Why Study in The U.S.A.?
For most Indian students, the seeds of studying abroad are planted right from childhood. Be it that one NRI cousin who is the object of every parent’s awe or the glorification and overexposure of western universities in the media, every kid wants a slice of that western college life. The dream of making it big and charting a stellar career often begins with the aim of enrolling in a prestigious university abroad. While it’s true that recognized universities exist all around the world, there’s a certain allure about the big American dream that puts the U.S. front and center for Indian candidates who want to pursue higher education abroad. So, why study in the USA? And more importantly, why should you pursue higher education in the U.S.? We have broken down the answer for you. 1. Flexible Choices There are several reasons why American colleges are considered top-tier for international students. But if we had to pick one, it would be the fact that one is free to choose different courses before declaring their major. This sets the U.S. apart from colleges in other countries, which insist students pick their major right when applying for college. Sometimes, colleges ask students to declare their major right when applying for the course. Not only does this restrict your freedom to switch your field of study later, but it also keeps you from exploring different subjects before you’ve made up your mind about which field you want to delve deeper into. It is in this regard that colleges in the U.S. give their students an advantage, by providing them a chance to explore their interests, before making a major decision. 2. Melting Pot of Cultures America is known as the melting pot of different cultures and that’s evident from their college classrooms. Every university, be it Ivy League or not, prides itself on having a solid diversity base regarding enrolment and admissions. This is not only an excellent chance for you to blend in with your unique heritage but also an opportunity to mingle with other cultures and gain a global perspective. If you get admission to a college there, chances are you’d meet many different students from different races and backgrounds. This allows you to nurture your openness to other beliefs and languages. 3. Opening doors to new careers A master’s degree from a reputed American university automatically opens doors to a lot of career opportunities. The holistic academic experience in the U.S. gives you an insight into different fields, thus broadening the scope of your career. In addition to this, American colleges also offer the highest salary around the world. Even when you apply for an education loan from Lorien to study in the U.S., the credit decision is based on this future employability, so you can pay back all the dues within the first 2-3 years of working. Even if your goal is not to settle in America, coming back home with a Master’s degree from the U.S. automatically makes you a desirable candidate for many global companies back home. 4. Networking Getting an MBA from a reputed college in the U.S. not only opens doors to great learning but also allows you to connect with future marketers, entrepreneurs, and tech wizards, who all might be sitting next to you in your classroom. Networking with classmates will give you a lifelong advantage in whichever field you choose. In conclusion, getting an MBA from the U.S. has a lot of benefits, but if finance is coming your way from getting into your preferred college, don’t let it be a roadblock. Get in touch with us at lorien.finance, where we connect US capital markets with Indian students by providing them with low-cost financial services.
How to Apply for Study F-1 Visa
Getting admission into a college in the U.S. is a milestone for many international students. It holds a promise of great things to come and a curtain call to all the hard work you’ve put in over the past few months. Anyone who has gone through the rigorous process of college applications and GREs knows what we’re talking about. So, when you finally get in, it feels like a grand feat, as it rightly is. But getting admission into the college is just half the battle won. Not to deter your spirits, but a significant challenge is to apply for your student visa so you can step foot inside the college of your choice. That’s why we’re here to break down the process for you step by step so you don’t have to face any roadblocks. But before we move on to the following steps, let’s get a brief understanding of the types of Visas there are out there. 1. F1 Visa This is for students applying for a bachelor’s or master’s degree, which involves more than 18 hours of study per week. In this blog, we’ll cover how to apply for the F-1 visa, as it’s the most commonly used visa by international students. 2. J1 Exchange Visitor Visa As the name suggests, this visa is for students, scholars, or lecturers visiting the U.S. under an exchange program. This visa is usually pursued by professionals visiting America on an exchange program for their fellowship or research. 3. M1 Vocational Visa M1 Visa is meant for students attending a vocational or technical school. While the process of applying for the F-1 and M-1 Visa is similar, the M1 visa has a stamp of time limit on it, which means you cannot overstay the visit. Now that we’ve got this out of our way let’s go over the process of applying for an F-1 student visa. STEP 1 Surprise, you’ve already done step 1 by securing a seat at that coveted university in America. Once you’ve been accepted by an accredited university, the college will provide you with an I-20 form that will certify that you’ve been enrolled in a full-time study program there and have substantial financial resources to support your stay in the United States. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the U.S. immigration department has given American colleges the option to send the I-20 form electronically over email. STEP 2 The next step is to pay your SEVIS fee (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), which is approximately $350 or Rs 26,390. We’d recommend that you pay the fees online through a credit card since the alternative is to pay by a bank cheque which could take up to weeks. If you’re wondering about the purpose of the fees, it’s a maintenance fee that you pay to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security which maintains an internal record of the international students in the U.S. STEP 3 After you’ve successfully paid your SEVIS fee, it’s time to fill up the DS-160 form. Be sure to read the guidelines for filling up the DS-160 form thoroughly. You only get one chance at this because once you’ve submitted the form, you won’t get a do-over. If you’re unsure how to go about it or are confused at any stage, it’s best to consult an immigration lawyer. STEP 4 You’re one step closer to securing the Visa appointment. All you have to do is go to the VISA fee age and submit a fee of $160. To pay your visa fee, you can choose the following options: Make a note of your receipt number after the transaction, as it’ll be necessary for the next step. STEP 5 It’s time to schedule your Visa appointment. You’ll have to book two appointments, one at the Visa application centre and the other at the embassy. The waiting time for the interview can vary from country to country, and it can even take up to several months sometimes. So it’s best to schedule your appointment at the earliest. Scheduling your visa appointment at the embassy or consulate would require you to keep three things handy: STEP 6 For your appointment at the Visa application centre, you must bring the following documents: A valid passport, DS-160 confirmation form, appointment confirmation page, and one photograph as specified by the U.S. visa guidelines. This is where you’ll be required to get your photo clicked for the Visa and scan your fingerprints. For your visit to the U.S. embassy or consulate, you will need the following documents: A printed copy of your appointment letter, DS-60 confirmation page, current and old passports (if any), and Supporting papers as per your visa type. This is where the interviewer will ask you questions about your colleges, finances, the intent of coming back, etc. Apart from this, we suggest you keep all your other essential documents handy, like all the confirmation payslips, mark sheets, certificates, interview appointment letter, I-20 sent by the college, etc. And that’s it; if you follow all these steps correctly, chances are you’ll be well on your way to the U.S. to study at the college of your choice. While the U.S. Department does not disclose the number of accepted and denied applications, it’s in your best interest to seek guidance from others every step of the way. Anything that involves a lot of paperwork also leaves scope for human error. That’s why it’s crucial to cross-check everything twice before submitting and asking for help wherever you feel stuck. With that, we at Lorien finance wish you all the best in your Visa application process.
Indian Students’ Guide: First Month in the US
We know how much your dream to study in the U.S. means to you. But we also understand that shifting base to another country is not an easy task. Indian students often grapple with several adjustments during their first few weeks in America. New people, new climate, new culture, new friends—it can be a little too much to take in all at once. Especially if you’re close to your family, and given that you’re Indian, it’s a safe bet to assume that you are. That’s why our Indian Students Guide for the First Month in the US emphasizes the importance of acclimating yourself before stepping foot in the land of the free. Both India and America are deeply set in their ways and that’s partially the reason why both countries have such strong values. But if you switch from one nation to the other, you need to come prepared. That’s why we’ve created a cheat sheet for you. A survival guide for the average Indian student to survive their first month in the U.S. Long story short, if you follow these steps, your transition to the U.S. will be a smooth and easy journey. 1. Do Your Research This goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway—there’s no such thing as too much research when you’re about to shift to a new country, especially for two years. As part of the Indian Students Guide for the First Month in the US, you’ll need to know about the climate of the place you’ll be living in and pack accordingly. If the area experiences peak summers and winters, bring a wide variety of summer cottons and winter wools. If you know someone—like a friend or a relative—who’s already living in the same area, get in touch with them for insights. How long do monsoons last? Is there going to be snowfall? How much does the temperature fluctuate? No question is too small. Additionally, do a quick online search to find any Indian stores near your locality for replenishing groceries and spices. It’s also wise to connect with your university counselor to find out about other Indian students attending the college with you. We’re not suggesting you always stick together as a clan and avoid mingling with others, but having a little relatability during those initial days can really help. 2. Brace Yourself for The Culture Shock If you take the first step right, your research will tell you that America differs from India in many ways. For instance, the option of vegetarianism is not widely available when it comes to food choices. Although American states are catching the new wave of veganism quite rapidly, it’s still difficult to find variety in veg food. So, if you’re a vegetarian, we’d suggest you already figure out a game plan beforehand. Another thing that comes across as a shock for most Indians is that cabs are a luxury for the elite. The public uses the subway metros and other public transport daily to get from point A to point B. If we come down to listing it all, we’ll need another blog to write all the things that can come to you as a culture shock about the U.S. But more on that later. 3. Get a Job Right Away If you’re a student in the U.S., chances are you will have to do a part-time gig or two to maintain your daily expenses. America is not a cheap country so it’s a common sight in the U.S. for students to do part-time jobs to earn a little extra pocket money. And unlike in India, doing a small job as a busboy at a restaurant isn’t looked down upon. So, don’t go down the road of what people will say. Doing a part-time job in college will teach you a valuable lesson in money and time management. No amount of theoretical reading can give you that. So it’s vital that you get your hands dirty and get a job right away to support yourself while studying. 4. Open a Bank Account A wise person would get a bank account in the country as soon as they land to pay their bills and keep their money safe. But a wiser person would get a bank account even before landing in the U.S. Ask how? With the help of Lorien Finance, we help Indian students open a U.S. bank account and provide a debit card, so you can easily manage all your finances without the hassle of lugging the extra cash. The best part is that you don’t need a social security number or a past credit history to open a bank account. You can read more about our U.S. bank account here. (backlink) 5. Network to Make Things Work If you’re a foreign student in the U.S., this will be crucial in deciding how the next 2 years of your life pan out. Not only from a professional standpoint but even a social point of view. If you’re an introvert who doesn’t like to initiate conversations, you’ll have to work and build your communication skills. You can’t survive two years in a foreign land by staying in your bubble. It’s important to socialize from the get-go and find your tribe in the coming months. It’ll not only help you to find like-minded friends but will also open more academic opportunities. The more you engage with your classmates, faculty, and professors, the more opportunities will come your way. 6. Learn to Cook If there’s one thing that you should take from the blog, without a doubt, it’s this. No other skill is as essential to survive in the U.S. as cooking. You can’t survive every day on take-out food. It’s better to prepare your meals and eat healthier, richer food. It’ll not just save you money but will also make you self-reliable in the eyes of your peers and family. Not to mention, if you are not a meat eater, you will have a tough time
Importance of Education Loans for Study Abroad
Be it India or America, education is becoming expensive year after year, especially when it comes to post-graduate courses. In such a scenario, students who wish to study in the U.S. tend to eat into their savings to pay for their college tuition. But not many people have the luxury of having a college trust fund or parents with a sizable chunk of money kept aside. For them, education loans are a blessing, as it allows them to fulfill their dreams even though they have limited means. It gives these talented young students a chance to stand neck-to-neck with the global students and bring their unique brilliance to the forefront. It aims to empower young minds who are only bound by limited financial means and gives them the wings to soar high in the sky. Let’s look at other reasons why an education loan is a must-have if you plan and know about the importance of an education loan for studying abroad. 1. Saving your parent’s savings Indian parents spend their entire lives saving hard-earned money for their children’s college funds in the hopes of seeing their child study at a prestigious university someday. These savings often come at the price of their wishes or money they could have otherwise spent comfortably by them in their retirement. Taking an education loan to finance your studies relieves your parents from the stress of taking a significant financial burden on your behalf and frees up their life savings which can now be used as they deem fit. It puts the onus on you and your ability to pay back the loan in the years to come. 2. Shaping Your Credit Score While the concept of a credit score may not be as popular here, in foreign countries, it is pretty relevant. A loan to finance your education is a sure-shot way to build your credit score in America. All you need to do is ensure that you pay all installments on time to guarantee a stellar credit rating. People use their high credit scores to secure funds in the future whenever the need arises. It symbolizes your ability to repay the loan in the agreed-upon time without any delays or defaults. 3. Quick & Easy Visa Approval In most countries, including America, the visa authorities want to ensure that there’s a steady flow of funds and that the source of these funds is reliable. When public sector banks or trusted lenders support the loan, they automatically enhance the student’s profile, making the student a more worthy candidate in the eyes of the authority. Thus, a student who secures an education loan for studying abroad has a better chance of obtaining a visa quickly than a student who self-finances their studies. 4. Covering all The Bases When you take an education loan to sponsor your college, it funds not only your tuition fees but also covers travel expenses, study materials, accommodation, and more. And if you take an education loan from Lorien finance, we also throw in a free flight ticket to the U.S. Not only that, we wire the tuition fee directly to your university before each semester, so you don’t have to take the extra stress of going to the bank and making the payment or risk forgetting and becoming a defaulter. 5. Tax Benefits This is a frontrunner factor when deciding on taking an education loan for study abroad. Under section 80E of the Income-tax of India, the interest on an education loan is subject to a tax rebate. This makes the foreign education loan a viable scheme for your parents, who can juice the benefit of the tax rebate emerging from the interest you pay on loan after every period. If you’ve made up your mind to secure an education loan to finance your studies in America, then you’ve come to the right portal. Lorien Finance not only makes securing the loan quick and easy, but it also offers competitive interest rates as low as 8.5%. To know more about our education loans, click here.