Financial Aid for International Students

Scholarships
International students may not apply for scholarships until they have attended Wichita State University for one year.  Last year, Wichita State awarded almost US$700,000 in scholarships and financial aid to international undergraduate students.  These scholarships are competitively awarded and are based upon your grades at Wichita State.  International students are not eligible for scholarships based upon financial need. The grade point average (GPA) requirement needed to apply for scholarships varies depending on the scholarship. Good SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS (and other test scores) will not improve your chances of getting a scholarship. Academic scholarships normally range from US$200 to US$2,500 and will not pay for all of your educational expenses. Because there are a limited number of scholarships available, we cannot guarantee that you will receive financial assistance.

Working on Campus
International students may apply for on-campus jobs and work up to 20 hours per week after they arrive. Students may work in offices, the library, cafeterias, or assist custodians in cleaning. By working 20 hours per week, students can earn approximately US$500 per month. On-campus employment is not guaranteed.

Installment Payment Plan
Wichita State University recognizes that education in the U.S. can be expensive for some international students. In order to help, the University allows students to pay their tuition in smaller payments or installments. The Installment Payment Plan allows students to make four payments during the semester (instead of making one large payment at the beginning of the semester). Students make their first payment when they register for their classes and three additional payments during the semester. There is a US$30 administrative fee for the installment plan and no interest is charged. You may apply for the payment plan after you arrive on campus.

Low Cost-of-Living
The cost-of-living in Wichita is very low in comparison to other cities in the US -- especially cities on the coasts. In fact, the cost-of-living in Wichita is less than half that of living in New York or San Francisco.  Our low cost-of-living is also reflected in the cost of our tuition. Even though Wichita State is a national university with an excellent reputation, we are often less expensive than other universities in the US -- even universities which might offer you a partial scholarship.

Check out:  University Cost Comparisons
                  Cost-of-Living Comparisons
                  Comparison of Average One-Bedroom Apartment Costs in Select U.S. Cities

Other Financial Aid Resources
You may also search the web for other sources of financial aid. We recommend that you begin your search by visiting the following website:
http://webs.wichita.edu/?u=finaid_international&p=/index

We also recommend that you check out the TOEFL Scholarship Program.