Financial Resources for Continuing International Students
 
  1. International Student Grant Program

International Student Grant Program

The Office of International Affairs offers grants on a competitive basis to students who are experiencing extreme financial hardship. Applications are accepted twice a year during the Spring and Fall semesters. Application deadlines vary each year and are announced by email when OIA will begin accepting applications. Awards are not meant to cover all tuition expenses, and generally range from $500 - $2,500 depending on a variety of factors.

Minimum Eligibility
  • Must be currently enrolled in a degree program and in good academic standing, with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher at the time the award begins.
  • Must  have completed at least two semesters of full-time coursework at the time the award begins.
  • Must be maintaining legal F-1 or J-1 student visa status.
  • Must be assessed tuition at the out-of-state rate.
Preference is given to students who meet the following selection criteria:
  • Able to demonstrate severe financial need with no other alternative for meeting this need.
  • Are in their last year of study (first preference) or next to last year (second preference). Others are eligible to apply for assistance, but have lower preference.
  • Have a clear outline of available funding through completion of the current program of study.
  • Are maintaining a strong academic record.
  • Agree to make a contribution to internationalization at IUPUI
Click here for an application packet.

Please contact the Office of International Affairs at 317-274-7000 if you have questions about the Grant Program.

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Economic Hardship Work Authorization

F-1 students who find themselves faced with severe, unforeseen economic hardship and have been unable to find an on-campus job sufficient to meet their financial needs may apply to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for permission to accept off-campus employment. The application requires that students have been in full-time F-1 status for at least one academic year. An application fee applies. Please see this link for further details: http://www.iupui.edu/~oia/VT/f1hdship.html.

J-1 students may also apply for a similar benefit. Please consult with an International Student Advisor if you are a J-1 student experiencing severe financial hardship.

If you are having financial difficulty, but your situation does not qualify as severe and unforeseen, please consult with an International Student Advisor. You may not qualify for Economic Hardship Work Authorization, but you may be eligible to use another type of off-campus work permission not based on financial difficulties.

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Student Loans

International Students may apply for student loans. The most common lender is Sallie Mae, although there are other lenders. Sallie Mae offers the Signature Loan to international students, but they must have a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Information about this loan can be found on the Sallie Mae website at www.salliemae.com/international/non_us_students/.

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Scholarships

Scholarships for international students are limited, as many programs require that the applicant be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. However, if you are doing well in your academic program, this should not discourage you from searching for scholarships to help fund your study. Following are some sources of scholarship information:

  • Scholarships for International Students at IUPUI

  • The IUPUI Office of Student Scholarships (http://www.iupui.edu/~scentral/). Consult this website or visit the office in person at CA103.

  • Your academic department. If you are admitted into your degree program, consult with your advisor to see what scholarships may be available for high-performing students directly from your school.

  • Online searches. You can find a lot of sources of income from private organizations or companies by searching online. However, many of these sources are for students at specific schools, from certain countries, or studying in specific degree programs. Make sure to check eligibility requirements before applying. Some good sources for your scholarship search are www.iefa.org and www.fastweb.com.