Financing Your Financing Your Graduate Graduate Studies in the Studies in the U.S.U.S.

Choosing the best Choosing the best program for program for YOUYOU

Start Early Identify your long term goals Determine your available time Research diverse institutions and

professors Consult with an educational adviser

Before You Apply…Before You Apply…

Assess your financial situation Determine your contribution Consider different types of institutions

Public vs. Private Remember additional costs: application

fees, postage, testing Know that tuition & fees will increase every

year (around 5%) Financial Aid options will too

General Rules to General Rules to ConsiderConsider

Financial Aid is limited to the most PROMISING applicants with: Demonstrated academic potential Research and teaching experience A polished application

Start the application process very early Do your research

At an EducationUSA center and on the internet Enhance your application

Contact the DepartmentContact the Department

Types of questions to ask: What does it take to be admitted and to receive

funding in this department? What are the common types of financial aid that

students in the department have received? What other suggestions do you have for reducing

costs while studying at your institution?If they can’t answer these questions, don’t

apply!

ExamsExams TOEFL iBT

www.ets.org/toefl Various authorized centers in

Mexico City GRE

www.ets.org/gre Mexico City, Guadalajara and

Monterey GRE Subject Tests

(Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Literature in English, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology)

GMAT www.mba.com Mexico City,

Guadalajara and Monterey

The ApplicationThe Application Depends on the program or university Typical Requirements:

School/program’s application form Statement of purpose Letters of recommendation (2-3, translation required) Official undergraduate transcripts (translation required) Exams (TOEFL, GRE, GMAT etc.) Résumé Sometimes a portfolio or sample of past work Financial statement

Set Your Application Apart Set Your Application Apart

Enhance your application: Is your statement of purpose the best it can

possibly be? Invest time in perfecting it! Cultivate effective letters of recommendation. Select departments/professors interested in

supporting your research. Highlight community involvement and

community service as they are attractive assets.

Calculating your expensesCalculating your expenses

Application Fees ($35-100/institution) Tuition ($15,000-30,000+/yr) Room & Board ($5,000-10,000/yr) University Student Fees

($100-$300/term) Medical and Dental Insurance Travel Expenses Living Expenses

Graduate Financial Aid Graduate Financial Aid SourcesSources

U.S. University

44%

Personal/Family 44%

Patterns and Trends in Patterns and Trends in FundingFunding

More funding is available for: PhD programs

compared to master’s programs. Research and Doctoral universities

compared to master’s institutions Academic programs

compared to professional programs (law, medicine, dentistry, MBAs, etc.)

Many programs don’t offer funding until the second year.

Funding Varies by FieldFunding Varies by Field

Engineering, computer science, math 82% of PhD candidates are funded 55% of master’s candidates

Humanities 56% of PhD candidates are funded 41% of master’s candidates

Business, law, and other professions: funding is rare and loans are common

Financial Aid ProgramsFinancial Aid Programs

U.S. Universities Government Private Foundations Loans

Types of Funding: U.S. Types of Funding: U.S. Universities Universities

AssistantshipsAssistantships Teaching (TA): Awarded by department.

Must demonstrate strong spoken English and teaching experience. Can be in other departments (languages, math).

Research (RA): Awarded by professors. Contributes to your thesis research.

Graduate (GA): Awarded by grad school. Administrative, library.

The ProfessorThe Professor

Professors manage teaching and research assistantships.

You need to communicate with the professors Learn about them and their research from

the school’s website and scholar.google.com Write to them about your academic interests

and what you can contribute to their researchThey should know you before they

receive your application!

Types of Funding: U.S. Types of Funding: U.S. Universities Universities

Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-State Tuition WaiversWaivers

Several universities and/or state governments offer out-of-state tuition waivers (based on country of origin, region or ethnicity)

In Texas: PASE & Good Neighbor Scholarship Program Mexican nationals who demonstrate financial need

pay in-state tuition at public universities in Texas For more information visit each university’s

website

Types of Funding: Types of Funding: GovernmentGovernment Fulbright-Fulbright-Garcia RoblesGarcia Robles

Scholarships for students, research, teacher exchange, and resident scholars

Variety of fields of study, Excludes medicine, dentistry and veterinary studies

Scholarship: $15,000 for 9 months renewable for 1 year for Master’s, 2 years for Doctorate

Commission selects student then helps find university

J-1 Visa obligates students to return to Mexico for a minimum of 2 years afterwards

www.comexus.org.mx

Types of Funding: Types of Funding: GovernmentGovernment CONACYTCONACYT Full and partial scholarships for

graduate students already accepted by universities

Give preference to PhD students Focuses on science and technology Partners with U.S. universities

www.conacyt.com.mx

Types of Funding: FoundationTypes of Funding: Foundation Magdalena O. Vda. De Magdalena O. Vda. De

Brockmann (MOB)Brockmann (MOB)

Full and partial scholarships for graduate students already accepted by universities

At least 2 years of work experience Any field of study

except medicine, architecture, sports and fine arts

Must return to Mexico for a minimum of 5 years Must reimburse MOB 30% of the scholarship

within 3 years

www.becasmob.org.mx

Types of Funding: FoundationTypes of Funding: Foundation American Association of American Association of

University Women University Women (AAUW (AAUW Foundation)Foundation)

Fellowship for full-time study or research to support community-based projects that are designed to improve the lives of women and girls in the fellow’s home country.

Female graduate students already accepted by universities

One year: $18,000 for Master’s, $20,000 for Doctorate

$30,000 for post-doctorate

Types of Funding: Mexico Types of Funding: Mexico LoansLoans FIDERH, FUNED & OASFIDERH, FUNED & OAS

FIDERH (Banco de Mexico): loan for graduate degrees Funding for up to 3 years Must repay the loan within 10 years www.fiderh.org.mx

FUNED: loan for students accepted by a university Covers most expenses Must repay the loan within 6 years www.fundacionbeca.net

OAS-PAN: Interest-free loans for Latin American students Must complete studies in 2 years Must repay the loan within 5 years www.oas.org/rowe

Types of Funding: U.S. Types of Funding: U.S. LoansLoans

Most U.S. banks require U.S. citizens or permanent residents to co-sign the loan

Some universities have made arrangements with local banks

For more information on loans, look at International Education Finance Corporation www.iefc.comSallie Mae International www.salliemae.com CitiAssist www.studentloan.citibank.com

Tips for Reducing CostsTips for Reducing Costs

Request an application fee waiver Mail all your applications to one person in the U.S.

to send them to separate universities Prepare and study for admissions exams so

you only have to take them once Research options for taking summer courses Find a job on campus ($1,000-2,000/semester) Apply to be a Resident Assistant after your

first year (save on living expenses)

Homework to get startedHomework to get started Make an advising appointment Visit www.petersons.com and create a list of

potential schoolsFind out the deadlines, costs, and requirements for each school.

Assess how much you (and your family or sponsor) can contribute to your higher education

Visit www.fundingusstudy.org and create a list of possible scholarship opportunities.

The student visaThe student visa 3 types of student visas

F-1 SEVIS I-20 J-1 DS-2019 M-1 SEVISI-20

http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/smxvisitar.html

Thank You!EducationUSA

Liverpool 31, Col. Juárez 06600 México, D.F.

Horario: 11:00 – 17:00 de lunes a viernesTel: 5703-0167, 5080-2801

Email: info@iielatinamerica.orghttp://educationusa.state.gov

http://iielatinamerica.org