Financial Assistance in the U.S.
The following is the general classification and description of financial assistance available in the higher education
in the U.S. These types of financial assistance are usually awarded on a highly competitive basis. Details will vary according to the
universities and immigration rules.
Fellowship:
Service is not required in exchange for a fellowship. Additional employment is not allowed. It usually comes with a tuition waiver and a monthly stipend.
Scholarship:
Service is not required in exchange for a scholarship. Additional employment is allowed. A scholarship is a grant of money
that may be issued directly to the student, or applied to the student's bill at the institution.
Assistantship:
Service is required in exchange for an assistantship. It gives a monthly stipend. A tuition waiver may or may not be included.
Internship
Internship is a hands-on training which may or may not be required to complete a degree. While completing an internship, a student may
either be paid or not paid.
Tuition waiver:
The student who is granted a tuition waiver is not required to pay for all or part of the tuition.
On-campus Student Worker Positions:
Service is required, and the student will receive an hourly wage. The student may not work more than 20 hours per week while classes
are in session. The positions may be available in many different units of the school, such as administrative offices, academic
departments, student centers, campus maintainance, and recreational centers.
Off-campus Employment
International students must not work off campus without authorization. If no other on-campus employment opportunities are
available or are otherwise insufficient, F-1 students may be eligiable for off-campus work authorization. The need must be as a
result of unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
F-1 student whose training program is a required part of the established curriculum may apply to the designated school official
(DSO) for Curricular Practical Training authorization (CPT). When the internship is not required for the degree, it is still possible
for a student to receive approval if the work experience is arranged and sponsored by the academic department.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training is designed to provide an opportunity to gain practical experience in your field of study. OPT is limited to
one twelve-month period for each degree level you complete. Students must apply for OPT 90 days before they intend to work. The OPT
application must be received in Lincoln, NE before the I-20 expires.
You May Also Want to Know, The Difference between Tuition and Fee:
Tuition refers to the expense the student needs to pay to the institution according to the credit hours the student takes in each semester.
Fees are additional charges that must be paid to the institution for academic and student support services, such as student recreation
fee, student medical benefit fee, student activity fee, and so on. Students may also be charged specific class or lab fees to cover
costs of consumable expenses specific to that class or lab.
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