United States

The U.S. is a country of 50 states covering a vast swath of North America, with Alaska in the northwest and Hawaii extending the nation’s presence into the Pacific Ocean.

The USA is a striking name providing perfect education to the youths from across the globe. In fact, the quality of the education offered by the USA universities is beyond comparison. The scaled-up job opportunities anticipated from a USA degree cannot be expected from any other country. Let’s understand the unmatched benefits of studying in the USA .

With the ever-increasing number of international students in America, a study conducted in May 2017 showed that around 206,698 students were from India that year alone. The maximum number of students studying STEM (Science. Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in the US are from India, at an overwhelming figure of 84%.

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• High-end Education System
• A Reputed Degree Valued Across the World
• Dedicated Services to Support International Students
• Cultural Diversity
• Admirable Campus Life
• Wide Variety of Available Courses

With the ever-increasing number of international students in America, a study conducted in May 2017 showed that around 206,698 students were from India that year alone. The maximum number of students studying STEM (Science. Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in the US are from India, at an overwhelming figure of 84%.

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Are you aspiring to go the USA for your education? Are you interested in exploring universities in the US for higher education? Do you already have a course or university in mind? You can be reassured that with our guidance, your career goals will be focused towards the right direction.

List Of Courses:

• Engineering and Computer Science
• MBBS
• Liberal Arts
• Applied Sciences

The versatile education system of the USA offers a huge range of valuable courses opening the doors for much better employment opportunities. The greatly popular among them that are mostly preferred by  international students are

You may find a huge difference in the experience of studying in the USA and studying in India or any other country like the UK and Canada. The residential life, climatic conditions, weekend funs, communication patterns, holidays and traditions, all can bring a new, exciting experience if you fly to the USA with the intent of studying abroad. The sudden change can put you into a state of distress at first, however, as time passes, you may start enjoying the distinct learning experience and may crave to explore more and more.

Studying in USA is a costly affair. The costs associated to study in USA do not allow many aspirants to achieve their goal of study in USA despite being deserving and skillful. To ease the financial issues of such students, the USA offers great scholarship options. The academic capabilities and past records of the students are the crucial factors that decide the eligibility of the students to leverage these scholarships.

The ever-growing economy of USA holds plenty of career prospects for the talents interested and skilled in different fields. The USA has many different post-study work visas and PR options to offer to the international students willing to explore USA’s job market for great career opportunities post the completion of their studies. The main one’s of them are

• OPT (Optical Practical Training)
• H-1B visa
• and Green Card

When studying in the US, students have limited opportunities to work on campus and, off campus. The Designated School Official (DSO) can advise you on authorized work you can take up as a student.

However, after graduation in the USA or other countries, securing a job is currently tricky owing to the political scenario. Highly competitive candidates with sought-after skills and experience will make their mark undoubtedly.

There are several temporary work visas that the US government offers. Each facilitates a specific period of stay and has different sets of pre-requisites. An applicant must understand the requirement and choose the best fit. The type of work, the relationship with the employer, the duration of stay are some factors that decide the type of visa.

These are some options to consider:

• E2 and E1 Visas – For individuals who wish to invest in a business or engage in a trade in the US
• H1B Visa – For speciality occupations
• H2B Visa – For non-agricultural, skilled and non-skilled workers

Exchange Visitor Visa (J1 Visa Permit) – Individuals who are in the US for educational purposes like internships, or teaching in a university, and more.

Non-US citizens who wish to be authorised to settle in the US for work must consider being a permanent resident.

A Green card is the permit to live and work in the US for an unlimited period. EB-1, 2, 3, and 4 Green Cards are different employment-based authorizations to live in the US.

The work permit for the USA is also called an Employment Authorization Document or EAD. This is a photo identity card issued by the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

1. A duly filled in Form I-765 must be submitted. I-765 is an application for employment authorization in the United States of America and can be downloaded from the USCIS website.
2. Attach documents that substantiate your eligibility for work.
3. Remit the USCIS fees by check or money order. Debit cards, credit cards, or e-transfer is allowed from banks in the US, in the case of e-filed applications.
4. The application form with all the supporting documents can either be mailed or be submitted online.

All information about the application process and required documents are available in the Instructions for I-765 which can be viewed in the USCIS website.

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A prominent factor that makes the USA a favorite student destination for many students is the possibility to work after studies. The USA allows international students to stay and work in the country after they complete their studies. There are many work options that enable you to join employment in the USA post your studies of which the most prevalent is OPT (Optional Practical Training). The other options are an H-1B visa and a green card.

OPT is a one-year work permit using which international students can gain some valuable work experience in the USA. OPT is of two types-

• Pre-completion OPT
• Post-completion OPT

The pre-completion OPT is utilized during the studies and post-completion OPT is to be used after the completion of the degree. A pre-completion OPT allows working only up to 20 hours per week (during running sessions).

The permitted stay duration associated with an OPT is one year, however, the visa can be extended up to two years if required.

Please note, the only students pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) courses are eligible to extend their OPT.

Prerequisites to Get an OPT

• The student applying for OPT must be an F1-visa holder
• The student’s selected employment must be relevant to the course he completed
• The OPT must be applied before the completion of the course. The student must get a job within 90 days of the completion of the study program

The F1 student visa can be transferred to an H-1B visa if the student has a sponsoring US employer. The visa permits you to reside and work in the country for up to six years. The visa does not allow you to change your employer in the associated six years duration and if you wish to do so, you are required to apply for a new H-1B visa.

A green card is a key to permanent residency in the US and is the dream of every non-native resident residing in the US for a long time. The cardholder is free to reside in the country for an indefinite period and work anywhere. Green cards are generally difficult to attain and the process takes a lot of time to complete.

Expense

Once you made the decision to study in the United States of America, you have also decided to give yourself the best. However, the best education system in the world comes with a price, which may be deemed expensive by many. However, it is a choice to invest in oneself, and there are several ways in which one can minimise the living expenses, earn and save while studying.

A high living cost is a major concern for many international students seeking to study in the USA. Although the cost can vary depending on the city you live in, you need around 1,000 USD on average to regulate the expenses apart from your tuition fees. The overall living cost can be divided into many factors including accommodation, traveling, food, groceries, entertainment, stationery, and so on. The approximate monthly expense pertaining to various factors can be seen in the below table

Of course, the list is not comprehensive, however, it will give you a general idea of the basic expenses you have to manage while studying in the USA.

Program Fee

School fees in the USA can go up to US$60,000 in the top tier universities. There are many economical options. Public universities, funded by the State are affordable while the private universities are expensive.

The cost of education depends upon the program, the university, and the city. Here are some sample estimates from popular cities in the US.

Living Expenses

Expenses might differ based on whether you live in the urban or suburban areas. Living in urban areas is expensive. Students can choose to stay on-campus or rent an accommodation outside. Food, transport, and entertainment contribute to other expenses.

Living on campus is economical with at least $400 to $500 for shared rooms. When renting out an apartment, you could spend between $600 to $3000.

There are utility charges like electricity ($50 to $100), internet ($45 to $50), phone ($50 USD/month).

Be prepared for miscellaneous expenses.

Financial Aids

Some institutions provide financial assistance to international students. Students should consult their universities to identify if assistantships, fellowships or partial waiver of fees is possible. Universities may have funds allocated to help international students on a need basis and merit basis.  Private, non-profit, or corporate scholarships may also be available for deserving candidates.

Additional costs

The additional costs involve secondary expenses and depend on how much you prefer to spend. The factor include

• Traveling expenses if you choose to fly to your country during vacations.
• The money you spend on buying new furniture, PC, car, etc.
• Medical expenses such as routine checkups, eye-care, dental, and so on.
• Your vacation and weekend trips.
• Social gatherings and birthday parties and so on.

The above list demonstrates the need to search for a way to support yourself financially. Let’s explore what are the earning options for you.

Earning

Once you made the decision to study in the United States of America, you have also decided to give yourself the best. However, the best education system in the world comes with a price, which may be deemed expensive by many. However, it is a choice to invest in oneself, and there are several ways in which one can minimise the living expenses, earn and save while studying.

Earning options

The US government provides privilege to the F1 visa holders to join employment in the country.  The employment options can be categorized into on-campus and off-campus and provide the restricted working permission of up to 20 hours per week (during term time).

On-Campus Opportunities

The prime purpose for international students being education, USCIS authorizes only on- campus employment for F-1/J-1 visa holders only during the first year. A maximum of 20 hours per week during regular sessions and 40 hours per week during holidays and breaks are permitted. UCIS also allows off-campus options that are related to the candidates’ education in the form of internships and assistantships.

• The on-campus job options include working in libraries, computer labs, cafeterias, receptionist jobs, etc.
• On-campus jobs – approximate earning
• S7 to $12 per hour that can give you around $560 per month (if you work for 20 hours a week).

Off-campus job options

The off-campus job options include working in malls, restaurants, as a customer care executive, as a cashier, and so on.

Please note, it is illegal to work off-campus without permission from respective authorities (especially if you are on an F1 visa) and you may encounter serious hazards if you found guilty.

Off-campus Jobs – Approximate Earning

Although, the pay may vary depending on the negotiation and the minimum wages associated with the job role, the average pay for an off-campus employment can be around $5 to $10 per hour.

International student work rights

The US government allows international students to work in the country during their studies. Whether you want to regulate your living expenses or add some valuable work experience to your CV you have options to do so. However, there are regulations you are supposed to abide by if you work as a student visa holder.

Employment options

As an F1 visa holder, you have four options to join employment in the country which include

• On-Campus Employment
• Off-Campus Employment
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Optional Practical Training (OPT)
• On-campus employment

On-campus employment is the most convenient type of employment available for F1 visa holders. It allows you to work somewhere within your school premises (such as in the library or cafeteria). On-campus employment can be started as soon as your class starts. The working hours are restricted (up to 20 hours per week) during sessions but can be extended in holidays and breaks. You can join more than one on-campus job but the total working hours should not go beyond the allowed time i.e. 20 hours per week.

Off-campus Employment

The students can join part-time employment outside of the school’s campus. The job can be joined only after completing one academic year and in certain circumstances such as loss of financial help, increment in the tuition fees, or the cost of living. Approval from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is mandatory to commence off-campus employment and the students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week if their request gets approved.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

The CPT gives you the chance to gain real-world work experience (such as an internship) in the field pertaining to your study. In contrast to the other employment options, the CPT does not impose any restriction on the working hours. The student must complete one full academic year to get qualified for a CPT except under specific conditions.

Please note, if you undergo a full-time CPT for a year or above, you lose your eligibility to get an OPT.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

OPT is a 12 months work permit that allows international students to gain some valuable work experience in their field of study. OPT is of two types-

• Pre-completion OPT
• Post-completion OPT

The pre-completion OPT is used while studying and permits students to work only up to 20 in a week. Post-completion OPT is to be used after the completion of the degree and allows full-time employment.

The general validity of an OPT is one year and can be extended if required. However, only the students pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) courses are eligible to extend their OPT.

While the cost of living is high, and education is expensive, students do have various options to earn and save. Our counsellors can advise you on economic stay and study options in the US. Call us today!