US STUDY VISA

About the USA Study Visa

The United States offers several options for higher institution education compared to any other country globally. No matter your choice of learning, there is a perfect course for every interested candidate. So many of the institutions in the US customize their courses to fit the interest of international students. The country is diverse and also the safest location for international students. Different features stand the United States as a destination for international learning.

Understanding The Education System in the USA

It is essential to note that the United States of America has no educational system. The Federal government can influence education only by the funds it offers. There are no national high school graduation exams. Notwithstanding, there are state graduation exams, and every student must pass them. Students at the higher level of education have various options when selecting the university or college to go to. Also, the GPA of every student is essential. The campus culture, number of students enrolled, location, and several other factors influence prospective students’ choices. It should be noted that the public funds some universities and colleges, while the private sector funds some.

Facts About United States

The country has a hot desert climate in the southwest. The average temperature of this location in summer is between 40°C to 25°C. In winter, it is between 18°C to 4°C.
The southeast of the US. has warm/hot, humid climatic conditions. The average temperature during summer is 35°C to 25°C; during winters, it is between 10°C to 0°C.
The midwest also has a humid climate, and the average temperature in summer is between 28°C to 15°C. In winters, it is 0°C to -9°C
The Atlantic coast of the United States has a humid climatic condition, with an average temperature during summer of 30°C to 18°C. In winter, it is between 4°C to -3°C.
There are some changes with the Pacific northwest of the United States, an oceanic climate. The average temperature at this location during summer is 30°C to 18°C. In winters, it is between 4°C to -3°C.
Several cultural backgrounds in the US coexist within the American lifestyle. There are lots of activities to bring everyone together, and if you need to meet new people, you have to partake in those activities actively.
Several sports are being played in the country. The most loved sports are NFL and NBA. Sports is also an important avenue of getting to meet new people.
The USA is full of outdoor activities where different people get together to try new activities and skills.
The nightlife is another lovely aspect of the United States. Most weekends are for socializing and relaxing with friends and classmates at several fun spots. Being open-minded is one of the keys to socialization in the US.

Advantages Of US Study

There are two main advantages of studying in the United States:

● Flexibility

In the United States, higher institutions can be changed mainly after two years of studying an undergraduate course in the same faculty. Some institutions accept credits from other universities for a corresponding course. Therefore, it is not compulsory to finish your 4 years in the same institution. This flexibility allows students to transfer credits to a higher-ranked institution; so far, the student has excellent grades.

Also, there is a flexible choice for students who plan to study an undergraduate course but have not finalized their decisions to apply for the program and select their major later. Students can pick credits of their choice from other departments that catch their interest.

● Diversity and Variety

Students can either study in a large public university or go to a small private university. Also, students are bound to come across diverse students from different countries of the world. The country is a multiracial society that takes in new immigrants regularly. Therefore, students can easily adopt and adapt to different cultures and gain international experiences.

Types of Higher Education Institutes in the USA

State School/college/University

Each state in the US runs at least one college or university that offers excellent education to students at affordable rates. The state and well-equipped fund the university(s) or college(s). Different schools sponsored by the states have their specific selection process. Students have to meet up to a certain percentage to gain admission into colleges and institutions in the USA.

Private university/college

These colleges and universities are run privately and are more expensive than state institutions.

Community Colleges

Community colleges grant a two-year transferrable certification or associate degree. Graduates from community colleges are transferred to a university or a 4-year course college to finish their degree. Credits that were earned in the community college can be transferred. In addition, community colleges offer ESL courses and programs that prepare students ahead of university courses.

Technology Institutes

Technology institutions offer 4-years courses that are related to science and technology.

Liberal Arts College

Students interested in getting a liberal art degree in a single subject, which is their major. However, they will be required to take General Education courses in most of the subjects offered. Liberal arts schools provide a wide range of studies; universities offer the same major in two or different degrees.

Timeline

Most schools in the US accept online applications. Interested candidates would have to go on their website to apply. Students have to create an account on the site to enter their basic information and required documents and pay the application fees. You will be guided on how to go about the application process and its different stages. More relevant information can be found on the website of the school you are applying to.

Application Fee

Every college in the US demand you pay their application fee. However, the amount varies depending on the college and courses you are interested in applying to. Therefore, see the application fee on your preferred college website.

Steps For Application

Search for colleges/universities and choice courses
Contact the schools and visit their websites for more details
List on a sheet the schools you reached out to
Take the entrance exams like SAT, TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, GMAT, GRE, Write SOPs and ask for LORs
Apply to the colleges/universities that catch your interests
Prepare for video interviews with the colleges/universities that shortlisted you
If accepted, then apply for a student visa. Then, again, we can guide you through the application process.

Other Requirements:

Essay: prospective students are required to submit essays. This is an essential part of the admission process. In addition, there are compulsory and optional essays that students will be required to write. Some of the essay topics include skills, the reason for considering the school, career inspirations, strengths and weaknesses, experiences, etc.

SOP: This is the Statement of Purpose. It introduces the prospective student to the college and admission officers of the college/university. SOP is written in first-person narration, describing why you choose to apply to the college. It should contain why you are a match for the school and why your application should be granted. The style of writing could be casual or formal. However, it is meant to reflect your personality.

LOR: This is the Letter of Recommendation. It is a formal letter written by a third person describing the prospective student’s capabilities, characteristics, and qualities. Also, the writer would recommend the person to the college based on these features. For example, the third person could be a school professor, manager of an organization, etc.

Cost of Studying in the USA

Tuition fees for studying in the US vary from college/universities, courses, and the city. The minimum tuition fee could be around Rs 22.82 lakh yearly for an undergraduate course. The cost for the post-graduate course could be around Rs 20.37 lakh each year. However, it should be noted that the cost of schooling in the US does not affect the quality of education. Some state universities could charge a minimum of $10,000 yearly, while private universities can charge as low as $50,000 yearly.

NOTE: Average tuition fees for UG courses (1st year) is dependent on 2282 BE/Btech courses in the USA

*Average year tuition fees for PG courses (1st year) are dependent on 2665 MS courses in the USA

Health insurance

Health insurance is compulsory for every international student. This is because the student would be staying in the country for a longer period. Getting health insurance is between $500 to $1,000 yearly. Before getting a health policy, ensure that it covers personal accidents, medical expenses, dental treatment, passport loss, study interruption, etc. insurance is operated cashless; therefore, students do not necessarily need to pay money at a particular hospitalization time.

Requirement for Student Visa in the United States

Prospective students who wish to attend a college or university in the US will need an F1 visa. Requirements for a student visa include the following:

A Valid Passport: The passport should be valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the period of stay in the country.
Non-immigrant Visa Application: Form DS-160 confirmation page
Application Fee Receipt: Students are required to present this before the interview
Photo: The Consulate in the US will upload your photo; also, you have to fix an appointment with the consulate. A digital photo of the student will be taken during the appointment, and fingerprints scanned. After this process, the prospective student will give an approved receipt from the consulate.
Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (F-1) Student Status: As soon as the prospective student’s information has been entered into the SEVIS database, a SEVIS-generated Form I-20 will be sent to the student. The student and school are meant to sign the Form I-20. Students, spouses, or minor children wish to stay in the US. The student must register with the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS).

Note: Other documentation would be required if necessary. During the personal interview with the consulate, the interviewer may need an additional document. The documents may be to show evidence of your financial or academic status. The document may include the following:

Transcripts
Diplomas
Degrees
Certificates from schools attended
Scores from tests that your preferred US school demanded, such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, or GMAT
Your opinion to leave the United States upon completion of the course
How you will take care of all educational, living, and travel expenses

Steps To Get The Student Visa

Fill out the online Visa Application Form DS-160 with the necessary information.
After completing the online visa application, make a non-refundable visa application fee. The payment should be made before the interview. It can be paid online or through a bank.
Print out the application form confirmation page as a proof on the day of the interview
Book a biometric and interview appointment
Students will be required to appear in person for the Biometric appointment. To get your photograph clicked for the visa and scan your fingerprints.
During the personal interview, the interviewer will ask questions about the student’s choice, finances, the intent to come back, and college. If the student is convinced, the interviewer will keep the passport and get them stamped.
An F-1 student visa can be approved 120 days before school resumption. However, no student will be permitted to travel into the United States 30 days before the resumption date.

Work Permit

In the first year of resumption, no student is allowed to take off-campus employment. After one year of studies, the US Citizenship Immigration Services may approve permission to take off-campus employment under specific circumstances. However, this offer is very rare. F-1 students can accept on-campus employment without any approval from the USCIS.

Students are not allowed to work more than 20 hours weekly. However, during breaks, summer, and holiday periods, students are permitted to work up to 40 hours weekly. Employment can be in the bookstore or cafeteria; students are allowed to work with any commercial organization that offers services to the institution. The consequences of working more than the stipulated 20 hours may lead to the reinstatement of student status to deportation.

Off-campus employment is illegal, such as working in liquor stores, motels, hotels, gas stations, etc.; if any student is caught in off-campus employment, it may lead to deportation or obstruction to future immigration-related work authorization.

Visa for spouse

An F-2 visa can be granted to the student’s spouse or children. This is a dependent visa. A spouse on F-2 status is not permitted to register for a full course. However, they can take vocational or recreational classes like tennis or cooking.

Children on F-2 status are not permitted to attend elementary, middle, or high institutions as a full-time students.

The spouse and children are not permitted to take any employment at any given time.