Working Through College

In addition to financial aid, another way many Americans finance their studies is to work their way through school. Many Americans would never finish their degrees without working to help pay the costs.

Working on Campus: Many colleges do offer work-study programs to foreign students. These jobs usually entail manning a help desk, working at the library, or maybe even mowing the campus lawns. Payment for these jobs is generally minimum wage (Minimum wage in the USA varies from state to state, but $7.50 is usually the norm). Foreign students are limited to working 20 hours a week, on or off-campus (although off-campus requires special authorization and is available only after the first academic year - see below). so you should not depend on work to provide you with much money during the school year. During holidays and school vacation, however, a foreign student with the proper paperwork (Social Security Number) can work an unlimited number of hours on-campus, so you may be able to earn a significant amount over the summers.

Working Off-Campus: As a foreign student, finding work off-campus in the United States is not an option at first, but once you have spent a year in the United States you may be eligible for a special student work permit that allows you to work off-campus. After you have been studying in the United States for a year, go to the International Student's Office at your school or to the school's Registrar's Office, and they can give you the necessary forms to apply to work off campus. Only the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can grant you permission, but your school can help you apply. If you are approved, you will still be limited to working no more than 20 hours a week while school is in session, although you may work full-time during holidays or school vacation. Being able to work off-campus during the summers not only helps with money, but also allows you the opportunity to accumulate valuable work experience while you are still a student.

 Visit Places and Have Fun in the USA

You are not in America just to work and study, but also to have fun. The best way to experience the country is if you travel and interact with people. Airfares are very cheap when you fly within borders. There are numerous locations that you should visit while in the USA. You should not miss out on visiting New York City, Miami, Las Vegas, Chicago, San Francisco, and other major cities and attractions.

• Cheap International and US domestic flights
• Cheap International and US domestic flights
• Cheap International and US domestic flights