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Creating & Living on a Student Budget

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Be Prepared

To prepare a realistic budget, you will need to account for both administrative and personal expenses. Here is a list to get you started on factors you might consider:
  • Health insurance
  • Tuition and other academic fees
  • Books
  • Academic supplies
  • Dorm/Rent
  • Utilities
  • Telephone
  • Furnishings
  • Food & Board
  • Entertainment and leisure (movies, restaurants, snacks/beverages)
  • Clothing
  • Laundry/Cleaning
  • Commuting and local transportation
  • Dependents
  • Taxes
Keep in mind that the cost of living varies from city to city throughout the host country, and that large urban areas tend to be more expensive (in terms of housing, food, clothing, and entertainment) than rural areas. Check school catalogues for information on the range of projected costs involved with your program for more area-specific numbers.

Finding Funding

If you have already secured funding from your local government, make sure to convert enough of it into travellers cheques that you can then deposit in your local account (to be opened as soon as you arrive at your host country).

You may also be eligible for financial aid or student awards, depending on the program and on the agreement terms between your home and host countries. Remember that awards received from colleges or universities in the United States, for example, are usually taxed. Note that health insurance should be prioritized as a crucial part of your expenses.

Lastly, you may also be able to work part-time as a student. The number of hours will be limited by the workload of your program along with immigration rules and regulations covering international students. Check with your international study advisor upon arrival to find out about work-study openings around campus and to confirm your status.

For more suggestions, please browse through the reference materials included in our Study Abroad lessons. You will find many guides and other resources created especially for international students.


Ask The Experts



  1. manisha jadav saidMon, 24 Nov 2008 13:57:56 -0000 ( Link )

    Hi, I am MANISHA. Which city or state in usa has moderate expense of living & study , But best for study? I am planning foor the fall 2009 for bachelors in electrical engineering . I have complited my diploma of three years from M.S.UNIVERSITY, BARODA, INDIA PLEASE SUGGEST ME WHICH IS BETTER FOR ME . There is no relatives of mine in USA here is my E-mail address jadav_manisha@yahoo.com

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  2. MayMay saidWed, 10 Dec 2008 19:44:12 -0000 ( Link )

    Hi there Manisha,

    I’m glad to hear that you’re interested in studying within the U.S.!

    I suggest you join LearnHub’s Study in Illinois community.

    Here you’ll be able to network with educators and students who are currently studying or are thinking about pursuing studies within the State of Illinois. There’s a number of lessons available there that I think will be helpful to you.

    Also, please join the Study Abroad USA community.

    If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.

    Good Luck!

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  3. alhad saidFri, 19 Dec 2008 08:59:34 -0000 ( Link )

    very good lesson

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  4. Venkatramani saidTue, 03 Feb 2009 05:21:47 -0000 ( Link )

    What about Texas May?

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  5. liszt85 saidThu, 05 Feb 2009 02:26:10 -0000 ( Link )

    Hi,

    I just got admission into Northwestern University. My fellowship stipend is going to be $1710 per month before taxes. The website says that a 14% tax will be levied. Will the remaining amount be sufficient to support myself and my spouse (who, in the worst case scenario, would not be working) in Evanston, IL, USA?
    -Vishnu
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  6. srinivas_red saidSat, 21 Feb 2009 07:14:17 -0000 ( Link )

    Hi i am srinivas.I am planning foor the fall 2010 for bachelors computer science.I am studying BTECH THIRD year, loyola college, andhra padesh. I would like to study in US.But the present situvation is bad in US.So now which country is better for study.After completed my postgraduation in US .In case i do’t have a job.Whats my position.So please sujest me.Which country is better US,cannada,UK.Please tell me…...........

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  7. albrecht saidFri, 27 Feb 2009 15:54:37 -0000 ( Link )

    Hi Vishnu,

    Congratulations on your admission to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois! That is a very exciting accomplishment.

    Only you and your wife will be the ones who can truly know your own financial situations best and make the decisions on whether or not you can be sufficiently supported on that financial stipend. Living in the USA can have a fairly high-cost of living though so you will want to do lots of research and perhaps even talk with a financial planner about your options.

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  8. albrecht saidFri, 27 Feb 2009 15:58:54 -0000 ( Link )

    Hi Srinivas,

    The present economic situation around the world is definitely changed the education and job prospects upon graduation in many countries, not just the USA. There are still many benefits to coming abroad to study during these times especially since your plan to study is still a year away.

    I would suggest that you read through the materials in each of our Study Canada Study USA and Study UK communities on LearnHub to better educate yourself on the benefits of each.

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  9. ssantosh_git saidMon, 16 Mar 2009 04:34:27 -0000 ( Link )

    Hi friends … this is Santosh, newly joined to learnhub. i am presently in final year engi. i would like to do M.S and i don’t have best suggestion in regarding this and life in this recession period in U.S.A. and what would be t best score in GRE to join MIT, LOWELL.

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  10. oLahav saidMon, 16 Mar 2009 14:14:29 -0000 ( Link )

    This differs by program. One engineering program at MIT requires 450 verbal (For non English speakers, plus you’ll need a TOEFL score), 700 quantitative, and 4.5 writing as a minimum. The higher you get, the better. You should look at the school’s website for official info.

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