Financial Assistance
CIEGS/ISSS does not offer financial assistance, but the University and external resources do offer scholarships/assistantship, loans, and small short-term emergency funding options.
Financial Literacy Workshop
Watch this recording of our financial literacy workshop from February 2022.
Undergraduate Applicants
The University at Albany has limited scholarship funding for new, incoming international undergraduate students.
University Scholarships/Assistantships – Continuing 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.
Private Loans for International Students
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.
External Scholarships
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:
Limited Short-Term Emergency Funding
The University at Albany offers emergency funding resources for small needs and is normally short-term, one-time funding.
Other Resources
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.
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).