{"id":8431,"date":"2022-05-17T11:46:55","date_gmt":"2022-05-17T11:46:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fulbright.nl\/advice\/master\/financiering\/"},"modified":"2025-10-13T07:06:03","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T07:06:03","slug":"step2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/fulbright.nl\/en\/advice\/master\/step2\/","title":{"rendered":"Financing a master&#8217;s degree"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content_no_spaces&#8221; el_class=&#8221;.zijbar-vervolg&#8221;][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm&#8221;][vc_widget_sidebar show_bg=&#8221;false&#8221; sidebar_id=&#8221;sidebar_4&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;.heading-vs-vervolg&#8221; el_id=&#8221;header-vs1&#8243;][vc_column]<div id=\"ultimate-heading-514369fb693a5e5b0\" class=\"uvc-heading ult-adjust-bottom-margin ultimate-heading-514369fb693a5e5b0 uvc-2065  uvc-heading-default-font-sizes\" data-hspacer=\"no_spacer\"  data-halign=\"left\" style=\"text-align:left\"><div class=\"uvc-heading-spacer no_spacer\" style=\"top\"><\/div><div class=\"uvc-main-heading ult-responsive\"  data-ultimate-target='.uvc-heading.ultimate-heading-514369fb693a5e5b0 h1'  data-responsive-json-new='{\"font-size\":\"\",\"line-height\":\"\"}' ><h1 style=\"--font-weight:theme;\">Financing a master's degree in the US<\/h1><\/div><\/div>[vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4>If you plan to study in the US, think about your budget and finding financing as early as the initial planning stage. Start doing this a year to a year and a half before departure. It is tempting to focus on admission first, but if you wait until after your admission to find financing, in most cases you will be too late to successfully arrange it. Realize that there are strict cut-off dates for applying for financial aid, often before you are certain of your admission.<\/h4>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]There are several sources of funding available to graduate and PhD students. It is our experience that a student rarely gets the full amount from one source, so it is important that you apply to several institutions for financial aid. Below you can read more about the costs and funding options for your studies.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4>Costs<\/h4>\n<p>Studying in the United States is expensive. It is not possible to give absolute amounts because costs vary by institution, program and region. A study stay in the US will cost between $15,000 and $75,000 per year.[\/vc_column_text][vc_cta h2=&#8221;&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;]There are many funding opportunities for graduate and PhD students, so don&#8217;t be immediately discouraged by the high tuition fees of American institutions. Here are some tips that will help make your stay affordable:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Start researching both university scholarship opportunities and outside scholarship funds as early as possible. Scholarship application deadlines often close before you receive notice of admission from the university, thus, you should not wait to seek financial aid until you are accepted to a university.<\/li>\n<li>Apply to multiple institutions and be open and flexible to the university location.<\/li>\n<li>Submit scholarship applications to multiple funds. Many sources of funding give partial scholarships, so it is important to submit multiple applications.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_cta][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]The major difference between universities is caused primarily by the varying tuition. There is no national organization in the US that sets tuition levels; universities and colleges are more or less free to set it themselves.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;5862&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4>How can you find affordable universities?<\/h4>\n<p>Tuition at state universities is generally lower than at private universities because state universities are partially subsidized by the governments of the states in which they are located. The subsidy given must primarily benefit residents of the state; therefore, state institutions often charge two tuition rates: one for students from the state (in-state tuition) and one for other students (out-of-state tuition). The latter amount is always higher, but is often lower than at private institutions. On the other hand, private institutions are sometimes actually able to offer good scholarships.<\/p>\n<p>A second factor determining the large differences in costs is the location of the university. The cost of living varies by region: living in the Northeast or on the West Coast of the United States, for example, is more expensive than living in states in the middle of the country. In addition, living expenses at rural universities are generally significantly cheaper than living at a university in a large city.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_cta h2=&#8221;Application costs&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;]Keep in mind that you will incur costs immediately upon registration. Consider:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Admission tests such as the TOEFL and GRE or GMAT<br \/>\n<\/strong>$50 to $255 per test, plus any costs for sending score reports<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Application fees for universities*<\/strong><br \/>\nBetween $50 and $100 per university<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>*If you have a limited budget, it is sometimes possible to apply for an application fee waiver. This will exempt you from university application fees.[\/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=&#8221;Study costs&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;]Below is an estimate of tuition costs per year. It is not possible to give absolute amounts because costs vary greatly from institution to institution and from region to region. Any scholarships are not included in these costs. Thus, your final cost will also be determined by your scholarship opportunities.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Tuition\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>\n$10,000 to $65,000 per academic year<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Charges for use of services (fees)<\/strong><br \/>\n$300 to $1,500 per academic year<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Books and study materials<\/strong><br \/>\n$750 or more per academic year<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Want to see a list of colleges by cost? Through <a href=\"https:\/\/collegecost.ed.gov\/affordability\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">College Cost<\/a>, a US government site, you can filter colleges based on tuition.[\/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=&#8221;Insurance&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;]It is important to have good medical insurance during your stay in the US. Sometimes you can stay insured in the Netherlands. In other cases, you must also take out US health insurance.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Health insurance\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>\n$300 to $3,000 per year<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Campus health clinic fee <\/strong><br \/>\n$150 to $300 per year<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_cta][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_cta h2=&#8221;Travel costs&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;]Prior to and during your stay in the US, you will incur travel-related expenses. The application fee for your visa is a one-time fee.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Student visa application and SEVIS fee <\/strong><br \/>\n$380 \u2013 $510, depending on visa type<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Return to airport in the US\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>\n$500 \u2013 $1,500 depending on destination<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Daily travel costs<\/strong><br \/>\nIf you live on campus, these costs will be minimal. There is often public transportation on campus. If you live off campus, consider a bicycle. Car costs will be significantly higher.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=&#8221;Room and dining&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;]As a graduate student, you usually live off campus. Sometimes you can rent a room on campus. You can also buy a meal plan there. Do you want to live off campus? Then you often have to consider higher costs.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Room and dining (on campus)<\/strong><br \/>\n$8,000 to $15,000 per academic year<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Room and dining (off campus)<\/strong><br \/>\nRoom: $6,000 to $12,000 per year<br \/>\nDining: $1,500 to $3,500 per year*<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>*Students who do not live on campus can purchase a credit for on-campus meals if desired.<\/p>\n<p>Want to know the cost of living in different cities and regions? You can use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.numbeo.com\/cost-of-living\/\">Numbeo<\/a> to compare the \u201ccost of living\u201d in different cities.[\/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=&#8221;Miscellaneous&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;]As in the Netherlands, during your stay in the US, you will spend money on vacations, trips, clothing, and other personal expenses.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Staying during holidays<br \/>\n<\/strong>$1,500 to $3,000 per year<br \/>\nMost campuses are closed during winter and summer holidays, so you must provide alternative housing during this time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Personal expenses\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>\n$1,500 to $3,000 per year<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_cta][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;16px&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;16px&#8221;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;4259&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4>Financial support from universities<\/h4>\n<p>American universities fund a large number of foreign graduate students. There are three types of funding given by US universities: a fellowship, a teaching assistantship, or a research assistantship. PhD students often have more fellowship opportunities than master&#8217;s students.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid\">\n<div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<h5>Fellowship<em><br \/>\n<\/em><\/h5>\n<p>A scholarship is usually awarded to outstanding students pursuing a PhD program. The scholarship will usually consist of tuition remission and a monthly stipend.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h5>Teaching assistantship<em><br \/>\n<\/em><\/h5>\n<p>An assistantship is a type of job averaging twenty hours a week. For example, you assist a professor, teach first-year students, or review exams. It is the most common type of funding for students in the humanities, languages, and social sciences.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h5>Research assistantship <strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>A research assistantship usually involves assisting with individual professors&#8217; research projects or faculty projects. Assistantships generally cover tuition and other expenses for a year of study. A living allowance is also often included.<\/p>\n<p>The department or faculty of the university to which you apply decides which applicant will receive an assistantship. Requirements for assistantships vary by institution, but in general, teaching assistants are expected to be good teachers.<\/p>\n<p>Keep in mind that the closing dates for assistantships are often earlier than those for admission to a university.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid\">\n<div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<h4>Apply for financial aid<\/h4>\n<p>Realize that deadlines for applying for financial aid close early, sometimes even before the application deadlines. The most up-to-date information about scholarship opportunities can be found on the websites of the institutions themselves. For example, check the graduate school&#8217;s financial aid information and the information from the specific department where you will be applying.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4>External scholarship funds<\/h4>\n<p>There are a few Dutch and many US independent sponsors and quasi-governmental organizations where you can apply for financial aid for graduate-level study. Closing dates for applications to external funds are often earlier than you receive notice of admission to a university, thus, you should not wait to seek financial aid until you are accepted to a university. In addition, many funders give partial scholarships, so it is important to submit multiple applications.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid\">\n<div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<h5>Fulbright scholarships<\/h5>\n<p>The Fulbright Commission itself runs the Fulbright program, which is subsidized by the Dutch and US governments and also receives increasing support from donors. The Fulbright grant is currently $50,000 and is intended for students wishing to pursue a master&#8217;s degree or research in the US. PhD students are not eligible for a Fulbright scholarship. Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/fulbright.nl\/naar-de-vs\/ik-ben-student\/fulbright-beurzen\/\">page on Fulbright scholarships<\/a> for more information on requirements and deadlines.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h5>KHMW-Eizenga scholarship<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>For graduate students who wish to pursue a master&#8217;s degree in economics or MBA in the US. The scholarship is $50,000. Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/fulbright.nl\/naar-de-vs\/ik-ben-student\/khmw-eizenga\/\">KHMW-Eizenga scholarship page<\/a> for more information on requirements and deadlines.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h5>Other scholarship funds<\/h5>\n<p>Several search engines and reference works offer an overview of other scholarship funds in the Netherlands and the US. The sources below can help you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilweg.nl\/financiering\/beursopener\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Beursopener<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.fundingusstudy.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">FundingUSstudy<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.petersons.com\/scholarship-search.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Peterson\u2019s Scholarship Search<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/educationusa.state.gov\/find-financial-aid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">EducationUSA<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Student loans<\/h4>\n<p>Do you meet the general requirements to apply for a student loan? Then you may qualify for a loan to accompany your studies in the US. More information can be found on the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.duo.nl\">DUO<\/a> website. If you are not a Dutch citizen, you can also inquire about loans or scholarships provided in your home country.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content_no_spaces&#8221; el_class=&#8221;.zijbar-vervolg&#8221;][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm&#8221;][vc_widget_sidebar show_bg=&#8221;false&#8221; sidebar_id=&#8221;sidebar_4&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;.heading-vs-vervolg&#8221; el_id=&#8221;header-vs1&#8243;][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;] If you plan to study in the US, think about your budget and finding financing as early as the initial planning stage. Start doing this a year to a year and a half before departure. It is tempting to focus on admission first, but&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":8405,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-8431","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","description-off"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fulbright.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8431","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fulbright.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fulbright.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fulbright.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fulbright.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8431"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/fulbright.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8431\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10486,"href":"https:\/\/fulbright.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8431\/revisions\/10486"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fulbright.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8405"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fulbright.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8431"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}