Financing your studies at a community college

Studying in the United States is expensive, but there is certainly a difference in the cost of each university. It is possible to study in America affordably, but this also requires proper research. In doing so, it is important to establish from the beginning what your budget is. Your budget will help determine the choices you have, but also remember that the tuition fees on the university website are often higher than the amount you will end up paying (provided scholarship opportunities are available.)

Unlike with an American master’s degree, there are few funding opportunities outside of college-given scholarships for an associate’s degree. This means that for Dutch students who want to study at a community college in the US after graduation, there are three distinct sources of funding:

Savings from your parent(s)/caregiver(s) and your own income, if any
A (partial) scholarship from the American university
Study loan from DUO

Keep in mind that full scholarships are scarce. Most students will have to finance (part of) their American studies with their own money. Read more about costs, scholarship options and student loans below.

Costs

The cost of your studies can vary considerably from university to university and from region to region. It is therefore not possible to give certain amounts, but it is possible to give an estimate of the average cost. If you already know which university you want to attend, you can find more precise amounts on the website.

Scholarships

Community colleges offer (limited) scholarships for international students. There are different types of scholarships, given based on academic criteria, talents in sports or arts, or financial need. Finding scholarships requires good research.

Student loan

For study in the US, in some cases, you can bring a Dutch student loan from DUO. DUO determines whether your program meets the conditions and can tell you what they are. For more information about your specific degree program, contact DUO.

Contact DUO

Continuing your studies in a bachelor’s degree
Want to continue studying in the US after earning an associate’s degree? The cost at a community college can be significantly lower than the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college. Starting at a community college may therefore be a cheaper alternative. Also check out the cost of a bachelor’s degree.