Elementary and Secondary Education

In the United States, the law requires students to attend school from the age of 6 to 16. Parents have the option to send their children to public, private or federal schools based on their preference. Elementary education, which starts at age 6, is mandatory and goes on until the ages of 11 or 12. Secondary education is broken down into two levels: junior high school, which serves as a 2-year transitional period after the completion of elementary education and allows students to adjust to the change in curriculum and school environment, and high school, which is typically 4 years long and represents the final stage of secondary education. Additionally, some states offer job training as part of the curriculum, providing students with practical skills and knowledge.

Higher Education

When it comes to higher education options in the United States, there is a wide variety of choices available to students based on their individual needs and goals.

Community colleges, for example, are public institutions that offer 2-year associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates, and credits earned can be transferred to a 4-year bachelor’s degree program at another college or university.

Public universities, on the other hand, are generally state-funded and offer more economical options, with programs ranging from bachelor’s to doctoral degrees.

Private universities, which are financed through tuition, alumni donations, grants and other sources, tend to have smaller class sizes but are often equipped with advanced technological and research resources.

Additionally, there are also technical colleges, such as MIT or Virginia Polytechnic College, which offer specialized 4-year degree programs in engineering, technology, and physical sciences. Lastly, liberal arts colleges, which are usually privately owned, offer 4-year undergraduate degrees in humanities, natural sciences, music, mathematics, languages, and social sciences.

Financial aid and scholarships for international students

Many institutions in the United States offer a variety of financial assistance options for international students, including:

• Grants: These are typically issued by the government to provide students with monetary assistance to pay for their university education, based on their financial need.

• Scholarships: These are financial aids designed to support a student’s education based on academic or other achievements.

• Tuition waivers: These are granted by the university and reduce the amount of tuition fees that the institution usually charges.

• Studentships: These types of funding are usually provided for a specific project and cover the cost of tuition and research materials, along with a stipend allowance for the student.

• Fellowships: These financial assistance options are mostly offered to graduate students for pursuing further research work and elevating their credentials and experience.

• Assistantships: Students who engage in research or teaching at the university within an academic capacity alongside their graduate education may receive financial aid for their contribution.

• Privately funded scholarships: These financial awards are funded by individuals, companies, organizations, and foundations to provide assistance on a personal level, and can be specific to certain fields of study.

It’s important to note that there may be eligibility criteria to meet to be considered for these forms of financial assistance. It is highly recommended to check with universities and get a clear understanding of the aid options that are available and applicable to you.

With many students applying for financial support, international students should start the process of researching and applying for financial aid and scholarships well in advance, ideally a year before to the start of the academic session.