Aid Programs for International Students
Information for Canadian Residents who study outside of Canada
"CanLearn" is Canada's " one-stop resource for the information and interactive planning tools you need to explore learning and education opportunities, research occupations, develop learning strategies, and create the financial plans to achieve your goals."
Other Resources:
The financial aid section in eduPASS!The SmartStudent Guide to Studying in the United States is another good resource for international students.International Scholarships.com and Internationalstudent.com are additional resources for International Students who are looking for funds to study abroad.
International students can also investigate the ISLP alternative loan offered by the International Education Finance Corporation. As of April 18th, 2008 lenders stopped accepting new applications for the private International Student Loan Program (ISLP) and CanHELP loan programs. They note on their web site that they are actively working to develop alternative programs to support the borrowing needs of international students, and will post new information as it becomes available.
International students interest in the Citibank's Citiassist Loan must apply with a creditworthy individual who is a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident AND who has a permanent address in the United States.
Sallie Mae offers the Signature Student loan , a privately insured, credit-based loan. international students who meet the following criteria may be eligible for funds through this program::
- Are enrolled at least half-time at a four- or five-year college or university approved by the U.S. Department of Education ; and
- Are working on an undergraduate or graduate degree; and
- Have an eligible U.S. cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
The Leo S. Rowe Pan American Fund grants student loans to competent persons from Latin American and Caribbean countries, members of the Organization of American States, to help them finance their higher education studies in the United States, with the understanding that, upon completing those studies, they will be in a position to give their respective countries the benefit of their training.
The Ford Foundation is committing $330 million dollars over ten years to fund a scholarship program to provide higher education to promising members of groups --from Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and Russia--that are underrepresented at universities. Most of the money will go to the International Fellowships Program. This program will allow ap to 3,500 students to pursue up to three years of master's or doctoral studies at a university of their choice anywhere in the world.