:

• USA colleges and universities
• USA foundations and private bodies
• USA Government and binational agencies
• International funding organizations
• Own government or private organization, banks
• Universities/Colleges - Financial assistance for undergraduates comes in the form of: Scholarships, Grants, Tuition waivers (full or partial), Part time job on campus.

For graduates financial assistance is given through grants of teaching/research assistantship.
Scholarships are disbursed when an applicant displays brilliant academic credentials, promise and talent, and a perfect match for the position. Grants are need-based while tuition waivers are decided on need and merit. Loans are given in emergency situations when a student runs out of funds and deserves to stay on in USA for studies.
Some institutions provide assistance to international students by allowing them to work on campus for upto 15 hours a week so that they can get some of their fees waived off. Students cannot seek employment out of campus. Graduates are granted financial assistance through teaching or research assistantship. Teaching assistantship involves lecturing, grading papers, overseeing class work while research assistants help on research projects. The amount varies from a fraction of the cost to full costs.

USA government and binational agencies
USA Government in association with the Indian government or Indo-American Joint Commissions offers some scholarships. An example is the Fulbright Scholarship which is an exchange program for graduate, doctoral or professional experience. Fulbright scholarships are awarded to approximately 4,700 graduate students worldwide each year. Applicants are required to take the TOEFL and GRE or GMAT exams. Professional education, such as medical studies, is not covered. Fulbright students are required to be on J-1 visas for the duration of their sponsorship. For information about applying to the Fulbright Program, contact the US embassy or consulate, Fulbright Commission office, or educational advising center. The US Information Agency maintains information about studying in the US, the Fulbright program, and the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, in the Educational and Cultural Exchange section of their website, including Fulbright Commission contact information for most countries. For more information write to:

United States Information Agency, Office of Public Liaison, 301 4th Street, SW, Room 602, Washington, DC 20547, or send email to inquiry@usia.gov.

There is an agency for international development which sponsors education and training in areas of development - The Institute of International Education offers government/privately sponsored scholarships. These scholarships are advertised and selections are made through competitions. You could also write to the:

Agency for International Development, Office of International Training, Washington, DC 20523 or from Federal Student Aid Information Centre PO Box 84, Washington DC 200044-0084

International organizations
Professional bodies, organizations for the promotion of international understanding or societies for research and study of specific subjects offer scholarships. Direct applications are invited. UN organization calls for nominations through the Indian government. There are other organizations too which ask the local government to nominate candidates for study abroad.
Some international organizations offer funding for graduate students to study in the US. These include the United Nations, the Organization of American States (OAS), AMIDEAST, the International Maritime Organization, the International Telecommunications Union, the League of Red Cross Societies, the Soros Foundation, the World Health Organization, and the World Council of Churches. These awards are extremely competitive.

Indian government/Private scholarships
Charitable foundations, business houses, banks, Indian universities are increasingly sponsoring students for study abroad, e.g., the Inlak scholarship, is such an example. These are advertised in leading newspapers.

Aid from private US organizations and sponsors
There is very little financial aid for international students available from private sources, such as foundations and individual sponsors.
To discover what is available, search some of the free scholarship and fellowship databases listed on the FinAid site. The FastWeb database, in particular, has good coverage of the awards available for international students. See also the list of scholarship and fellowship databases. (Be aware that fee-based scholarship matching services often do not have any listings of awards for international students. Most awards listed in these databases are restricted to US citizens and permanent residents. The databases may claim otherwise, but that's often because they find it easy to exploit international students. Don't waste your money.

Assistance from your family
According to NAFSA (Association of International Educators); more than two-thirds of international students in the US finance their education using their own resources and the resources of their family. You are most likely going to have to rely on your own assets, your parent's money, and contributions from relatives.

APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID
The request for financial aid has to be made by filling up the required forms. Applicants for federal student aid have to fill the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). College and private scholarship programs need the Financial Aid Form (FAF) to be completed for disbursement of the student aid funds (non-federal). Some colleges and private scholarship programs have their own forms which too have to be completed. In all these forms information has to be provided about you, your family and financial resources.
Graduate students can get more aid from the department by presenting some proof which demonstrates outstanding capabilities often displayed through published work. Part time work experience and letters of reference giving evidence of your capability will get you assistantships.
People applying for offbeat subjects have better chances of getting financial assistance.

Financial assistance for graduate studies
Graduate studies in USA find a more liberal approach in terms of grant in financial aid. Such assistance is given by offering teaching and research assistantships to applicants for graduate courses. Awards may, however, be partial or full. Need, academic record and potential for achievement in the chosen field of study are key factors. Standard admission test scores like GRE/GMAT/TOEFL are required from applicants as well as the grades of the first degree. Sometimes awards are granted only in the second year. Awards available to graduate applicants are as follows:

Fellowships - Fellowships are granted to students of almost all departments. Fellowship stipends vary with the type of award.
University Fellowships provide for tuition fee waivers or offer an assistantship along with a fellowship stipend. Departments award fellowships on the basis of academic merit normally after the first year of study.

Assistantships - Teaching, research and laboratory assistantships carry a salary for half the academic year. Tuition fee is exempted for assistantship appointees from as little as $500 to as much as $18000 or more for one academic year. While applying for assistantship position, it is advisable to emphasize previous research or teaching experience. Since there are many qualified applicants it may be useful to project your experience. This is in fact the most common type of financial assistance at the graduate level. Cash awards in exchange of services related to education (20 hours per week) are disbursed. The following types of assistantships are available:

Teaching assistantships - These are available in the 1st year of graduate study particularly in departments where a very large number of undergraduates are enrolled. The work teaching assistants do are (a) supervise undergraduate laboratory work, (b) teach small classes, (c) lead discussion groups. These activities should take up 20 hours of work in a week. The requirements for getting a teaching assistantship are a TSE score and some experience.

Research assistantships - Research work for 20 hours a week is expected from research assistants. Institutions conducting research work in your area of study and interest would be the best to be approached. If you apply to institutions whose research funding matches your interests you will be offered a position particularly if you have some research experience.

Administrative assistantships - Working in an administrative office for 20 hours a week is what an administrative assistant does, e.g., in the international student advising section. These are granted by the graduate admissions office. For any of these positions an international applicant competes with US applicants. Financial need but primarily academic merit and previous experience are the main criteria. Each award is renewed on an annual basis and depends largely on performance.
If you do not get any assistantship before you leave for the US, you can still have to catch one once you get there or at least at the beginning of the next semester.

Current trends in graduate financial aid
Though amount of aid may have increased but the costs too have risen sharply. In the last few years there has been some increase in financial aid. Most allocations have been made for physical and biological sciences and few for social science and other professional schools. Most financial assistance is disbursed for doctoral work.
You must write to the department directly as funds vary each year from one department to the other. When in a given year assistance is not available you may reapply in the following year.

Guidelines for international graduate applicants - The applicants while applying for financial aid should keep in mind the following tips:

• Applications must be clear and neatly presented with all documents well on time.
• Good letters of recommendation highlighting professional/academic promise and genuine interest are valuable.
• Apply to some famous departments but have other choices too. International applicant may get better financial assistance from a lesser prominent institution than from one of the most competitive.
• Merit based awards are given on academic merit.
• Financial assistance is never given to support family or dependents.

When should you apply?

For most types of aid, you should start the application process in late winter or early spring preceding the fall term for which you are requesting help. Generally the financial aid form must go four weeks before the earliest deadline. Some private scholarships have earlier deadlines than colleges and government programs. It is unwise to wait until you have found out whether you are admitted to a college before you apply for financial assistance. This is so because colleges inform applicants about financial aid before expecting any response to their offer of admission. If you have expressed need for financial aid, the colleges would just inform you about what you could get. Secondly financial aid and grants are disbursed soon after offers have been made.

Financial certification
Since financial assistance is not available to all international students it is obligatory for applicants to provide financial certification. This is a guarantee that a student can pay for his study in USA. It is a guarantee from the person who is going to take responsibility for the expenses. This is a finance resources certification. Other financial documents required by universities are a bank statements or a letter from the sponsoring agency or a copy of the award assigned to the applicant by the university department.

VISA
Many students find the process for getting a visa quite exasperating. The regulations governing the entrance of all international students are structured and are implemented firmly with an I-20 form issued by a university a student visa F-1 or M-1 category is issued. F-1 is for a full time study while M-1 is granted to students enrolled with technical schools where they need 6 months practical training. M-1 visa cannot be changed to F-1 visa. F-1 visa allows a student to stay for one year after completing studies for practical training. With an IAP-66 a J-1 exchange visitor’s visa is granted to those who go for training, teaching, consultation or research.
The visa officer at the consulate will check all your documents and your passport and would assess whether you are likely to return after studies are over. If convinced for the same, visa will be granted and your passport stamped.

The F-1 student visa
The F-1 student visa can be applied for with the presentation of Form I-20 which is a certificate of eligibility for non-immigrant F-1 student status. The F-1 or I-20, however, does not give guarantee that a visa will be granted!! The I-20 form will require endorsement by you for statements such as given below:

• Your purpose is to temporarily remain in USA for a full course of study at the university specified in I-20 form
• You will not be working or engage in business without being granted permission from immigration and naturalization service
• You are capable of financing your study and stay

The F-1 visa on the passport will indicate the college which has issued the I-20.

J-1 exchange visitor visa
1AP-66 is a certificate of eligibility for exchange visitor J-1 Status.
1AP-66 is issued for programs approved by the USA Information Agency and sponsored by a private organization or government agency. For a J-1 visa you have to agree to remain in the USA for the duration of the course you have been granted admission. You would have to limit your activities to those pertaining to the program given in the Form 1AP-66. The financial support has to be assumed and USA Immigration and Naturalization Service have to be informed if there is a change in the sponsor or in the exchange visitor program.

UK - Costs, Financial Aid and Visa for Studying in UK

COSTS

The major areas of expenditure for international students are tuition and living costs. Since costs have to be borne for 3-4 years, you should have a clear idea of expenditure involved and resources. It is not very common in the UK to find students who can work their way through college. Immigration rules do not permit students to take a job. A code 2 stamp on the passport on entry to Britain is needed along with a work permit from the Department of Employment for any non-European national to find work in Britain.

Cost of studying

Universities/institutions vary largely in tuition fees. International students in any institution are required to pay full fees. Updated information on the fee amount can only be obtained from the institution you wish to join. Higher education institutions charge tuition fees at different rates to home and overseas students. Home students pay a lower scale compared to the full fees charged to overseas students.

Since 1995 there ceases to be any guidelines or recommendations for fee scales for overseas students. Institutions are free to set their own fees and as such there is great disparity.

English Language Courses - the range could be £100 per week to £300 for small group tuition. Academic English study may cost £100-£200 (free for students enrolled in other courses).

Boarding schools and colleges - £3,000 - £7,000 per term and £1,500 to £4,000 per term for day students

Career based courses - £3,300 to £4,150 per annum.

Subject-wise undergraduate tuition costs - Arts and social science courses is £6,250 - £7,500 for science and engineering £6,500 - £9,700 and for Medicine, dentistry and veterinary science courses £14,900 - £18,000, for BTEC £5,500.

Postgraduate courses - Arts/Social Science subjects cost £6,750 -£8,200 while engineering and science courses cost £6,500 to £9500. Medicine and clinical postgraduate courses cost £9500-£17,500; MBA £7,500 an £11,500 to £20,000 in high profile business schools

Living Costs

£7,200 to £10,000 is needed for an estimated stay of one year towards accommodation, electricity, food, daily travel, books and equipment. (All amounts indicated are liable to increase with economic inflation.).

An additional £1,000 may be required for paying for rent deposit, temporary or transit accommodation, initial books and equipment, clothing, etc.

Studying and living in Britain is costly for most Indian students. Generally an Indian student seeks financial assistance (full or partial) to meet the cost of study and stay.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID

Most scholarships in the UK are for international students doing postgraduate studies. These are either government sponsored or are offered by individual institutions. Application for awards needs to be made at least a year in advance. Institutions normally give full or partial scholarships covering fees, airfares, living costs or just tuition fee or perhaps just a part of the fee. Governments to government scholarships are more likely to be full, covering fees, fares and living costs.

Income can be supplemented in a number of ways only if your entry condition does not prohibit you from working. Postgraduate scholars are allowed to work as lab demonstrators without a work permit if the work does not exceed 6 hours a week.

Sources of financial assistance

At the undergraduate level there is very limited financial assistance. Scholarships are usually for one and three years and cover the cost of travel, tuition fees and living expenses. There may be an additional allowance for books or clothes. Ministry of Human Resource Development has information on this.

Overseas students may be eligible for financial help from their own governments, international agencies or sometimes from the UK government. Some universities offer grants and awards. Various other trusts, cultural agencies or charitable societies may also be able to help. It has been divided subject-wise to facilitate the applicant. Entries in each column are based upon information available from British Council publications and other relevant sources. The entries, however, particularly concerning the value of the award is likely to be revised from time to time. It is advisable that the applicant gets relevant details from the address mentioned before making a formal request.

Commonwealth scholarships - These are for citizens of Commonwealth countries or British dependent territories who are under 25 and permanently residing within those areas. They are for postgraduate study or research so applicants normally hold a university degree or equivalent qualification.

Awards last from one to three years and usually cover the cost of travel, tuition fees and living expenses. In certain cases there are additional allowances for books or clothes. In certain circumstances allowances may be paid towards the cost of maintaining a student's spouse. The scholarships are advertised and you should apply to the Commonwealth Scholarship Agency which is usually the Ministry of Education.

British Council Fellowships - These awards are for postgraduate study or research. British Council Directors in our country may decide in what subject areas they wish to offer their awards, and are responsible for selecting the candidates.

Awards range from short attachments to PhD research. Benefits may vary from small grants up to fully-funded awards which cover fees, living expenses and international travel.

For further information, you should apply to the British Council Office

British Chevening Scholarships and Awards Scheme - British Chevening program of scholarships offers approximately 2300 scholarships for PG studies research.

The scholarships are offered for 1 year Masters Courses and for specialized courses up to 6 months.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office offers annually a number of awards at postgraduate level. The principal aim of the scheme is to bring to the UK present and future leaders, decision-makers and opinion-formers. The scheme also aims to attract particularly able students from countries with whom the UK's economic relations are expected to develop. The awards are normally for formal courses at postgraduate level in most subject fields and preference is given to postgraduates or those applicants already established in a career. Applications should be made to the British Embassy or High Commission.

Overseas research student awards scheme - These are awarded on a competitive basis to postgraduate students of outstanding merit and research potential from all overseas countries that would normally be charged `overseas' students fees. To be eligible you must be registered as a full-time postgraduate research student at a British higher education institution. Academic merit and research potential are the criteria governing selection.

They are awarded initially for one year but are renewable for a second and third year subject to satisfactory progress. These awards make up the difference between `home' (British) and 'overseas' students fees. Application form is available through the British higher education institution which has accepted, or provisionally accepted you.

International agencies and organizations - Award schemes are also funded in some countries by international agencies and organizations such as UNESCO or the Commission of the European Communities. For information on these you should apply at the offices of these bodies in India or through Ministry of Human Resource Development.

DfiD Shared Scholarship (DfiDSSS) - There is a scheme called DfiDSS this scheme is jointly funded by the Department for International Development and certain British higher education institution. Students with high academic merit in developing countries, who could benefit from higher education, are helped. These awards are generally given for taught postgraduate courses or for undergraduate courses in subjects which are not available in the applicants’ country. The purpose of this scheme is to assist academically able students from developing commonwealth countries who would benefit from higher education in Britain to the developmental advantage of their home countries, who could not for financial reasons study in UK.

Address for contact:

Association of Commonwealth Universities, John Foster House, 36 Gordam Square, London, WC1H 0PF

IMMIGRATION RULES

After securing a place in a British university or college international students must ensure that they fulfill immigration regulations. Immigration regulations must be complied with and this must be checked before making travel arrangements or even paying the tuition fee. Immigration regulations do require of you to give evidence that -

• You have gained admission to a recognized course of study in a genuine university or college;
• That you will be occupied in full time study which implies at least 15 hours per week of organized daytime study;
• That you have adequate prequalification to enter the course;
• That you intend to go back to your country on completion of your studies.

Visa requirements

For getting a visa you need to get an entry clearance for which you have to apply. If you travel to Britain without an entry clearance and are refused entry at the immigration counter you have to return to your country and then appeal for a review. If, however, you have an entry clearance and you are refused entry as your documents are incomplete you can get temporary admission and make an appeal there itself against the decision. You can, however, avoid most potential problems by being meticulous in procuring and presenting all documents. An application in advance for entry clearance helps to avoid any delays at Immigration Control. You should be ready with the following documents at Immigration Control:

• An original letter of acceptance onto a course (no photocopies are accepted)
• Certificates of all your academic credentials
• Bank statement, letter showing scholarship award, proof of sponsorship if you are not supporting yourself (original documents are accepted)
• Passport and visa, letter of consent or entry certificate

Some students prefer to visit a few colleges before really making a final choice as to where they will study. If you wish to look around at a few different colleges before making your final decision, then you must not try to travel to Britain on a tourist visa if your real intention is to study. Explain your intentions to the entry clearance officer who will give you permission to enter and stay for a short period of time (generally about 2 months). After making up your mind you can apply for extension of your stay.

If an entry clearance is refused you will be given reasons for the same. An appeal for reconsideration can be made within three months. If you are refused entry into Britain and you had the entry clearance be sure that you cannot be removed from Britain. You can appeal and while you are waiting to be heard you can stay. You may contact the following offices while making an appeal.

• United Kingdom, Immigrants Advisory Council (UKIAS), Tel.: (01)2299268
• United Kingdom Council for Overseas Student Affairs (UKCOSA), The Council for International Education, 9-17, St. Albans Place, London, NI ON Tel 44 1712263762

Contact your college to inform them and seek guidance.

Permission to remain in Britain

On arriving in the UK your passport will be stamped. The stamp will give three pieces of information:

• Details of your permitted length of stay
• Employment restrictions
• It will show whether you need to register with the police

For those who intend to stay for less than six months, this may not be necessary.

Extension of stay - Most students are granted stay for one year and many students do need an extension. Permission for extension must be requested before the expiry of the current permission. Details of where to apply can be procured from the immigration office. Immigration offices are in Belfast, Glasgow, Harwich, Liverpool, Norwich and Southampton.

Alternatively, you may file an application in writing to the Home Office in Croyden, enclosing your passport, a letter from your college stating that you are still enrolled on your course, a bank statement that you have sufficient funds at the following address:

Home Office Public Enquiry Office, Lunar House, Wellesley Road, Croydan, Surrey CR9 2BY

Many students have to leave UK for a holiday during the course. Students who wish to travel outside the UK must do so within the granted period of stay. Multiple/double entry visas must be procured beforehand by those who anticipate travelling to and from Britain.

Re-entry to UK is refused without a valid visa. If you encounter difficulties with immigration regulations during your stay in Britain, the following people can help: the College advisor or Indian High Commission or the UK Council for Overseas Student Affairs 9-17 St. Albans Place, London N1 0NX or UK Immigrants Advisory Service at Central Office, 190 Great Dover Street, London SE1 4YB. Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants; 115, Old Street, London EC1.

Addresses for reference are as follows:

Passport office, Clive House, 70 Petty France, London SW1H 9HD, Tel.: (01)271 8560

Passport office, 3 Northgate, 96 Milton Street, Cowcaddens, Glasgow, Tel.: (041)3320271

Passport office, 5th Floor, India Buildings, Water Street, Liverpool L2 0QZ, Tel.: (051)237 3010

Passport office, Olympic House, Upper Rock Street, Newport, Gwent, Wales, Tel.: (0633)56292

Passport office, 55 Westfield Road, Peterborough, PE3 6TG,Tel.: (0722)895 555

Passport office, 49-53 High Street, Belfast BT1 2QS,Tel.: (0232)232371

New Zealand- The Education System

In New Zealand Higher education is a billion dollar industry now. The growth has been phenomenal over the past 5 years. Education now earns New Zealand as much forex as wool or butter or cheese, which have traditionally been New Zealand's strongest export commodities. The strong growth in expected to continue in years to come.

New Zealand education programs and degrees are recognized and accredited very much like - the British system.

EDUCATIONAL STRUCTURE

School education

School education in New Zealand is for 13 years, beginning at the age of 5 years. Most schools are established and funded by the New Zealand Government but there are a number of secondary schools with special philosophical or religious traditions. These receive limited state funding. All schools prepare students for state examinations and are subject to stringent quality assurance assessments.

Education is free and compulsory between the age of 6 and 15 years. Secondary schools in New Zealand provide the last five years of formal education which prepares students for university and other types of tertiary education and vocational training. Secondary school includes Form 3 to Form 7. Students attending secondary schools are between ages of 13 and 18 years.

Secondary education

Forms (classes) 3 to 7 are the secondary classes in New Zealand which students enter at the age of 13 years. The curriculum in secondary schools is based on guidelines set by the Ministry of Education. In Forms 3 and 4 core subjects such as English, Science, Maths, Social Sciences and co-curricular subjects such as Music, Art and Craft and Physical Education are taught. In Form 5 English, Maths and Science are compulsory and students make a choice from Art, Commerce, Technology related subject and Languages. Form 5 is equivalent to our class X. Students take their first public examination in at least 6 subjects in Form 5. Those who get satisfactory grades are sent upto Form 6. In Form 6 students have to study 6 subjects and popular choices are English, Mathematics, Sciences, Commerce and Economics. Form 6 examination is an internal examination after which they are awarded a Sixth Form Certificate which is a grade card.

University Entrance Bursary and Scholarship Exams

Equivalent to our Senior Secondary or class XII examination are the Form 7 examinations. These examinations are the only accepted method for entry to New Zealand degree courses for students completing Forms 6 and 7 in New Zealand. For overseas students equivalent qualifications are recognized. In Form 7 students may select subjects which they intend to pursue at the tertiary level

Aggregate of 4 subjects is calculated for placement. To get admission into a degree program in New Zealand a minimum of 250 aggregate marks are required.

The University Bursary Scholarship examination is considered equivalent to GCE `A' levels while comparing total aggregates .

Scholarships in Australia

The mass of international students in Australia are full-fee paying students. There is strong contest for the international student scholarships.

International students can apply for scholarships presented by the, education institutions and many other organizations. Scholarships envelop number of educational sectors with vocational and technical education, student exchanges, undergraduate and postgraduate study and research. Australian Government scholarships are not accessible for international students undertaking English language training in Australia but there are several English language training scholarships offered by Australian institutions.

Australian Scholarships

Australian Scholarships is a scheme of the Australian Government that brings as one and expands present scholarship programmes in the Asia-Pacific region managed by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). Australian Scholarships also introduces a new AusAID managed programme - Australian Leadership Awards. Further information can be found at: www.australianscholarships.gov.au/

A brief synopsis of each of the module programmes of Australian Scholarships follows:

Endeavour Programme
The Endeavour Programme brings together under one roof the entire division of Education, Employment and Workplace Relation’s (DEEWR) international education scholarships. The Endeavour Programme showcases the distinction of Australia’s education, science and training sectors by bringing exceptional students, researchers and professionals to Australia to take on short or long term study, research and professional development in an extensive array of disciplines. It also encourages Australians to do the same when outside their own Country. For more information please can be found at: www.endeavour.dest.gov.au/

Australian Leadership Awards
The Australian Leadership Awards (ALAs) focus on developing cream of the crop who can power social and economic policy reform and development outcomes in both their own countries and in the Asia-Pacific region. ALAs extend support for scholarships for post-graduate studies in Australia and short-term fellowship opportunities in specialized research, study or professional attachments through participating Australian organizations. Further information can be found at: www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar

Australian Development Scholarships
Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) aspire to add to the continuing expansion needs of Australia's partner countries to endorse good control, fiscal augmentation and individual development. ADS award people with the needed skills and comprehension to impel transform and influence the growth outcomes of their own country, during obtaining tertiary qualifications at participating Australian institutions. Further information can be found at: www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar

Scholarships in US

Though few and far between, there are some universities in the US that provide financial aid and student scholarships to international students. However, you should keep the following points in mind:

• The grant is limited and the pool of candidates is enormous,
• It is often more readily available to Graduate rather than Undergraduate students,
• Competition for international student scholarships and aid is fierce,
• Schools are very choosy about picking the right candidates,
• Good grades are extremely crucial in securing an international scholarship.

Note: To avoid disappointment, you may like to consider schools that have scholarships and the course of your choice.

Scholarships Available

Following are the organizations that provide international student scholarships and financial aid:

• The Fulbright Grant:
  Fulbright grants are available for international students in graduate school. The flagship international educational program sponsored by the United States Government, the Fulbright Program (http://www.iie.org/Template.cfm?section=Fulbright) provides grants for Graduate Students, Scholars, Professionals, Teachers and Administrators.

• Rotary International:
  This organization provides limited international student scholarships.

• AAUW:
  This organization provides fellowships for international women graduate students.

• American Councils for International Education:
  The councils provide international student grants and fellowships to international students from the former Soviet republics.

• Presidential Award:
  This is for non-resident and International graduate students who have met graduate school requirements.

• International Presidential Scholarship and International University Scholarship:
  This award covers tuition reimbursement to qualified undergraduate domestic and international students.

Scholarships in UK - A broad list of 11 scholarship options

Scholarships managed by British Council

1. British Chevening Scholarship

This is the UK government's flagship scholarship scheme. Their principal goal is to present a chance for self-motivated students and professionals who wish to study in the UK in research or postgraduate courses. It has supported over 1,900 Indian students so far. Their aims to push students and professionals to study in the UK so that once they are back to India they contribute to future work .
The scheme offers two kinds of programmes:

• Long term (open) scholarships: This is open for courses at any UK institution and are planned for candidates who have already applied for one-year postgraduate study at the institution of their choice.
• Short term (professional) scholarships: Designed for working professionals who would like to pursue short-term training to expand their knowledge and skills. Applicants under this scheme need not apply directly to UK institutions; they only need to make a Chevening application.

Web sites:
a. http://www.chevening.com/
b. www.britishcouncil.org/india-scholarships-chevening.htm

2. Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships

A yearly plan made accessible to all Commonwealth countries by the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission. The India programme is managed jointly by the Association of Commonwealth Universities, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India and the British Council. The scheme offers 55 scholarships over a range of subjects including medicine, engineering and technology, pure and applied science, agriculture, humanities and social sciences.
Web site: http://www.acu.ac.uk/

3. Charles Wallace India Trust Awards

The Charles Wallace India Trust provides awards for postgraduate studies, research and fellowships in the UK. The awards deem primarily on the arts and humanities and the organization provides up to 50 grants annually for Indians.

Each year, awards are offered in six areas:
a) Visual and performing arts
b) Architectural and materials conservation
c) Museum studies and curatorship
d) English studies
e) Humanities
f) Journalism

Web site: www.britishcouncil.org/india-scholarships-commonwealth-scholarships.htm

4. The De Souza Trust, Goa - Scholarship

Aims to provide opportunities to study or train in the UK, to young men and women of Goan origin (or those who have been living and working in Goa for the past ten years), who have demonstrated academic excellence and extra-curricular achievements.

Web site: www.britishcouncil.org/india-scholarships.htm

5. Scottish International Scholarships

Six scholarships available to Indians who wish to study a Master's programme of not more than 12 months based in a Scottish higher education institution. Priority for the following subject areas: science and technology, creative industries (including arts, design and culture).

Web site: http://www.scotlandscholarship.com/


Other Scholarships

1. Ford Foundation Visiting Fellowship

It is particularly planned to support candidates from social groups that have been marginalized and need systematic way in to higher education.

Web site: http://www.ifpsa.org/

2. The Rhodes Scholarships

Up to six fully covered scholarships offered at Oxford, for pure and applied sciences, law or medicine.

Web site: http://www.rhodesscholarships-india.com/

3. The Skoll Scholarship Programme

Five fully-funded annual MBA scholarships within the Said Business School, University of Oxford, UK.

Web site: www.britishcouncil.org/skoll-scholarships.doc

4. The Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Awards

Awards for outstanding graduate students from India, China, Hong Kong, Russia and the developing world to pursue PhDs in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, social sciences and technology.

Web site: www.rcuk.ac.uk/hodgkin

5. Oxford and Cambridge Society of India

Scholarships awarded for study at the Universities of Oxford or Cambridge.

Web site: http://www.oxbridgeindia.com/

6. Felix Scholarships

Offers up to six scholarships each for Indian graduates at University of Oxford, University of Reading, and School of Oriental and African Studies every year.

Web sites:
www.ox.ac.uk
www.soas.ac.uk
www.reading.ac.uk