Funding Undergraduate Study

Tuition and fees can vary significantly between universities. They may be set on a semester/yearly rate or calculated on a per-credit basis so ensure you are comparing like with like when looking at different institutions.

Funding is a challenge for both international and US students alike. However it is important to realise that scholarships are competitive and that students may need to 'collect' funding from a variety of sources. Therefore, it is important that students start their search for funding early.

Do not let the tuition rate put you off applying to study in the US. With funding being the norm rather than the exception in many fields you may find you are able to fund or part fund your studies through financial aid or scholarships.

Average tuition and fees

• $6,000 or less (two-year public, out-of-state)
• $17,725 (four-year public, out-of-state / often the same for international students)
• $25,143 (four-year private)
• Remember to factor in the cost of living, books and personal expenses which can be $8,500-$10,000 per year depending where in the US you will be based

Four main sources of funding

1. Personal/Family funds: Times have changes and this may not be viable for many families
2. Loans: Most US lenders require a US citizen to co-sign loans. Therefore Irish citizens must take out private loans from an Irish bank. If you are a dual US-Irish citizen, you can take out a loan from a US lender and also apply for US federal loans through the www.fafsa.ed.gov website
3. Scholarships & need-based aid from US universities: Many universities offer a number of scholarships which are both merit and need based (depending on an individual's family circumstances) for International students and this can be a key factor in choosing which institution to attend.
4. Scholarships from external funding bodies: Usually merit or niche based

University Funding

Often the process for applying is straightforward and integrated into the admissions application. It may be as simple as submitting your application early and wirting an additional essay or two.

Funding is awarded on the basis of:

• Academic merit - based on GPA & SAT scores or academic track record.
• Financial need - based on your family financial circumstances and situation. Sometimes work- study may be part of the package
• Niche criteria
• Athletic ability

Firstly, its important to identify what's on offer. You will need to check with multiple offices within an institution about funding opportunities for incoming students and how you might go about applying for these.Your job is to be proactive and find out the information you need.

Where to go?

• The Financial Aid Office typically handles the applications for university-based funding and distribution to students. The office website should be the main source of information on the cost of attendance and scholarship opportunities.As you investigate funding make sure to see check that what you are applying for is open to international students -not everything is.
• The Undergraduate Admissions Office typically provides information about applying to the universitybut may also have information about applying for financial aid for first-year students
• The Internataional Student Office will likely provide a variety of services, programs and advising for international students and may have specific information relating to funding for international students.
• The Department in which you intend to study may also offer scholarships to students in the department.

Scholarships from External Funding Bodies

• These include a wide range of professional, charitable organisations external to the university.
• These are often niche scholarships based on mission of a particular funding body
• Eligibility requirements may include merit, need, particular country of origin, ethnicity, religious faith, interest in a particular field, gender, interests, talents etc.
• If you are unique in any way (and simply by being an international students, you will be) there is likely to be a funding body with scholarships out there
• It will require time and dedication on your part to find relevant scholarships and submit a separate application - there are thousands of them out there.
• Because of the time needed to seek them out, we would encourage students to apply for university funding first and then for external funding
• Notre Dame are offering scholarships to Irish students for a fully funded Undergraduate Degree.

Sports Scholarships

Please click here for general information and the process for finding a sports scholarship.

Athletic associations govern college sports and set rules regarding scholarships and athletic recruitment. There are a number of associations that colleges or universities can join, most notably:

• National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) – There are over 900 member universities and 250+ provisional members classified within three NCAA divisions (Division I being the most competitive). Athletic standards are high and the level of competition is intense. Only students with the very highest standard of ability tend to be recruited.

• National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) – There are around 350, mostly smaller colleges in the NAIA, organised by districts. The level of athletic ability is still high, although the standard is not generally as high as for NCAA teams.

• National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) – Member colleges are accredited two-year institutions. The NJCAA is also comprised of three divisions, with scholarships offered only at the Division I and II levels. Division I colleges may offer full scholarships, and Division II may offer partial scholarships (tuition or fees and books).

Students hoping to be considered for a sports scholarship must meet normal university/college admissions requirements and continue to obtain satisfactory grades at university in order to receive and retain their scholarships.  The athletic associations set their own minimum academic requirements, including minimum admissions test scores.

Sports scholarships consultants provide assistance in getting scholarships for athletes. They usually charge a fee for this service and this can differ depending on the organisation.

• CollegeBoundUSA - www.collegeboundusa.net Contact: Ray Curran 085-240 6910
• Pass4Soccer - www.pass4soccer.com Contact: Rory O'Connor 083-439 2612

Tips for success

• Start your scholarship search early
• Be willing to put in extra time and effort to seek out and apply for scholarships
• Be flexible in choosing universities - Most US universities (both public and private) have excellent teaching standards and facilities so it is important to consider institutions that offer better financial aid to students even though they might not neccessarily be the 'big name' universities. With over 4,000 higher level institutions in the US there is something out there for everyone!
• You may need to 'collect' funding from multiple sources
• Other sources of funding may likely be available once the student goes to the US, but these cannot be taken into account at visa interview stage where the student must prove he/she has adequate funding to survive in the US