Tips For Indian Students to Manage Expenses While Studying in the USA

It is a dream come true for many Indian students who get the opportunity to study in USA. Apart from adjusting to the new environment, students have to manage their finances. Living expenses are the biggest chunk of studying abroad and students must find ways to minimise this heavy cost.

Indian students studying at American universities can use these valuable tips to navigate and effectively manage their finances. All while enjoying the culture of one of the top 3 countries to study abroad in 202 according to a survey by The WorldGrad.

7 Tips to Reduce Cost of Studying in USA

For Indian students studying in America for the first time, money may appear to disappear if no budgeting is made. Worry not, we have seven tips to help students ace their financial woes with smart adjustments.

Tip #1- Research & Budget Accordingly

The cost of studying in USA can be estimated with the help of tuition fee guides. But for Indian students, the living expenses are what causes more concern. Pre-departure research and planning will be crucial to estimating budget expectations.

The expenses to study in USA can be quite shocking if no research and budgeting are carried out. Also, students who make the mistake of not researching will not know the tips and tricks for cutting costs to save money.

Besides searching the internet, Indian students who know someone who is studying in the USA can approach them with questions. This would provide a more accurate and reliable source of information.

Tip #2- Scholarships & Financial Aid

This one is a bit obvious but has high effects on reducing tuition fees and perhaps helping to cut down accommodation costs. Depending on the course details scholarship options for Indian students in USA universities can vary.

Regardless, Indian students stand a chance of saving a lot of money with scholarships and other means of financial aid. Even while pursuing the second semester or year of studies, it is worth looking into.

Students looking to get a scholarship may be required to provide SAT scores. Wondering if you can study in USA without SATs?

Tip #3- Apply for Part-Time Jobs

Part-time jobs are a highly common way for international students to earn extra money. This can be used to manage living expenses while they study in USA. Although it won’t be much, it still helps offset increasing financial stress.

Indian students looking for part-time jobs must be aware there are working restrictions that apply to these jobs.

• Full-time students can work up to 20 hours a week when the academic year is in progress
• Full-time students can work up to 40 hours a week during academic breaks

Students need to abide by these restrictions. A violation of these rules has repercussions and in rare cases, it can lead to visa cancellation. Also, working ability and restrictions are dependent on visa type.

The money earned from a part-time job varies depending on the role. The average pay for a part-time job is $10 – $25 depending on the job role.

Indian students can read this to learn more about part-time work while studying abroad.

Tip #4- Shared Accommodation

Accommodation is usually a major contributor to the cost of studying in USA. For Indian students in USA who want to reduce their expenses, affordable accommodation is crucial.

Seeking housing on campus helps to reduce accommodation costs while also reducing transportation costs. Off-campus accommodation is usually more expensive than on-campus accommodation.

Students looking to study abroad in USA from India have an extra option available to them. Shared accommodation involves acquiring accommodation and sharing it with other people, students ideally.

Costs can be shared equally across all the roommates and everyone effectively cuts down their expenses.

Tip #5- Utilise Public Transport

While convenient transport options exist such as taxi booking services, these options are expensive. They will not be a feasible option for Indian students. Instead, the cost-efficient alternative is public transportation.

The USA has a strong public transportation system, ranking from taxis to buses, and even subway services. Depending on the location, distance to be travelled, and cost, students can find their fit.

Money saved from public transport can be used elsewhere. Making the change requires Indian students to become familiar with the timetable and timings.

Tip #6- Ask for Student Discounts

With some of the best universities in USA offering quality education, international students are not a novel sight for local businesses. As a result, there are benefits for Indian students and other international students.

Businesses offer discounts to students and usually have it noted. If no notice is given, students can still ask to confirm if it is available as there is no harm in trying to save.

These discounts are available in many places and getting such discounts on groceries or transport would be a great way to lower living costs.

Tip #7- Food Costs – Eat Wisely

Study in USA can become increasingly expensive when you consider some of the smaller details. One of them is food since eating out regularly can work out to be costly. There are chances that the food is not prepared properly and can lead to sickness after consumption.

Another fact is that Indian students may not take to the local cuisines of the country. As a result, if the facilities are available, cooking at home offers several benefits other than just saving money.

There is something largely appealing about healthy home-cooked meals, especially for homesick Indian students.

How The WorldGrad Helps Manage Expenses While Indian Students Study in USA

The WorldGrad is an education provider that has designed specially curated Smart Programs according to the needs of students.

These Smart Programs include partnerships with globally ranked institutions and the best universities in USA for Indian students. These universities cover undergraduate and postgraduate level courses. Indian students start their studies with The WorldGrad before progressing to their university in the USA, saving money.

Once completing their first semester with The WorldGrad, Indian students will be eligible for fee subsidies, scholarships, or financial aid.

Other benefits of our Smart Programs:

• Academic success as students ease into the new education ecosystem 
• Guaranteed admission to global top 2% institutions due to tie-ups 
• Higher visa success rates as students show commitment 
• Access to one-on-one educators/tutorship, 7 days a week 

All of which can effectively reduce the cost of studying in USA for Indian students. Indian students who choose The WorldGrad are highly likely to be successful in their educational careers.

Conclusion

For a student, managing expenses while you study in USA can be an added stress. Especially if poor planning and research were done. This blog serves as a USA education guide for Indian students looking to manage costs and make the most of their education experience without encountering unnecessary financial pressures.

The tips include looking for scholarships, sharing accommodation, using public transport, part-time jobs, homecooked food, and looking for student discounts.

FAQs

Q.1 How can Indian students find part-time jobs while they study in USA?

A.1 There are a variety of places to start looking for jobs as a student in the USA. Online job sites, campus career teams, word of mouth, tutorship, and cafe and dining businesses are the best ways to find part-time jobs.

Q.2 Is it possible to find on-campus part-time jobs?

A.2 While it is possible to find these on-campus jobs that are cost-efficient, they may not pay better than off-campus jobs. Also, students would have high competition when trying to get these part-time opportunities. Still, many students vie for these jobs as they are a way to experience the best student life in American universities.

Q.3 How likely are Indian students to get a scholarship?

A.3 Indian students are very likely to obtain a scholarship, especially if they choose The WorldGrad as an education solution. There are certain scholarships available exclusively for students looking to study abroad in USA from India.

Author: Deepak Shukla