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10 Ways International Students Can Prepare for U.S. College Success

By U.S. News & World Report

Understand What’s Ahead at a U.S. College

Many international students are likely unfamiliar with the social and academic expectations of U.S. colleges. Differences may include a greater focus on teamwork and more flexibility when it comes to choosing a major.

The following tips and information, collected from posts on the U.S. News’ International Student Counsel blog, can help prospective students make the most of their time studying in the States.

1. Don’t Forget Freshman Orientation

Freshman orientation is an important step for all incoming college students, including international students. Plan to arrive in the U.S. early enough to attend this valuable event. Orientation provides a chance to get to know your fellow classmates, learn more about school activities and start to adjust before the rigors of the semester begin.

3. Hone English Language Skills

U.S. colleges are social environments, and prospective international students should spend time improving their English skills before they arrive. Students can boost their conversational language skills from their home countries by doing things like reading books or watching American television shows. It will certainly help with it comes time to interact with American classmates.

2. Expect Class Discussions to Count

Discussion between professors and students plays a big role in U.S. college courses, and class participation is often a factor in deciding final grades. Participation may be especially important to success in courses revolving around collaboration or debate.

4. Don’t Count Out 2-Year Programs

Community colleges are a way for international students to get a taste of U.S. college life without the time and cost commitments of a four-year degree. Prospective students interested in starting off at these two-year institutions should research transfer options and know how credits will apply to four-year universities.

5. Learn Your Way Around the Library

Prospective international students should add libraries to their college research checklists. The library can be a great study space and a place to find academic support. It’s also a good resource for borrowing course textbooks for free, which can cost serious money if bought new.

6. Keep an Open Mind About Majors

Unlike many foreign universities, most U.S. colleges aren’t tied to one specific field or specialization and allow students to apply without needing to declare their majors. International students can use this flexibility to spend their freshman year researching subjects of interest or speaking with advisers and professors about potential majors.

7. Explore Extracurricular Options

Along with academics, participating in extracurricular activities is a big part of the U.S. college experience. Joining clubs or sports teams can help students make friends, learn new skills and boost their professional resumes. Take time to do some research about options at your target schools.

8. Learn to Work As a Team

It’s common for professors at U.S. colleges to assign group projects, often in the form of researched presentations. Prospective international students should be comfortable working with a team and realize that certain project grades may be influenced by the work of their peers.

9. Get to Know the International Students Office

Reaching out to this office can provide answers on everything from class availability to visa and housing information. In addition, browsing school websites can offer additional insight into campus life at each and resources for international students.

10. Research On-Campus Employment Options

Getting a student job at college can help international students improve their English language skills and earn a little money. Prospective students can research on-campus career options before applying and get an idea of availability and requirements at their target schools.

Learn More About Studying At a U.S. College

Check out the U.S. News International Student Counsel blog for more information on what it’s like to study in the U.S. Follow U.S. News Education on Facebook and Twitter to stay updated on the latest international student tips and advice.

More from U.S. News

?7 College Orientation Tips for International Students

Timeline: Steps for International Students Starting at a U.S. College

4 Ways International Students Can Explore Job Opportunities

10 Ways International Students Can Prepare for U.S. College Success 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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