Finances for International Students
Before a U.S. consul will grant a visa, you must prove that you
will have sufficient money to meet all your expenses while studying
in the United States. You must explain the source of your funds
and guarantee that you will receive them while at the University.
Unless you are able to provide written evidence demonstrating you
have adequate financial resources for the entire time needed to
complete your degree program, the consul will not grant a student
visa.
If your country's government limits the amount of money that may
be sent to its students in the United States, you should make sure
that funds will be available. When you leave your country, you must
have enough money to pay for traveling expenses to the University,
pay fees for the entire term, meet living expenses until more money
reaches you and pay the return fare to your home. If your country's
government requires verification of enrollment before money can
be forwarded to you, you may request that verification from the
campus International Student Advisor after you have completed registration
at the University. Some students assume,
incorrectly, that additional financial assistance or part-time employment
will be available. Each year many students find themselves in serious
financial difficulties because they did not arrange for adequate
support. Before making firm plans to come to the United States to
study, you should read the following information carefully.
Educational and Living
Expenses
The chart that follows provides the estimated average fees and expenses
for the 2007-2008 academic year (nine months) for an undergraduate
living in University housing. It is provided only as a guide. Actual
costs for the next academic year will vary and fees and expenses
are subject to change. Graduate and professional school fees vary by program and may be greater than undergraduate fees.
ESTIMATED COSTS OF ATTENDING
THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA |
Undergraduate Costs for Nine-Month
Academic Year, 2007-2008
|
Tuition and Fees |
$27,066
|
Books and Supplies |
$1,475
|
Living (Room and Board) |
$11,755
|
Personal/Transportation
|
$2,412
|
Health Insurance Allowance/Fee |
$892
|
Total Average Estimated
Costs |
$43,600
|
Figures for fees, books and supplies, living expenses, personal/transportation
expenses and total expenses represent averages at all UC campuses
(except San Francisco). The figures for 2007-2008 tuition and
fees include registration and education fees required of all UC
students, miscellaneous campus fees, plus $19,620 in tuition and
fees for UC students who are not residents of California.
Figures for personal/transportation expenses include personal
items, laundry, some recreational activities
and costs for limited local travel. This assumes the student has
moderate spending habits, is not supporting a spouse or family
and is well-supplied with clothing and other personal belongings.
Transportation and telephone calls between the United States and another
country are not included.
Living expenses for students who choose to live off campus vary
depending upon the community surrounding the campus. Students
should be aware that there are often additional costs associated
with renting an apartment or house, such as advance payment of a security
deposit and additional month's rent, and utility payments.
Costs for living expenses and attending school during the summer
are not included. Students can expect to spend at least $4,720
for living expenses during the summer, plus expenses associated
with attending school.
In general, University fees must be paid upon registration at the
beginning of each term. Some campuses permit students to pay fees
in installments. Contact the Office of the International Student
Advisor on the campus you expect to attend to learn whether such
an option will be available to you.
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Financial Assistance and Additional Fees
Most international students find it difficult to obtain financial assistance in the United States, particularly if no aid has been offered by an academic department or scholarship organization before arrival in the United States.
Undergraduates
The University awards a very limited number of grants, loans and scholarships to international undergraduates. At some campuses, no assistance is available to international undergraduates.
Graduate School Students
In many graduate programs, some students are awarded grants or tuition waivers. If you are a graduate student with a record of outstanding academic achievement, you may be appointed as a teaching or research assistant in the department in which you plan to study. These opportunities are limited, and usually are available only to students who have been enrolled a year or more at the University. Students on F-1 and J-1 visas are eligible for teaching or research assistantships. To apply for an assistantship, at the same time you apply for admission send a written request to the department in which you would like to study. (For UCSD, check the appropriate box on the application.) Application for an assistantship is separate from your application for admission to the University. If your post-secondary education was completed in a language other than English and you are applying for a teaching assistantship your first year, most campuses will require you pass a standardized oral English proficiency exam like the Test of Spoken English (TSE). If an acceptable standardized exam is not available, documentation of oral English proficiency is acceptable in rare cases.
Also, in certain departments on some campuses, graduate students with outstanding academic records may be awarded fellowship assistance, either through the department or through national or international fellowship programs. For information on fellowships, contact the Graduate Department/Division or academic department to which you are applying.
Professional School Students
Students in selected professional school programs must pay additional annual fees. These programs include nursing, optometry, pharmacy, medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, business, law, public health, public policy, theater/film/ television (UCLA), and international relations (UCSD). Fee levels are subject to change without notice. Refer to individual campus websites for fee information for each professional school program.
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Waiver of Fees
Students from the host universities affiliated with UC’s Education Abroad Program (EAP) may be considered for waivers of nonresident tuition fees and other awards. Procedures for granting waivers and awards vary among the host institutions. If you are a student at a host university, you should contact the resident director of the University
of California EAP in your country for more information.
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Employment
There are very limited opportunities for employment, either on or off campus, except as a teaching or research assistant. Unless you are a graduate student who has received a definite offer for such an assistantship before your arrival, you should not plan to earn any part of your expenses while attending the University. Students who hope to secure employment or financial assistance after enrolling at the University may be unable to complete their studies. U.S. government restrictions make summer and part-time off-campus work extremely difficult to secure.
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