Financial Assistance

The University at Albany has limited scholarship funding for new, incoming international undergraduate students. 

The University at Albany offers a limited number of scholarships and assistantships. At the undergraduate level, most scholarship awards are based on merit or need at the time of admission. For graduate students, assistantships may be available at the department level. Consult your academic department for any further details.  Graduate students can also review funding opportunities on The Graduate School's website, including the Dean's Merit Scholarship.

You can review additional information on University at Albany scholarships.

Loans through private companies often require a U.S. citizen or permanent resident co-signer. These loans typically are subject to higher interest rates than U.S. government loans, for which non-immigrant international students are not eligible.

• Internationalstudent.com's International Student Loan Center explains loans and helps you search for loans which may be available to you.
• This article breaks down a number of loan options for international students.
• International students at the University at Albany may qualify for MPower Financing education loans. Visit their website for more information.
• Sallie Mae, a national education loan lender, may offer loans to international students. More details are available on their website.  
• Your U.S. local bank or credit union may also offer educational loans.

Disclaimer for F-1 International Students Considering Private Loans:

Before taking out a private loan, including loans from third-party administering and/or lending organizations, please carefully consider the following important factors:

1. Loan Repayment Terms: Depending on the interest rates and the repayment period of your loan, your monthly loan payments may be relatively high in your estimation. Additionally, payments could begin immediately upon disbursement, which may place financial strain on your budget. Please review the terms of your loan carefully to ensure that you are prepared for the financial commitment.
2. Loan Disbursement Delays and Individual Need Adjustments for private loans requiring University certification: In accordance with federal loan regulations and the UAlbany's Financial Aid Office procedures, the disbursement of private loans, including coverage for living expenses, may be subject to a required waiting period of up to several weeks. Additionally, the amount of the loan disbursed may vary based on your individual cost of attendance and demonstrated financial need as ultimately determined by the  UAlbany Financial Aid Office. Please be aware that your disbursement amount may differ from other international students depending on your unique financial circumstances.

If you eventually decide to accept a private loan offer you should be prepared to have one to three months of liquid funds (cash) for personal/living expenses until you receive your loan disbursement.  Additionally, if the cost of attendance and demonstrated financial need calculations differ between the UAlbany Financial Aid Office and your private lender, you may need to adjust your monthly budget of living expenses accordingly. You are strongly encouraged to consult with a financial advisor and the UAlbany's Financial Aid Office before committing to any private loan to ensure that you fully understand the terms and financial obligations involved.

Harvard University has one of the most comprehensive lists of external competitive scholarships for international students in general (i.e. not just Harvard students). The list is organized by geographic region and is referenced below:

• All Countries (All Citizenships)
• Africa
• Asia and the South Pacific
• Canada
• Eastern and Central Europe
• Latin America and the Caribbean
• Middle East, Near East and North Africa
• Western Europe 

There are also several databases online to help you search for external scholarships, including:

• Fastweb
• The College Board
• Scholarships.com
• Scholarships360.org

The University at Albany offers emergency funding resources for small needs and is normally short-term, one-time funding. 

EducationUSA has a YouTube channel with several tips for international students, including how to finance your education.  These videos feature tips from experts as well as individual student stories and experiences.

• Financing U.S. Studies (2018)
• Finance Your Studies (September 2017)

Annuity.org has put together a "Students & Financial Literacy" guide to give you an overview of various topics, including scholarships, budgeting, and more (please note: F-1 and J-1 students are not eligible to complete a FAFSA or for federal student loans).