University, Visas & Scholarships
Complete roadmap for U.S. international students: F-1 Visas, CPT/OPT rules, NACES evaluations, and scholarships.
International students in the U.S. must hold a valid **Form I-20** issued by an SEVP-certified institution. Active work is restricted: on-campus work is capped at **20 hours/week** during academic terms. Off-campus work is strictly forbidden unless authorized via CPT or OPT.
GPA & Admission Probability Estimator
Input your U.S. equivalent GPA (4.0 scale) and TOEFL score to evaluate admission probabilities.
F-1 Student Visa & Employment Authorization
To study in the U.S., you must obtain an F-1 visa. Once enrolled, work options are strictly regulated to maintain lawful status:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT): Off-campus work authorization for internships directly related to your major. Must be authorized by DSO on I-20 before starting.
- Optional Practical Training (OPT): Grants **12 months** of work authorization after graduation. You must apply up to 90 days before graduation.
- STEM OPT Extension: Graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields qualify for an additional **24-month extension** (total 36 months of OPT work authorization). Requires an E-Verify employer and filing Form I-983.
Assistantships & Expat Funding
Most U.S. universities do not offer need-based federal financial aid (FAFSA) to international students. Instead, funding is secured through institutional merit and research grants:
- Graduate Assistantships (TA/RA): Teaching and Research Assistantships are the primary source of funding. They typically waive **100% of university tuition fees** and pay a monthly living stipend in exchange for 20 hours/week of work.
- Fellowships: Prestige merit awards given by departments that cover tuition with no work obligations.
- Private Expat Grants: Organizations like the Fulbright Program, Aga Khan Foundation, or AAUW offer scholarships for foreign nationals studying in the U.S.
Tuition Costs & In-State Waivers
U.S. public universities charge two rates: **In-State Tuition** (for state residents) and **Out-of-State Tuition** (for international/non-resident students), which can be 2 to 3 times higher.
- H-4 In-State Waivers: Expat dependent children on H-4 visas are often classified as out-of-state students. However, states like California (AB 540), Texas, and New Jersey allow H-4 students to pay in-state rates if they attended and graduated from a high school in that state.
- Expat Tax Treaties: Bilateral treaties (e.g. US-India Article 21) exempt certain student/scholar wages and scholarship funding from federal income taxes up to standard limits.
NACES (WES/ECE) Degree Evaluations
Before enrolling in a U.S. graduate program or applying for professional licensing, you must convert your foreign credentials:
- NACES Members: The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services provides evaluations. Major members include **WES (World Education Services)** and **ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators)**.
- Evaluation Types: Request a **Course-by-Course** evaluation. This translates your foreign classes and marks into standard U.S. semester credits and a U.S. 4.0 GPA equivalent, which is required by university admissions.
Standardized Exams
- SAT / ACT: Required for most competitive undergraduate college admissions.
- GRE / GMAT: Required by many competitive graduate engineering, business, and MBA programs.
- TOEFL / IELTS: Mandatory english tests. Standard graduate targets are TOEFL **90+** or IELTS **6.5+**.
Admissions Checklist
- Academic Transcripts.
- WES / ECE Evaluation.
- Test Scores (GRE/TOEFL).
- Statement of Purpose (SOP).
- 3 Recommendation Letters.
- Financial Solvency Proof (for I-20).