Need some advice on college.

[darth_vader]

Specifically, I want to study for a degree at Berklee. The problem is, I'm Australian, and I could use a bit of help understanding how people in the US go about paying for college. I understand you have to pay the whole tuition fee, but is there some system in place to help, such as student loans etc?

I realize that it might seem far-fetched to just up and say I want to attend Berklee, but I've got about 12-18 months of a PhD in science to finish up, so I'm at least confident that my academic abilities are up to scratch, and I would really love to study music in such a great environment, so I'm working my ass off to improve my guitar playing (been playing about 7 years). If I can just get a handle on the best ways to handle paying for tuition, then I'm most of the way there, at least as far as the annoying details go.

If needs be I can probably raise a year's tuition up front by saving some cash, but that leaves the rest of the tuition, plus living expenses to pay for. I had a look through their scholarships page, but there's not a lot on offer for international students.

If you can provide me with a bit of insight, that would be great!

Thank you :)

[macheesmo3]

I don't think foriegn nationals can use our federal student loan and grant programs. You can , however , get a student loan backed by a bank.( however , Australia may help you pay for school in America. need to check with the financial aid folks there !)

Good Luck!

[semore butts]

My son had 33K in student loans for school.

Scheduled to pay off over 15 years to the tune of 64K.

What a ripoff! He would graduate with a monthly debt of $350 for student loans. Then stack on your regular bills.

What are your options to go back to Australia to school?

That way you would be away from your lazy assed "kid brother" as well!:D

I thought you were already working on your graduate stuff? Isn't that what you said you were doing while you were dealing with youre little brother?

You aren't "blowing smoke" are you?

[darth_vader]

My son had 33K in student loans for school.

Scheduled to pay off over 15 years to the tune of 64K.

What a ripoff! He would graduate with a monthly debt of $350 for student loans. Then stack on your regular bills.

What are your options to go back to Australia to school?

That way you would be away from your lazy assed "kid brother" as well!:D

I thought you were already working on your graduate stuff? Isn't that what you said you were doing while you were dealing with youre little brother?

You aren't "blowing smoke" are you?

That's right, I'm working on my doctorate here in Australia, but I'd really love to study music in the US for a few years, and Berklee seems like a really cool place to study. I could get a student loan to study here in Australia, but I feel like a change, y'know?

[Luke]

My son had 33K in student loans for school.

Scheduled to pay off over 15 years to the tune of 64K.

What a ripoff!

Are banks in business to give money away for free? In 15 years the money will half of the buying power due to inflation, figure it out, 3% a year x 15 years = a 45% reduction. So the REALIZED gain for the bank is the other 3%, YOOHOO BFD.

[teleman1]

You do know that one of the prerequisites for Berklee admission is an infatuation with the Beatles!?

[23cicero]

Hey Darth Vader,

I'm a Canadian but I did study (w/desperate need for financial assistance) in Australia. One thing: I agree w/ Macheesmo that it's unlikely that you would get financial assistance from the host country unless it was as a Grad student and the university reeeeally wanted you to go there. Why don't you talk to the people at Berklee and see what they have to say about financial aid for foreign students? I think that would be your best bet for some $$ help. That said, in my case, I got a student loan from the "Canadian" government. I think the idea behind it is you're getting training and an education that will be in the end used in your home country so they'll fund the students (if you qualify).
I hope that's of some use. G'day.

[smiert spionam]

In general, the kinds of guaranteed student loans that are crucial to most American college students aren't available to international students.

This is often a challenge for international students where I teach, here in the States. It's compounded by the fact that they can't legally get a job when they're here, so they're heavily dependent on the funding sources they bring with them from outside.

Talk with the counselors at your current university about Australian funding options, and check in with Berklee as well. They'll have some suggestions -- though it will likely boil down to consumer loans that are at higher rates and require better credit.

[Bryan T]

I want to attend Berklee, but I've got about 12-18 months of a PhD in science to finish up

You sound like me. "Maybe once I finish this Ph.D. I'll pursue a degree in music." I haven't talked myself into it yet, though I do know it is the right thing to do.

Bryan

[cadduc]

contact berkelee directly
talk to the admissions people
and they can direct you to loans
and let you know what restrictions there may be conceerning foreign students

[prsflame]

There are some specific programs that give loans/aid to foreign students, but I don't know the details. Best bet is to call the financial aid office, and ask. I'm entering a conservatory in the spring on a full merit scholarship. Otherise, I'd never borrow this kinda $$ again, but everybody's mileage varies. I just finished paying Sallie-Mae the 40K I borrowed for my Masters last December.:D With the financial crisis here in the states, I'm hearing that student loans are much harder to come by.

Many of the Music Conservatories like "non traditional" students (at least, this is what they're calling me, at age 35, coming from another background of study). Having a passion for music, life experience, and doing well at your audition, may open you up for different grants/scholarships that are given out by private individuals, regardless of what country you're from. If a department head is interested in you, they will work hard to get you there, and get you $$$. Again, YMMV. Best of luck.

[loudboy]

Doesn't Berklee have a fairly liberal "scholarship" program, which amounts to the equivalent of getting a discount?

[darth_vader]

Thank you for the advice everyone!

...

Many of the Music Conservatories like "non traditional" students (at least, this is what they're calling me, at age 35, coming from another background of study). Having a passion for music, life experience, and doing well at your audition, may open you up for different grants/scholarships that are given out by private individuals, regardless of what country you're from. If a department head is interested in you, they will work hard to get you there, and get you $$$. Again, YMMV. Best of luck.

I was hoping that my extra experience would count for something. Berklee do say they look for people with good problem-solving skills, so surely my background in science can only help!

You sound like me. "Maybe once I finish this Ph.D. I'll pursue a degree in music." I haven't talked myself into it yet, though I do know it is the right thing to do.

Bryan

I've been tossing this around in my head for the last 12 months, and it's been the money that's held me back from committing - even if I study over here, I'll end up owing the government $20,000 on top of the $30k I owe them for my last degree. In the end, I just had to take a step back and realize that no amount of money is worth the regret I'd feel in 20 years for not jumping in and doing it.

I'm sure I can do this (I really, really want to study at Berklee), it's just a matter of getting around the money. I'm sure I can pull it together somehow, I just need to work out how.

Thanks again!