GED
Tests of General Educational Development, orsimply the GED, is a series of four subject tests a person can take to demonstrate their high school academic knowledge. Nearly all U.S. and Canadian colleges and universities accept the GED credential: https://ged.com/en/universities/?lang=en. Universities in many other countries such as Thailand, Bangladesh, Nepal, UAE, South Africa, New Zealand, and others also recognize it for admission. A GED credential is proof that you have U.S. high school–level academic and English skills. Please check with any prospective university on their admissions policy to find out whether they accept the GED credential. The International GED exam costs USD $75 per subject. You must take and pass all four subjects to graduate. The total cost comes to USD $300. For exam security and to prevent cheating, the exam cannot be taken online. You must appear in person at an official GED exam center to take the GED exam. Here’s where to find test centers near you: https://ged.com/en/prep-centers/
There are also study guides available, as well as test practice sites such as this one: https://www.testprepreview.com/ged_practice.htm
Undergraduate Information
Top five countries where tuition is free: https://www.scholars4dev.com/4031/list-of-european-countries-with-tuition-freelow-tuition-universities-colleges/
Top ten most affordable places to study abroad: https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/studying-abroad/10-most-affordable-places-study-abroad
Top ten most affordable European countries to study: http://www.travelstart.com.ng/blog/top-10-cheapest-european-countries-study-abroad/
Scholarships, Fellowships, Grants
List of the top twenty-five European scholarships, grants, and fellowships for international students (broken down by level of study, places of study, and fields of study): https://www.scholars4dev.com/category/country/europe-scholarships/
The general ScholarshipPortal for European scholarships, fellowships, and grants can be found on this site: http://www.scholarshipportal.eu/
Open to: undergraduate and graduate students
Find and compare scholarships for college students, college grants, fellowships, federal financial aid, and other forms of student funding to cover expenses for international bachelors, masters, and PhDs in European institutions of learning.
ScholarshipPortal is one of the best scholarship sites for international students. Browse comprehensive scholarship lists available for European destinations. Apply for a university scholarship in a degree subject that interests you from top MBA scholarships, engineering scholarships, scholarships for law schools and medical schools, as well as art, sports, music, and many more.
The general ScholarshipPortal for scholarships, fellowships, and grants for universities in every country can be found on this site: https://www.scholarshipportal.com/
Open to: undergraduate and graduate students
Search scholarship lists for a wide variety of destinations abroad. Start your search by choosing a study location and selecting one of over 1,000 opportunities for student financial aid available in the United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, France, Spain, the Netherlands, China, the United States, Australia, and elsewhere. Apply for a scholarship in a subject that interests you from top MBA scholarships, engineering scholarships, scholarships for law and medical schools, as well as arts, sports, music, and many more.
International scholarships for young women (100 percent tuition free): https://www.scholarshipportal.com/scholarship/international-scholarship-for-girls
Eramus+ provides grants for a variety of activities in education, training, youth, and sports for students, trainees, staff, and volunteers. The goal of Erasmus+ is to enable the sharing of practices and methods promoting institutional cooperation and mobility in higher education through the European Union: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-plus_en
Open to: students (undergraduate to post-doctoral) and staff (administrative and academic)
Funding for Study in the U.S.A.
This directory contains over 500 scholarships and grants for international students seeking to study in the United States: http://www.fundingusstudy.org/
Open to: undergraduate and graduate students.
Work-Study Programs in the U.S.A.
Working while studying can be a great opportunity to earn money while in the United States, and international students can expect to make at least minimum wage. Although this will not be enough to fund your education, it can certainly help offset costs. Before participating in a work-study program, it’s important to make sure you understand the demands of your courses and manage your schedule. Along with providing you extra money and experience, these programs allow you the opportunity to practice English in a professional environment, helping you to prepare for work after college.
Search universities, international financial aid, loans, insurance, housing, admission requirements, visas, and more: https://www.internationalstudent.com/
Work-Study Opportunities in the European Union
Studying in the EU is one way to see Europe while continuing with your education; many colleges encourage students to study aboard, which has been shown to have positive influences in the career path, worldview, and self-confidence of students. If you are interested leaving your homeland and taking advantage of this opportunity, many such programs are available to international students: http://www.backpackeurope.com/tips/workstudy/
Studying outside the United States—an online guide to finding the perfect study-abroad program for you. Search by location, study subject, and time frame for nearly every country, including studying, teaching, internships, language schools, and more: https://www.gooverseas.com/study-abroad
Canadian Programs and Student Visas
Top-rated universities in Canada:
University of Toronto: https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-toronto
McGill University: https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/mcgill-university
University of Alberta: https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-alberta
McMaster University: https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/mcmaster-university
University de Montreal: https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/universite-de-montreal
University of Waterloo: https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-waterloo
Western University: https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/western-university
Tuition: every university has its own cost tiers; they differ in accordance with many factors, such as the program you’re studying, whether you are an international or domestic student, and whether you’re studying at the undergraduate or postgraduate level. Be sure to choose the best fit for your financial resources.
The parents or legal guardians must prove the minor (those under age seventeen) will have the care and support they need during their stay in Canada. Minors must either arrive with their parent or legal guardian or have a custodian in Canada. The custodian must be an adult and must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident. A custodian is optional for minors seventeen years of age and older, but an officer can request one on a case-by-case basis.
You can appoint a custodian from here: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/migration/ircc/english/pdf/pub/custodian-parent.pdf
You need the following to work in Canada as a student:
- have a valid study permit:
- be a full-time student;
- be enrolled at a designated learning institution at the post-secondary level;
- be studying in an academic, vocational, or professional training program that leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate that is at least six months in duration.
For more details: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work.html
After graduation, you can get a job permit to remain and work in Canada. For more details: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation.html
You can also return to Canada after graduation with a visitor’s visa.
Canadian student-visa requirements: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/prepare/get-documents.html#doc3
The different kinds of schools, when to apply, and other requirements: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/prepare.html
Tips on living in Canada as an international student: https://www.educanada.ca/study-plan-etudes/before-avant/guide.aspx?lang=eng
Scholarships for international students, Canada: https://www.educanada.ca/scholarships-bourses/non_can/index.aspx?lang=eng
SAT and ACT admission tests for the United States
Please note: prospective international students should be aware that test-optional policies at U.S. universities don’t always apply to students who attended high school outside the United States. Although more than 1,000 accredited four-year universities have test-optional admissions policies, most undergrads who seek to attend higher-education centers in the United States require international students to submit some form of standardized testing instead of the SAT or ACT (such as the GED).
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s most popular English-language proficiency test for higher education and global migration. More than 10,000 organizations worldwide trust IELTS; it is recognized by educational institutions, employers, governments, and professionals around the world.
IELTS continues to set the standard for English-language testing. Governments in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom use IELTS to process immigration applications. IELTS has been developed by some of the world’s leading language-assessment experts and will test the full range of English skills needed for success in a new job or study placement abroad.
Test-takers will be assessed on the following elements:
- listening
- reading
- writing
- speaking
More information can be found here: https://www.futurelearn.com/subjects/language-courses/ielts-preparation
Free practice tests for the IELTS can be located at this site (though numerous others are available as well): https://www.ielts.org/en-us/usa/ielts-for-test-takers/ielts-practice-test
