Financial Aid for International Students
Before you arrive
As required by U.S. immigration law, you are required to provide proof of your ability to pay for college before the school can issue you an I-20. (The I-20 is used to apply for a nonimmigrant student visa and enter the United States). Currently there are only three types of scholarships that may be used as a source of funding for the initial status or transfer I-20 (these funds are described below). Please remember that you are responsible for documenting your funding. If you do receive one of these awards, the remainder of the funding will have to come from other sources. If you are not eligible, you will have to provide proof of funding for the entire amount required by immigration. BYU-Idaho uses Part 8 of the admissions application for this purpose (see link below):
http://www.byui.edu/Admissions/pdf/part_8.pdf
Heber J. Grant Program - The Heber J. Grant Scholarship Program is for current and future college students who are facing or have overcome circumstances that may challenge their pursuit of a BYU-Idaho education. Please follow the link below for more information or to apply to the program:
http://www.byui.edu/heberjgrant/apply.html
Award of Excellence - This scholarship is for newly admitted freshmen and is based on church activity, seminary activity, cumulative high school GPA, ACT or SAT scores, leadership, service, extracurricular activities, and essays. Please follow the link below for more information:
http://www.byui.edu/financialaid/scholarships/excellence.htm
Please note that you must take the ACT or SAT exams to be considered for this award.
Academic Scholarships (transfer students) - All current, former, and transfer students who register for classes and have a minimum of 30 but less than 130 cumulative (total college career including AP/IB and language tests) credits at the beginning of the evaluated semester will be considered for academic scholarships automatically. Students' academic credentials will be evaluated during the fall, winter, and summer Semesters. Please follow the link below for more information:
http://www.byui.edu/financialaid/scholarships/academic.htm
After Arrival
International students are often faced with financial challenges while attending school, but with some advanced planning and hard work, most students should be able to provide for most if not all of their school expenses. We have listed some potential sources of support below.
On Campus Employment - International students are allowed to work on campus 20 hours per week while school is in session and up to 40 hours per week during their off-track and semester breaks. If you worked 15 hours while in school and 30 hours per week during your off-track and semester breaks, you could earn over $8000.00 annually. See the chart below for potential earning at various levels of work.
|
Potential Earnings for Given Hours Worked |
|||
|
|
Earnings 10/20 |
Earnings 15/30 |
Earnings 20/40 |
|
Annual income (on-track + off-track) |
$ 5,510.00 |
$ 8,265.00 |
$ 11,020.00 |
|
Income per semester (14 weeks) |
$ 1,015.00 |
$ 1,522.50 |
$ 2,030.00 |
|
Income per on-track(2 semesters or 28 weeks) |
$ 2,030.00 |
$ 3,045.00 |
$ 4,060.00 |
|
Income for off-track (24 weeks total) |
$ 3,480.00 |
$ 5,220.00 |
$ 6,960.00 |
|
Hours per week while in school |
10 |
15 |
20 |
|
Hours per week while off-track |
20 |
30 |
40 |
|
Minimum hourly wage |
7.25 |
7.25 |
7.25 |
Practical Training - Another option available to students after they have finished their first year is practical training which comes in two types: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). To be considered for either option, you will need to apply through the International Student Services Office.
CPT allows students to find jobs off campus that are related to their major to gain practical experience. This is often used to authorize students for an internship or other academic program, but it also allows you to work off-campus and earn money while gaining experience in your major field of study.
OPT is mainly used after you graduate, but can be used before you complete your program of study
Academic Scholarships (30 credits or more) - All current, former, and transfer students who register for classes and have a minimum of 30 but less than 130 cumulative (total college career including AP/IB and language tests) credits at the beginning of the evaluated semester will be considered for academic scholarships automatically. Students' academic credentials will be evaluated during the fall, winter, and summer Semesters. Please follow the link below for more information:
http://www.byui.edu/financialaid/scholarships/academic.htm
Private Grants - BYU-Idaho has a limited amount of funds donated from private individuals that can be used to help students in difficult situations. Before applying for these funds, you should be aware of the following:
These funds are limited and are not intended to relieve the student, their parents or sponsor of the responsibility of paying for educational expenses. Funds may be available in situations where all other resources have been exhausted and the student is doing all they can. Please follow the link below for more information:
http://www.byui.edu/financialaid/grantapp.htm
Wilkinson Fund - In addition to on-campus employment, scholarships and the use of practical training, junior and senior level students have access to the Wilkinson Fund. This program provides access to low-cost student loans to help international student complete the final two years of a bachelor program or two years of a master program. Click here for a PowerPoint file which covers the basics of the Wilkinson Fund.
Conclusion
There are a number of financial resources available to international students. However, these options are not meant to take the place of your own funds or the funds of your sponsor. These resources can help make it possible for you to complete your education, but it is up to you make them work for you.
