Studying in the United States

By Farouk Yahaya · Updated 5 October 2026

Students walking through Sather Gate, the ornate iron entrance to the University of California, Berkeley campus, at dusk

The United States hosts a very large number of international students. Its system is big and flexible, and at graduate level the funding can be generous. Costs are high, though, and the system works differently from most others, so it is worth understanding both sides before applying.

How the system is organised

US higher education ranges from small colleges to very large research universities, so the choice is enormous. Undergraduate study is flexible and often lets you try several subjects before you specialise. Graduate study, and the PhD in particular, is a strength: many programmes fully fund doctoral students through assistantships in exchange for teaching or research.

Costs

Costs vary enormously. Private universities can be very expensive, and public ones differ in price. Undergraduate study is generally costly for international students, but graduate funding changes the calculation. Many PhD programmes cover tuition and pay a stipend, which can make a US doctorate more affordable than a self-funded Masters elsewhere. Look at the specific programme instead of assuming one price for the whole country.

Each university publishes an estimated cost of attendance for international students, covering tuition, fees, housing, food, insurance and other expenses. That estimate matters twice: it is what you budget against, and universities generally expect your financial evidence to cover it before they issue your immigration document.

Funding

Graduate assistantships fund many PhD students and some Masters students in return for teaching or research work. Universities also offer scholarships and fellowships to strong applicants, and external and international programmes such as Fulbright bring students to the US from many countries. For graduate study, ask each programme directly what funding is typical, because it varies widely.

Route	Level	What to know
Teaching or research assistantship	Mainly PhD, some Masters	Usually tuition plus a stipend in return for set hours of work. Ask what is guaranteed and for how many years
Fulbright Foreign Student Program	Graduate study or research	Run through the Fulbright commission or US embassy in your country, with deadlines that vary by country
Knight-Hennessy Scholars	Any graduate degree at Stanford	Separate application alongside your Stanford programme application
University fellowships	Graduate	Often awarded automatically at admission; ask whether you need to apply separately
Need-based and merit aid	Undergraduate	Policies for international students differ a great deal between colleges. Check each one

Hoover Tower at Stanford University, a sandstone tower with a red tiled dome, against a blue sky with palm leaves in the foreground — Hoover Tower at Stanford, the university where Knight-Hennessy Scholars study.

Admissions and testing

US admissions often look beyond grades to essays, references and sometimes standardised tests. Requirements vary by programme, so check each one. International applicants are usually asked for an English proficiency test. Allow plenty of time, since gathering essays, references and test scores takes longer than most people expect. Our guide to statements of purpose and personal statements explains what US graduate programmes usually mean by each.

Form I-20 and your funding evidence

Once you are admitted, the university issues Form I-20, the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. According to the Department of Homeland Security, it records your programme start date, the school’s estimate of tuition and other expenses, and your financial resources. Universities usually ask for evidence that those costs are covered before issuing it. If a relative is paying, that usually means their bank statement and a letter of support.

The letter below is illustrative. The names and amounts are invented; follow your university’s own instructions on format.

Letter of financial support

To the International Student Office, Lakeview State University

1I, Grace Achieng Otieno, confirm that I will support my daughter, Mercy Atieno Otieno (date of birth 12 March 2003), during her Master of Science in Public Health, starting in August 2027.

2I will provide USD 31,000 for the first academic year, to cover the amount not met by her departmental scholarship of USD 18,000, as shown in your estimated cost of attendance of USD 49,000.

3My bank statement for the last three months is attached, together with a letter from my employer confirming my salary.

4I can be contacted at the address and telephone number below.

Signed and dated, Grace Achieng Otieno

1Who and for what: the sponsor's full name, the student's name exactly as in the passport, the programme and the start date.
2The amount: a specific figure linked to the university's cost estimate. Scholarship plus sponsor support should add up to at least the full cost.
3Evidence: the letter is a promise; the bank statement and income proof show the promise can be kept.
4Contact details: officials may check, so give details that work.

Visas and staying on

International students generally study on a student visa, which requires admission to an approved institution and proof that you can fund your studies. Most degree students hold F-1 status. Before the visa is issued you must pay the I-901 SEVIS fee, and you attend a visa interview where the officer may ask about your study plans and your funding.

Dates that limit your plan

On 5 October 2026 the Study in the States site said F-1 visas can be issued up to 365 days before your course start date, but you may enter the United States no more than 30 days before the start date on your Form I-20. On arrival, carry your passport, visa, signed Form I-20 and proof of your funding. Check studyinthestates.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov for current rules.

There are also arrangements that let graduates gain work experience for a period after finishing, with further options in some fields. The main one is Optional Practical Training (OPT): the Department of Homeland Security says up to 12 months can be authorised for each higher level of study, and graduates with a qualifying STEM degree may apply for a 24-month extension. Immigration and visa rules change, so use official US government sources for current details.

A lecturer speaking to a small class of students seated at wooden desks in a bright classroom — Teaching assistantships often mean leading small classes or marking for a course like this one.

Work during study

On-campus jobs are the usual option for F-1 students. Study in the States says you may not work more than 20 hours a week on campus while school is in session. Off-campus work is far more restricted and generally needs specific authorisation, such as practical training linked to your programme. Our guide to working while you study covers the wider question of balancing work and study.

Practical points

Assessment is continuous, with class participation and regular assignments as well as final exams. Healthcare is expensive, and universities usually require you to have insurance, so include it in your budget. The country is vast and life differs a great deal between regions and cities, which makes the location of a university worth researching as carefully as the university itself.

The UC Berkeley campus at sunset, with lit paths, lawns and university buildings — UC Berkeley at dusk. Campus life, cost and climate vary a great deal between US regions.

At graduate level especially, the programme’s funding and location, together with the current visa and post-study work rules, can change the picture considerably, so check those for each programme you are considering. For PhD applicants, our guide to finding a funded PhD covers how to compare offers.