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University of California - Information for Prospective Students from Other Countries
Finances
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Before a U.S. Consul will grant a visa, you must prove that you will have sufficient money to meet all your expenses while studying in the United States. You must explain the source of your funds and guarantee that you will receive them while at the University. Unless you are able to provide written evidence demonstrating you have adequate financial resources for the entire time needed to complete your degree program, the Consul will not grant a student visa.
If your country's government limits the amount of money that may be sent to its students in the United States, you should make sure that funds will be available. When you leave your country, you must have enough money to pay for traveling expenses to the University, pay fees for the entire term, meet living expenses until more money reaches you and pay the return fare to your home. If your country's government requires verification of enrollment before money can be forwarded to you, you may request that verification from the campus International Student Advisor after you have completed registration at the University.
Some international students arrive at the University unaware of the amount of money they will need. Students often assume, incorrectly, that additional financial assistance or part-time employment will be available. Each year many students find themselves in serious financial difficulties because they did not arrange for adequate support. Before making firm plans to come to the United States to study, you should read the following sections carefully.
The chart that follows provides the estimated average fees and expenses for the 2003-2004 academic year (nine months) for an undergraduate living in University housing. It is only provided as a guide. Actual costs for the next academic year, 2004-2005, will vary, and fees and expenses are subject to change.
| Estimated Costs of Attending the
University of California
Undergraduate Costs for Nine-Month Academic Year, 2003-2004 |
||
| Tuition and Fees | $19,710 | |
| Books and Supplies | $1,280 | |
| Living (Room and Board) | $9,690 | |
| Personal/Transportation | $2,260 | |
| Health Insurance Allowance/Fee | $550 | |
| Total Average Estimated Cost | $33,490 | |
Figures for fees, books and supplies, living, personal/transportation and total
expenses represent averages at all UC campuses (except San Francisco). The figures
for 2003-2004 tuition and fees include registration and education fees required
of all UC students, miscellaneous campus fees, plus $14,210 in tuition and fees
for UC students who are not residents of California.
Figures for personal/transportation expenses include personal items, health insurance, laundry, some recreational activities and costs for limited local travel. This assumes the student has moderate spending habits, is not supporting a spouse and family, and is well supplied with clothing and other personal belongings. Transportation and telephone calls between California and another country are not included.
Living expenses for students who choose to live off campus vary depending upon the community surrounding the campus. Students should be aware that there are often additional costs associated with renting an apartment or house, such as payment of a security deposit and additional month's rent in advance, and utility payments.
Costs for living expenses and attending school during the summer are not included. Students can expect to spend at least $4,000 for living expenses during the summer, plus expenses associated with attending school.
In general, University fees must be paid upon registration at the beginning of each term. Some campuses permit students to pay fees in installments. Contact the Office of the International Student Advisor on the campus you expect to attend to learn whether such an option will be available to you.
New students in graduate professional school programs must pay additional annual fees: $2,925 for nursing; $3,185 for theater, film and television studies; $4,875 for optometry and pharmacy; $6,565 for veterinary medicine; $8,060 for dentistry; $8,549 for medicine; $9,360 for business; $9,894 for law.
Most international students find it difficult to obtain financial assistance in the United States, particularly if no aid has been offered by an academic department or by a scholarship organization while you are still in your own country.
The University awards a very limited number of grants, loans or scholarships to international undergraduates. At some campuses, no assistance is available to international undergraduates. In certain departments on some campuses, graduate students with outstanding academic records may be awarded fellowship assistance.
Students from the host universities affiliated with the University of California's Education Abroad Program (EAP) may be considered for waivers of nonresident tuition fees and for other awards. Procedures for granting waivers and awards vary among the host institutions. If you are a student at a host university, you should contact the resident director of the University of California EAP in your country for more information.
If you are a graduate student with a record of outstanding academic achievement, you may be appointed as a teaching or research assistant in the department in which you plan to study. These opportunities are limited, and usually are available only to students who have been enrolled a year or more at the University. Students on F-1 and J-1 visas are eligible for teaching or research assistantships.
To apply for an assistantship, send a written request to the department in which you would like to study at the same time you apply for admission. (For UCSD, check the appropriate box on the application.) Application for an appointment is separate from your application for admission to the University.
If your post-secondary education was completed in a language other than English and you are applying for a teaching assistantship your first year, most campuses will require you take the Test of Spoken English (TSE). If the TSE is not available, documentation of oral English proficiency is usually acceptable.
There are very limited opportunities for employment, either on or off campus, except as a teaching or research assistant. Unless you have received a definite offer for such an assistantship before your arrival, you should not plan to earn any part of your expenses while attending the University. Students who hope to obtain employment or financial assistance after enrolling at the University may be unable to complete their studies. Immigration restrictions make summer and part-time off-campus work extremely difficult to secure. Students on F-1 visas are not eligible to apply for off-campus employment during their first nine months in the United States.
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