COSTS FOR STUDYING AND LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES
Listed
below are basic costs which are subject to change. Costs are listed in
U.S. dollars for 1990. Use these estimates for planning but always be
aware of increases for all items. Be certain to account for bank changes
and currency devaluation in changing from local currency to U.S. dollars.
In a few cases, students are required to submit a deposit equal to a
year's tuition, or even a year's estimated costs, in advance. |
| ITEM |
RANGE OF COSTS |
EXPLANATORY NOTES |
| I. COST OF APPLICATION |
| Application Fees |
$10-$75 per institution |
Application fees are usually non-refundable. |
| Fees for Academic Entrance Examinations and English Proficiency
Examinations |
$20-$75 per examination |
Additional costs may include travel to and from the test center and
additional score reports. |
| II. COST OF STUDY PER ACADEMIC YEAR |
| Tuition (cost of study) |
$3,000-$22,000 per academic year (nine months) |
Tuition is usually lower for community colleges and technical training
institutes. At state-financed universities, foreign students (and students
from other states) are charged the "out-of-state" tuition fee. |
| Fees for Use of University Services |
$100-$550 per academic year |
Students in fields such as engineering, art and architecture may have
additional materials fees or laboratory fees. |
| Books and Study Materials |
$500 or more per academic year |
For some fields, such as engineering, books and study materials may be
much more expensive. Since papers must be typewritten, budget for typing
services (often $2 per page) or plan to buy a typewriter or computer.
|
| III. TRANSPORTATION COSTS |
| Travel to the U.S. |
Check with your travel agent |
Ask for lower rates for early ticket purchase and youth fares.
Sometimes special inexpensive tickets for domestic travel within the U.S.
are available overseas. |
| Travel form Port of Entry to Campus |
Up to $1,300 round trip (regular coach fare) plus ground
transportation |
Choice of campus location near your port of entry can reduce this cost
significantly. Air travel is most convenient; bus travel is less
expensive, but distances are great. |
| Daily Transportation Costs |
Variable |
If you live on campus, you may have few or no transportation costs. If
you live off campus, budget for a bicycle or other public transport. It is
better to avoid buying an automobile. |
IV. COST OF LIVING PER ACADEMIC YEAR
Since the cost of
living varies from one location to the next, it is only possible to give
you estimates of what your stay in the United States is likely to cost.
|
| 1. Housing on Campus |
| Residence Hall Charges (Room and Board) |
$2,200-$5,500 per academic year |
Room and board charges include housing plus a specified number of
meals. Room and board arrangements must be made well in advance of the
start of the academic year. If all meals are not covered in the contract,
you must budget $100-$200 for additional meals. |
| Cost of Furnishings |
About $100-$150 or more per academic year |
Residence hall rooms are usually furnished with only a bed, a desk, a
table, a chair and a closet. You will need to provide lamps, sheets,
towels and decorations. |
| Academic Vacations |
About $1,000-$1,500 per academic year |
Many residence halls close during academic vacations. Students who
cannot return home during these periods must find other arrangements for
living and eating. These extra costs are not included in room and board
contracts. Ask the housing office of the institutions you are considering
about policies regarding academic vacations. |
| Housing for Families |
About $200-$600 per academic year |
On some campuses a limited number of "married student housing" units
may be available. Competition is always keen; application may have to be
made nine to 10 months in advance. |
| 2. Housing: Off Campus |
| Hotel Accommodations |
$25-$100 per night |
If it is necessary to find housing after you arrive, at least a short
stay in a hotel or YMCA may be necessary. |
| Single Furnished Room |
$150-$350 per month |
Costs are lower in rural areas, higher in urban areas. |
| Furnished One-Bedroom Apartment |
$200-$600 per month, more in large cities |
A furnished apartment comes with furniture, draperies, and usually
carpets, but often does not provide dishes, bed linens, or cooking
equipment. Larger or luxury apartments cost much more. |
| Unfurnished Apartment |
$150-$500 per month, more in large cities |
Unfurnished apartments cost less, but the cost of buying or leasing
furniture can be has high as $500-$1,500 per year. Utilities, if not
included in the rent, can cost up to $200 or more per month, depending on
usage. |
| NOTE: Telephones are not included in furnished or
unfurnished apartments. Installing a telephone often requires a refundable
deposit of $100 or more as well as installation charges and monthly
charges for rental and use. |
| 3. Meals |
$1,000-$3,000; more for meals in restaurants |
Students who live off campus can often purchase meal tickets for
campus dining halls; these range from $1,000-$1,800. If you have access to
a kitchen, you may want to do your own cooking (Cooking is not allowed in
most residence halls.) Shopping for fo |
