studying in America

[gillybeanz]

Does anybody know anything about the American system and fees.
Or can point me in the direction of reliable information please.
I'm not sure of area and it's only a consideration for the future in years to come, so very early days.
I promised to ask though.

[Martyngibson]

Only anecdotally. I have a relative whose son went to an American university. It cost them around £35,000 a year to send him, including all fees, accommodation etc. They put the cost of this on their mortgage, as they couldn't not access the loans system. Were promised a 'bursary'. But it was derisory.

[Needmoresleep]

You must get start here [[https://educationusa.state.gov/centers/us-uk-fulbright-commission-educationusa-london]]

[Needmoresleep]

Sorry about typo. Link is a good starting point. US college applications require a lot of time and effort (and money). Finding a UK course which offers the chance of studying in the US for a year, can be a better option.

[crimsonlake]

My son is studying abroad in the US at the moment. The course he is on in the UK offers the chance of studying abroad.

[gillybeanz]

Martyn

Thanks for your honesty, I hope she changes her mind in that case as no way could we afford that kind of money. I was hoping it might be a bit like here where you have a student loan.

Needmoresleep

Many thanks, I'll start here and hope for the best

[Pythonesque]

I remember someone telling me the scholarship their son went to the US on meant it was cheaper than him studying in the UK - even allowing for flights back and forth. So there can be options for some ...

[Leeds2]

My DD is in her second year of a four year degree at a US uni. PM me if you have any specific questions, and I will do my best to help!
Fulbright Commission is a great place to start for information. They hold an Open Day in London every year, where there are lectures which explain things like finance and the entrance exams.
If finance is/might be a problem, look for unis which offer a "needs blind" entrance procedure. This essentially means that they decide who they want, based on the application, and will then help that student financially so that they can attend. Students are usually expected to help the uni with things such as Open Days as a means of paying back. This isn't usually very onerous.
There is also a scheme whereby students at state schools in the UK can apply to go to the US and have all of their expenses met. It is hugely competitive, but I do know of one girl who received a 100% expenses offer, and one who received a lesser, but still considerable, offer. Can't remember the name of the scheme, but will see if I can google it.
Also a good idea to consider doing a year in the US as part of a UK degree. Know someone doing this from Royal Holloway.

[Sunnyshiny]

I'm fairly certain university in the US is far, far more expensive than the UK.

My cousin's have $90,000+ loans they are paying off. (I think it might be a lot more than that actually)

I'm not sure, it might be different for UK students abroad, possibly with a scholarship.

[gillybeanz]

Thank you very much for the replies, she's only 14 and knows what she wants, not sure where to study though.
Has asked me to help her gather info.
It may end up as Post Grad as some only offer this and it may be as good to study undergrad in UK
Plus a lot will probably change in the meantime.

[user1471450935]

gillybeanz
Not US, but we have relatives in London, Ontario, they where keen for Ds1 to study for engineering degree in Canada, so he could access jobs there, don't ask why.
It was roughly 24000 Canadian Dollars/year, 19000 US dollars, which was roughly £12240.
Though there are scholarships available, for sport and academic, they are obviously limited and highly competitive.
So none are total funded.
Worst thing you can't get UK student funding, unlike EU countries, so its pay out of your own pocket, so A) rich parents, NOT US, or B) take out commercial loan/mortgage, interest etc.
He has just arranged student finance for UK, non engineering course for this September.
You either need to be lucky, have US citizenship or bloody rich for it to work. Even our relatives agreed Canada/US was out of range and not a sensible option.
Sorry don't want to rain on your parade, but it wasn't as easy as some posters make it sound above. But no FullBright option for Canada.

[BubblesBuddy]

Only the very top universities in the USA are needs blind -think Ivy League. My DD got a place at a top Private arts university a few years ago: $20,000 per semester x 8. They recommended $15,000 p/a living expenses. Plus flights. Plus art materials. The living expenses would be more now and no doubt the course fees too. We thought it would cost $70,000 x 4 years minimum.

There are no undergrad scholarships that are available to cover this sort of money. DD was offered a scholarship of $3000 per annum by the university. DH is a high earner but it was impossible to justify these sums of money.

If you can get into the wildly competive needs blinds universities then it’s worth it. If you cannot, it’s expensive. The Fulbright Commission is a lot better advising on post grad, where you stand a chance. At the undergrad meeting I went to, most parents were bitterly disappointed and were not going to apply. There is nothing much for UK undergrads unless you maybe are a Mormon or a USA War Veteran etc etc etc. It’s a rich persons destination by and large. I trawled through hundreds of awarding bodies and we qualified for $0. Nothing!

Do a year abroad from a uk university. At least we don’t have guns on a campus! Look on the bright side!

[user1471450935]

Gilly
Sorry just looked for this year
Canada-international costs- undergraduate- range from $17800CAN to $53000CAN (Education/Nursing to Denistry)
USA- same as above- from £15000 to £50000, average is £22000 or for Yale/Harvard type degree £30000.
Sorry but both are per year.
Suddenly remember why we abandon Canada for the joys of Uk tuition fees/maintenance loans.
We earned £50000ish and there was no real assistance, apart from scholarships.
Sorry, it is expensive and highly off putting, or was to DS1 and us/relatives

[TheRagingGirl]

It would help if you told us something about the area of study your DD is interested in. And why she's thinking about the US?

Contrary to popular belief and the PM's latest attempt to talk down British universities, the UK system is world class and, in world terms, excellent value for money. Compared to American universities, it's cheap in costs, and excellent value for money.