The Cost Factor

Most of the time fees are listed at Tuition, Room, and Board. So the price listed is all inclusive outside of personal costs like clothing, toiletries, and travel to and from.  But make sure that you look to see what is included. 

Please have Tuition costs in the US be a secondary filter.  Meaning on an initial search I ask students to not toss a school off of your list due to cost.  Often in the US it takes a deeper dive to separate the stated cost or sticker price from what the student will most likely pay.  

Here are some links that you might find helpful for the US.  See also United States Page of this website for more information. 

#Youarewelcomehere  International student scholarship offered at participating Universities.  See list on the website. 

EduPASS offers financial aid information for international students studying in the U.S.

Fast Web is the place to go for the best scholarship information.

Unigo offers scholarship searches and applications.

International Scholarships and Finaid International.

College Data, scholarship information.

College Board's CSS/financial aid profile, this form can be used by US Citizens/Green Card Holders and International Students if the College/University will accept the form. It can provide more information than the FAFSA and open doors that the FAFSA alone cannot. 

FAFSA, (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), is the US government site for student aid for US citizens.

FAFSA Line by Line Support- Video walking you question by question through the FAFSA form.

College Affordability and Transparency Center, is a US Government center where you can see net cost and tuition.  Please note that the filters do not take several factors into account. Still it is interesting information. 

CollegeXepress, is a website for scholarship opportunities and also provides University information.

Most fees are listed as Tuition costs and do not include the cost of living (Room and Board).  You will also want to add personal costs like clothing, toiletries, and travel to and from.  The decision as to your status is determined by the University, but it is my understanding if one University grants you Home Status then you have leverage to encourage the others to follow suit. 

The Complete University Guide has a Sample Budget that might be helpful.  

Here is also a link to UK Government Web Page with information about costs and funding in the UK: Funding UK Education

Here is a resource for developing a budget and looking at costs all over the UK: Save the Student: Student Living Costs in the UK 2021

Fee Status:  When you receive your offer it should state your Fee Status as well.  

If you are an International student you will most likely be paying international student fees. 

The EU status is pending, more to come on this as information is received.  

If you are a UK National you may be able to pay the home fee, but this depends on each Universities judgement as to your meeting of the criteria.  You may also be classified as an International Student and be asked to pay the full international fee even though you are a citizen.  Watch your offers carefully.  If it say that you are classified as an International Student it still may be possible to be reclassified as a home fee paying student.  Please be careful to read your offer, as some of the offers are now saying that if you change your status that the offer may be rescinded or changed.   If you want to see if you could be Home Fee Student you may need to provide the following types of documentation.  

Please note that this is not a complete list but should give you an idea of what might need to be provided: 

• National Insurance Contributions

• Proof of Address (Mortgage Plan as an example) 

• Parents Work Contracts

• Flights Back and Forth

• Birth Letters (NHS) 

• Fee Status Questionnaires (From the Uni) 

• British Drivers Licence copies

• Passport Copies

• Proof of Bank

• Proof of use of Hospitals or accessing medical care in the UK