It is talked of as the land of dream fulfillment, of cutting edge quality, of mega bucks and of life as you want it to be.
Whatever you have heard about the U.S., it's true. And getting an education there is probably the simplest and most reputable way of being a part of the great American dream. And also, US education is eminently affordable, if done the right way. Unlike other parts of the world, where self-funding is the only way to pay for your education, the US education system offers an array of scholarships and loans besides earn-as-you-learn opportunities.
Eligibilty l Student Visa l Expenses/Fees l Accomodation l Parttime Jobs

Eligibility
The three most important criteria for both graduate & undergraduate courses are :
1. Consistently Good Academic Record
2. Financial Support
3. Proficiency in English
Other eligibility criteria :
Undergraduate Programs (BS, BE, BA etc)
Most Colleges all over the U.S. require a minimum of 12 years of formal education. In the Nepali context, it implies qualifying in class 12th examination or junior college, as applicable.

Graduate Programs (MS, MA,MBA etc)
Most schools require qualifications comparable to a U.S. Bachelor’s degree (Four-Year Degree Program) or a minimum of 16 years of formal education. In the Nepali context, this implies qualifying in either a professional four-year course like engineering or other such courses.

Students who apply are also required to take standardized tests like GRE, GMAT, SAT and TOEFL etc. depending on the course or program chosen. The minimum TOEFL score required is usually 550 (Paper-based test) or 220 (Computer-based test) for graduate courses.

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Student Visa
To enter the United States as a student, you must apply at a US Embassy or Consulate for a student visa. You are required to make an appointment in Nepal to apply for a visa. You can apply for a visa only after you receive the requisite I-20 or IAP-66 form from the institution you have been accepted to.

There are mainly two types of student visas:
F-1 (Student Visa). The F-1 visa is for full-time students enrolled in an academic or language program. F-1 students may stay in the US for the full length of their academic program plus 60 days. F-1 students must maintain a full-time course load and complete their studies by the expiration date listed on the I-20 form.
J-1 (Exchange Visitor Visa). The J-1 visa is issued for students needing practical training that is not available in their home country to complete their academic program. The training must be directly related to the academic program. The J-1 visa obligates the student to return to their home country for a minimum of two years after the end of their studies in the US before being eligible to apply for an immigrant (permanent residence) visa.
The rules and regulations governing the entrance of all international students into the United States are complicated and should be properly looked into before applying for a visa.


Documents required are :
- Valid Passport
- One Passport size photograph (Black and White or Colour)
- A Non-immigrant Visa Application (Form 156) available from the website.
- Form I-20 executed by the authorizing official of institution concerned, signed by the applicant.
- Evidence of financial ability to cover the costs of the education and maintenance involved
- Visa fee to be paid in Nepalese Rupees by Bank Draft
When to apply :
An applicant may apply for a student Visa not earlier than 90 days before the registration date specified on the FORM I-20. If the registration date is already passed or the applicant cannot reasonably expect to arrive at the school by the registration date, the applicant should obtain an amended I-20 or a letter of extension from the issuing institution stating by what date the applicant may arrive.
After the Completed application forms along with the documents are submitted;
In most cases, the visa will be issued within a few hours or days of the submission of the application.
If your application is denied, you should ask the Consular Officer for a "written denial decision." This will provide you with the official reason for your visa denial.

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Expenses/Fees
US Universities fall under two major categories: public (state supported), and private (independent) institutions. International students’ tuition expenses at state schools are based on nonresident costs, which are still usually less expensive than those of private universities. It’s important to note that the cost of a program in a US school does not necessarily affect its quality.

The tuition fee is different for different universities and varies widely with courses. It can vary from as low as $ 5000 a year for state universities to as much as $ 30000 per annum for some private universities. For more specific details, please contact the universities.

Living Expenses
The approximate annual living expenses are about $10,000, which includes accommodation as well as other daily expenses. However, the expenses are different for different people depending on the lifestyles and this is just a rough idea. The main expenses can be split up as:
Rent $ 400 per month
Groceries $ 100 per month
Utilities $ 100 per month
Phone $ 100 per month
Sundry $ 200 per month
So, about $1000 per month is a good estimation. Most people can survive with $700-$1000 a month. The key here is to share apartments/houses so that you save on the utilities, fixed charge portion of phone and to some extent on groceries.

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Accomodation
Each institute has its own policy for housing and may offer a range of options for single and married students. In case of universities that do offer accommodation, you will be sent a description of the on- and off-campus options available as well as the actual housing application form.
Since most campuses have limited on-campus housing, it is extremely important to submit the application form early. University housing facilities may range from a dormitory, which may be shared with other students to an apartment for a family. Some undergraduate universities may require students to live in a dormitory on campus.
Most graduate students live off-campus either by themselves or in small groups. Rents vary greatly from state to state, depending on the location.

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Part-Time Work/Jobs
Employment opportunities for international students are limited. You should not plan on earning substantial money from a part-time job to help pay for your studies.
On campus : Though international students are allowed to work on campus, these jobs are often difficult to obtain and do not provide sufficient funds to sustain education costs. Students with good academic standing have a better chance.
Off campus : It may be possible to for students to avail of limited off-campus employment, which is subject to strict regulatory guidelines. It requires approval from US Immigration & Naturalization Service. This approval is not easy to get and depends on a special need.
Practical Training : In addition, there may be opportunities for practical training which entail a period of authorized employment, designed to allow foreign students to have professional work experience related to their field of study. For further details, contact the foreign student adviser at the university, after you are enrolled.
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