The United States of America is the world’s leading destination for education. Pursuing in the USA offers a great career scope and wide exposure range. The country’s education system is designed to be comprehensive, skillful, and advanced. International students can get strong emphasis on theory and practical education. Coupled with an economy that requires new talent every year, it is the ideal destination for students looking to study and make a life after graduation. With a US student visa, it is possible to study in the USA.
FAST offers authoritative support to students who must study in US universities on a student visa. Our understanding of the US education system and vast experience with its student visa process make us your best bet for studying in the US.
As evidenced by their high rankings, US universities provide the best possible platform to international students with a student visa. The country’s education system offers the most comprehensive coursework, emphasizing practical and theoretical learning.
3 Types of Visas are available for students seeking to pursue graduate, postgraduate, master’s degree or vocational courses. These Visas are further classified into sub-categories based on the visa application type.
F Visa:
Visas for international students seeking to study for academic degrees in US-accredited universities.
seeking to pursue part-time or full-time courses in the US.
M Visa:
This is another category of Visa issued for non-academic or vocational training courses in US institutions.
J Visa:
J Visas are issued for international visitors participating in cultural exchange programs in the US. They are also given to students seeking to pursue medicine, business, or any specializations in the US.
| Name of the university | QS Rank 2024 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 1 |
| Harvard University | 4 |
| Stanford University | 5 |
| University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | 10 |
| University of Chicago | 11 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 12 |
| Cornell University | 13 |
| California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | 15 |
| Yale University | 16 |
| Princeton University | 17 |
The following is a list of public universities in the USA. Some offer low tuition fees, and they all offer various scholarship programs every year.
| Intakes | Study Program | Admission deadlines |
| Summer | Undergraduate and Postgraduate | May - September |
| Spring | Undergraduate and Postgraduate | January - May |
| Fall | Undergraduate and Postgraduate | September - December |
You will have to choose an intake that best suits your requirements and make your application accordingly. Remember the deadline to submit applications is usually a few months before the semester’s starting date. You must also plan your US student visa application to sync with your college application process.
Intakes for Bachelors and master’s Programs: Overview
| Higher Study Options | Duration | Intake Months | Deadline to Apply |
| Bachelors | 4 Years | Sep (Major), Jan (Minor) & May (Minor) | 6-8 months before the intake month |
| Masters (MS/MBA) | 2 Years | Sep (Major), Jan (Minor) & May (Minor) |
Check with the corresponding university/college to know the additional requirements.
| Higher Study Options | Minimum Educational Requirement | Minimum Required Percentage | IELTS/PTE/TOEFL Score | Backlogs Information | Other Standardized Tests |
| Bachelors | 12 years of education (10+2) | 60% | Overall, 6 with 5.5 in each band | Up to 10 backlogs (some private hospital universities may accept more) | The minimum SAT score required is 1350/1600 |
| Masters (MS/MBA) | 4-year graduate degree. Very few universities will accept a 3-year bachelor's degree if the university is NAAC accredited A+ or A | 60% | Overall, 6.5 with no band less than 6 | GRE: 310/GMAT 520 MBA program may require 3-4 years of work experience |
Other Benefits for international students include
| Higher Study Options | Part-time work duration allowed | Post-study work permit | Can departments work full-time? | Is schooling free for department children | PR option available for post-study and work |
| Bachelors | 20 Hours per week | STEM profile get 3 years OPT, Non-STEM gets 1 year OPT (Optional Practice Training) | No | No | No |
| Masters (MS/MBA) | 20 Hours per week |
| STUDY PROGRAM | APPROXIMATE TUITION FEES IN USD |
| Undergraduate bachelor’s degree | $15,000 to $50,000 per year |
| Graduate programs | $20,000 to $50,000 per year |
| Doctoral Degree | $20,000 to $55,000 per year |
The USA encourages international students with many fully funded scholarships, merit scholarships, tuition fee waivers, and other scholarships. For detailed information, click on the link provided.
| Name of the Scholarship | Amount (Per Year) |
| BrokerFish International student scholarship | $12,000 USD |
| Next Genius Scholarship | Up to $100,000 |
| The University of Chicago Scholarships | Up to $20,000 |
| Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University | Up to $90,000 |
| AAUW International Fellowships | $18,000 |
| Microsoft Scholarships | Up to USD 12,000 |
| Fulbright Foreign Student Program in the USA | $12000 to $30000 |
| Hubert Humphrey Fellowships | $50,000 |
| Berea College Scholarships | 100% Scholarship |
Expenses in the USA for International Students
| Higher Study Options | Average Tuition Fee per Year | Visa Fee | Living Expenses for 1 Year/Proof of funds for 1 year |
| Bachelors | 24,000 USD & Above | 185 USD | 12000 USD |
| Masters (MS/MBA) | 20,000 USD & Above |
The student-dependent Visa is called the F2 visa. It is a non-immigrant dependent visa for the immediate family members of F1 student visa holders. Dependents include the spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 of the individuals who is studying in the US.
Eligibility conditions for the F2 visa
M1 visas are a type of non-immigrant student visa issued by the USCIS to international students who want to study in the United States. However, not every student receives an M1 visa, primarily intended for those pursuing vocational training in the US.
Students can enter the US with an M1 visa and complete their full-time vocational studies.
International students can stay in the USA for 60 days after graduation. They can apply for optional practical training (OPT) if they plan to work in non-STEM programs. You can apply for curricular practical training (CPT) during your course period and OPT can be completed before or after graduation. The country offers a one-year post-study work visa for non-STEM programs and a three-year work visa for STEM programs.
FAST can assist by giving more vital support to aspirants who wish to study in the USA. The support process includes,