ESL Financial Aid

Financial aid for international students taking ESL (English as a Second Language) programs in the USA takes two main forms: awards and aid.

Awards
Awards such as scholarships for international students coming to the US specifically to study ESL are somewhat limited. However, there are several possible options to research.

Awards offered by the school you plan to attend: For instance, at some colleges, all new students are eligible and automatically considered for entrance scholarships regardless of where they come from or what they plan to study.

Awards offered by certain charitable, cultural or non-governmental organizations, such as the Rotary Club's Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarships, awarded to students applying for 3 or 6 months of language study and cultural immersion.

Awards offered once studies have begun: At some schools, scholarships are only available to ESL students after a year of study, provided the students have demonstrated academic excellence and/or community involvement. Other awards may be given for high achieving ESL students with the requirement that the recipient use the scholarship to continue their education at a US college or university.

International students should check with any school they choose to attend to see if the school offers any scholarships or knows of any for which international students may qualify.

Aid
Financial aid for international students may be available for those pursuing full-time or at least half-time study leading to an undergraduate degree or diploma at a college or university in the USA--which may include ESL programs.

The main kinds of financial aid available to prospective college or university level international students include private (alternative) loans and external organization grants.

Private (alternative) loans for international students may be available through organizations such as Sallie Mae International, or through programs like the International Student Loan Program (ISLP) funded by PNC Bank and guaranteed by The Education Resources Institute (TERI). Usually, a US citizen must co-sign any loan taken out by a non-citizen.

International students coming to the US for ESL programs, may also want to consult one of the 450 EducationUSA education advising centers located throughout the world. EducationUSA is a US-based global network of advising centers supported by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the US Department of State.