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5 Tips for Studying STEM Subjects at U.S. Colleges

By U.S. News & World Report

With more than 400,000 international students studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics — also known as STEM — course work in the U.S., and more than 80 percent of international students from Asia pursuing STEM studies, the popularity of these courses continues to grow. If you’re interested in learning more about STEM, follow these five useful tips.

1. Know what STEM means: The term STEM is short for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These programs are considered a priority to the U.S. because they contribute to job creation and innovation. STEM graduates play a role in adding to the competitiveness of the U.S. in the global economy.

[Learn about ways international students can weigh potential majors.]

2. Research how to participate in a STEM program: Research a Student and Exchange Visitor Program certified school that offers STEM courses. As an international student, you can only enroll in a school certified by SEVP.

STEM programs are available at four-year colleges and universities, as well as most community colleges. Some vocational schools also offer STEM programs. You must do your own research on U.S. schools to make sure the offerings and requirements at those schools meet both your interests and academic needs.

3. Know what qualifies as a STEM degree: In 2012, as part of the U.S. plan to attract good, hardworking international students, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security expanded its list of STEM programs. The enhanced list includes STEM-designated degree programs like pharmaceutical sciences, econometrics and quantitative economics.

[Get tips on successfully earning a STEM associate degree. ]

4. Maintain your immigration status while performing lab work: Many STEM courses require you to participate in laboratory work like data and specimen collection, observation or experimentation. It is a good practice to always check with your designated school official about full course of study requirement for your degree, particularly because advanced degrees have different requirements from undergraduate degrees.

5. Get hands-on training: Many international students are eligible for up to 12 months of optional practical training upon completion of a degree. International students who receive a STEM-designated degree — see the link above — may qualify to participate in an OPT STEM extension beyond the initial 12 months of OPT. This enables them to remain in the U.S. for up to 29 months after graduation.

[Learn how to maintain your student immigration status.]

In order to qualify, you must have obtained a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in a STEM program listed on the Department of Homeland Security’s STEM-designated degree program list, your employer must use the E-Verify program and you must not have already received a 17-month extension of OPT. Additionally, you’ll have to obtain work authorization through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and pay a filing fee.

For more information on how and where to pursue STEM studies in the U.S., visit the Department of Homeland Security’s Study in the States website.

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?7 College Orientation Tips for International Students

5 Tips for Studying STEM Subjects at U.S. Colleges originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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