American University (AU) awards a limited number of generous partial merit scholarships to academically-qualified incoming international first-year undergraduate students. No need-based financial aid is available to international students. The merit scholarship range from U.S.$6,000 to U.S.$25,000 per academic year (renewable subject to conditions). Also see AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship Program which awards scholarships to high-achieving international students who wish to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree at the University and who are dedicated to positive civic and social change. It is intended for students who will be to returning home to improve under-resourced, under-served communities in his/her home country. Amherst College Scholarships Amherst College currently runs a need-based financial aid program that provides assistance to financially needy international students. Once you have been admitted, your financial need is determined. A financial aid award that is equal to your need will then be offered. The award is sometimes called an “aid package” because it may include both self-help (employment) and gift aid (scholarships and grants). Berea College Scholarships Berea College is the only school in the United States that provides 100% funding to 100% of enrolled international students for the first year of enrollment. This combination of financial aid and scholarships offsets the costs of tuition, room, board, and fees. In subsequent years, international students are expected to save $1,000 (US) per year to contribute toward their expenses. The College does provide summer jobs to international students so that they may meet this obligation. Clark University Scholarships Clark University offers the Global Scholars Program which are open to first-year applicants (not a transfer student) who has attended school overseas for at least four years as well as international citizens attending school in the United States. A scholarship of no less than $5,000 per year ($20,000 for four years, contingent upon meeting academic standards for renewal) and a guaranteed $2,500 taxable stipend for a paid internship or research assistantship taken for academic credit during the summer following your sophomore or junior year is included with the award. Colby-Sawyer College Scholarships International students are eligible for merit-based financial aid offered by Colby-Sawyer College. The scholarship value increases based on academic ability (measured in GPA) and range from $15,000 up to $24,000 per year. The college does not meet full financial need. Columbia College Scholarships Columbia College offers about 20 scholarships and awards to outstanding international students. The awards are one time cash grants or 15%- 100% tuition reduction. Concordia College Scholarships Concordia prizes the contributions international students make on campus and is pleased to provide partial financial assistance to international students. The International Student Scholarship is based on academic ability and family need, amounting up to $25,000 per year. Dartmouth College Scholarships Dartmouth College meets the demonstrated need of all admitted undergraduates, including those from other countries. Dartmouth College has scholarships and loans available to international students, which includes an allowance for travel to the U.S.. East Tennessee State University East Tennessee State University (ETSU) offers the International Students Academic Merit Scholarship for new international students seeking a graduate or undergraduate degree. The scholarship covers 50 percent of the total of in and out-of-state tuition and maintenance fees only. No additional fees or costs are covered. The scholarship award can only be used for study at ETSU. East West Center Graduate Degree Scholarships The East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship provides funding for up to 24 months for Master’s or Doctoral degree study for graduate students from Asia, the Pacific, and the U.S. to participate in the educational, residential, and leadership development programs at the East-West Center while pursuing graduate study at the University of Hawai’i. Emory College Scholarships Emory College offers need-based financial aid awards to a select group of international students each
year. As well, international applicants are encouraged to apply for merit-based scholarships through the Emory University Scholars Program (November 15 deadline). Illinois Wesleyan University Scholarships Merit-based scholarships are offered to qualified international applicants with outstanding academic achievement and test scores on the required entrance exams. These awards range from $10,000 to $25,000 per year and are renewable for up to four years. In addition, two full-tuition President’s International Student Scholarships may be awarded each year to qualified international students for up to four years of study. Iowa State University International Merit Scholarships The International Merit Scholarship is awarded to well-rounded students who have demonstrated strong academic achievement, and outstanding talent or achievements in one or more of the following areas: math and sciences, the arts, extracurricular activities, community service, leadership, innovation, or entrepreneurship. The awards range from $4,000 to $8,000 and are renewable. Michigan State University International Scholarships Michigan University provides a limited number of scholarship and grants to deserving international students at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. These financial packages are not designed to support your full academic program at MSU. New York University Wagner Scholarships The merit scholarships are offered to a limited number of admitted students each application cycle, including international students. The scholarships are partial to full tuition scholarships ranging from $25,000-$47,000. Oregon University Scholarships Each year, the University of Oregon awards more than one million dollars in financial aid and scholarships to international students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. One of their scholarship programs is the ICSP Scholarship which awards 30–40 competitive scholarships to international students each year. Selected ICSP students receive a tuition-waiver scholarship ranging from $7,500 – $30,000. Wesleyan University Scholarships Wesleyan University offers very limited scholarships for international students and is awarded on the basis of both exceptional qualifications and demonstrated need. In addition to the 11 Asian students who are awarded yearly under the Freeman Asian Scholars Program, the University provides financial assistance to approximately 15 international students from a pool of over 400 such applicants. University of the West Scholarships The Lotus Scholarship is awarded to students who achieve high academic standards and demonstrate a financial need in order to attend University of the West (UWest). The Scholarship awards up to $5,000 or up to $10,000 annually to each successful applicant to apply toward his or her tuition, mandatory fees, room and board, and other expenses required for attendance at UWest
Going to university is a big decision. It influences your future career path, and your wealth, health, and well-being.
Consequently, choosing the right university is important. Attending a university that is the right fit for you can make a big difference - in terms of job opportunities, career development, and general levels of happiness.
So how do you choose which university to attend? What should you look for?
Step 1: Talk to University Students
One of the best ways to work out whether a university will be a good fit for you is to talk to current and past students who have attended the university. Talking to current and past students will allow you to get an in-depth understanding of what it is like to be a student at the university.
Students will be able to tell you about the quality of education, job prospects, facilities, housing, and what the university social life is like. It is important however when taking to university students, both past and present to get a wide range of opinions, across different faculties, as students may have certain biases, or limited experiences. For example, a university may not be strong in a particular faculty, and if only speak to one student who studies in this faculty, you will only receive an incomplete image of what the university is really like.
What to Ask
A good list of things to ask current and past students about includes:
Quality of Academics
o This should include things like lecturers, tutors, class size, course material, course structure etc.
Job Prospects
o How hard or easy has it been for them to gain work?
Quality of Facilities
o Are the facilities sufficient for the university student body? Are they overloaded? How old are they?
Quality of Housing
o Find out what students say about cleanliness, access to university, cost and roommates.
Accessibility
o How easy is it to get to the university? How long does it take other students?
Social & Night Life
o What are the parties like? Is there a large variety of clubs and societies for all interests?
Resources
A great resource that has been developed to help prospective students discover what current and past students think about their university can be found at Uni Australia. Uni Australia provides tens of thousands of university student reviews and comments on all Australian universities, which allow prospective university students to really discover what a university will be like.
Step 2: Attend Open Days
Once you have got an idea of what a university from a current and past university student perspective, you should attend the university open day yourself so you can also develop your own perspective of what it will feel like to study at the particular university.
Accessibility
University open days are a great opportunity to work out how accessible the university is. Use it as a test to see how long it will take you to get into university, and the travel options you have. This is important, as depending on your course, you will need to travel into university anywhere from 3-5 days a week.
Facilities
Additionally, University open days are a great way to check out the facilities. Make sure you check out the libraries, gymnasiums, lecture halls and labs. Keep an eye out for the amount of computers that are provided, as not enough computers can be a big pain when you are studying at university. If you are contemplating moving out of home and living on campus, be sure to get a tour of the university colleges and student villages to see if they will suit your requirements.
Beware of Sales Pitches
Finally, a note of warning. Often university open days can be deceiving as the university is making a concerted effort to sell itself to you. Be wary of the claims the university might make.
The university will often have current university students available to help you and answer your questions. While these students are well- meaning, often they are paid University Ambassadors, which means that you also need to carefully consider what they tell you. Always cross-reference what you learn at an open day with what you have learn from reading reviews, and speaking to past and current university students without any association to the university.
For information on University Open Day's in Australia, visit Uni Australia.
Step 3: Further Research - Career Development, Pathways into University & Scholarships
Once you have read reviews and spoken to past and current students, attended the open days, and developed your own perspective on a university, you then need to conduct some specific research on the university, and what it can provide you in the longer term.
Career Development
Things you should research include how the university can help you in your career development. Do they have connections with industry? Do they have co-op programs, and offer internships alongside university study? What is the graduate employment rate for the university?
Pathways & Study Options
Furthermore, you should also consider what scholarships the university offers, and what pathways they offer into university. Do they offer TAFE Credits, and have relationships with colleges that allow you to enter university after studying a diploma or Advanced Certificate? Do they have special admission requirements? Can you study part time, or via distance?
Talk to Employers
Finally, call a couple of companies in the industries you are interested in that employ graduates and speak to their Human Resources Department. Ask them what they think of graduates from the university you are thinking of attending. Find out what skills and strengths employers see in graduates from the university, and what starting salaries and ongoing prospects are.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike if the Federal Government refuses to implement the 2009 agreement.
This was disclosed by the ASUU Lagos Zone Coordinator, Prof. Olusoji Sowande.
According to him the union have decided on to this path since all efforts to get the federal government to implement the agreement has proved abortive.
He mentioned that embarking on a strike action is not a favorable choice as it is the students and lecturers that bear the brunt of it more, but it seems that is the only language that the Nigerian government seems to respect and listen to.
He recalled a meeting the union had with the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu over the issue during which the minister promised that the issue will be resolved within 2 weeks but up till now nothing has been done.
He urged well meaning Nigerians and stake holders to prevail on the Government to implement the agreement to avoid the impending crisis that is about to bedevil the nation's university system.
