Financial Information
International Services Office
Students and their sponsors should understand the long-term financial investment involved in studying and living in the U.S. Careful budgeting will help prevent unrealistic expectations, financial uncertainty and undue family personal hardship. Do not underestimate the total costs involved. Insufficient funds will negatively affect your immigration status and study program if you are absent from school because of unpaid tuition, medical bills or apartment rent. One of the most frequent problems encountered by international students is erratic and insufficient funding.
Cost of Living
The cost of living and obtaining higher education in the U.S. is high. Increases in tuition/fees, books and living expenses occur annually due to inflation and should be anticipated. UB does not assume financial responsibility for students when their funds arrive late or in insufficient amounts. Please review the Estimate of Annual Expenses.
Admissions
Applicants holding or seeking nonimmigrant F-1 Student visa status must submit evidence that a financial sponsor is willing and able to guarantee funding of 100% of tuition and living expenses. It is possible for you to meet the academic requirements for admission, but be denied issuance of a Form I-20 because you are unable to demonstrate the ability to cover all costs of study.
Visas
UB must be satisfied that funds will be available before issuing a Form I-20 to a prospective student. Likewise the U.S. Consul will grant an F-1 visa only if satisfied that the student can meet the costs of staying in the U.S. You must present evidence of financial support both to UB at the time of application for admission and to U.S. Consul at the time of application for a visa. Under no circumstances should you enter the U.S. on B-2 Tourist or B-1 Business visa status with the expectation of changing your nonimmigrant status after arrival. Current immigration law makes it extremely difficult to change status after you arrive. It is possible that you will be asked to return to your home country to apply for an F-1 visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Furthermore, your presence in the U.S. will have no bearing on your eligibility for admission to UB.
Full-time Enrollment
Nonimmigrant F-1 students are required by law to maintain a full course of study during the academic year. Full-time study consists of: 12 credits (4 courses) for undergraduate and law/Juris Doctor students, and 9 credits (3 courses) for graduate students and law/LLM in Taxation students, for most academic programs. There are two semesters per academic year. Summer session enrollment is optional (June-July). To complete graduation requirements students generally need 4 years for BA/BS degrees, 2 years for MA/MBA/MS degrees, and 3+ years for the JD/LLM law degree programs.
Employment
F-1 students may work on campus part-time (20 hours per week) during the school year and full-time during summer and vacations in jobs at the libraries, computer labs and other departments. Spouses with F-2 dependent visas are not permitted to work in the U.S. under any circumstances. Immigration laws governing unauthorized employment are strict. You should not anticipate employment as a means of financial support
Housing
UB offers leased residences at several apartment complexes within walking distance of the university. New international students receive information from the International Services Office about local hotels, temporary accommodations, and nearby apartment buildings with their Welcome Packet. You also may consult the Housing Referral listings maintained by the Office of Student Affairs or contact the Dean of Students office at 410.837.4755 or housing@ubalt.edu.
Medical Care and Health Insurance
Medical care is very expensive in the U.S. There is no national health plan. International students must pay for emergency medical expenses out of their pocket. Most students purchase a health insurance policy immediately upon arrival at the University. Insurance covers most (but not all) of your medical expenses. Almost every student suffers some unexpected illness, accident or injury during their stay in the U.S. The cost of medical insurance should be included in your budget.
Review the health services and health insurance policy available to UB students.
Foreign Exchange Regulations
Students and sponsors should be familiar with the foreign currency exchange regulations of their home government. Arrangements must be made well in advance of class registration deadlines each semester to ensure timely regular transfer of funds to cover tuition payments. Students with unpaid tuition balances are not permitted to continue their enrollment at the University. Foreign banks drafts payable to University of Baltimore may be used to pay tuition. The student's name should appear on the draft or in an accompanying bank letter for identification purposes. There is a 2-4 week clearance period before the University can refund the balance to the student.
Financial Assistance
- Qualified international applicants may apply for undergraduate and graduate scholarships. Awards cover partial tuition.
- Graduate students may apply for graduate research (non-teaching) positions. These cover full or partial tuition and a modest stipend. Positions generally require a personal interview on campus.
- Federal and state financial aid programs require U.S. citizenship or legal immigrant status.
- Investigate carefully other sources of financial assistance.