International student success story: From the Philippines to a U.S. master’s in business analytics
Maureen (Ree) Lepatan is currently studying business analytics in a U.S. graduate program, but getting there wasn’t easy.
For international students like Ree, finding funding to attend school in the United States is a big financial hurdle. Tuition, fees and living expenses are costly, and many financial institutions don’t give student loans to noncitizens or residents. Fortunately for Ree, her career advisor back home in the Philippines knew about MPOWER Financing, and she was able to apply for and receive a loan to cover her needs.
The Ree dream team
“There are people who really helped me and guided me through – career advisors, coaches and [the] MPOWER team as well,” she says. “A combination of those people [got] me where I am today.”
Navigating the world of borrowing student loans as an international student can be tedious and time-consuming. There aren’t a lot of options and often lenders require that students have a U.S.-based cosigner to get a loan. With MPOWER Financing, you can apply for a loan without a cosigner or collateral and get immediate approval so you can start your education journey right away.
The cost of being an international student in the United States
Attending college as an international student is extremely expensive. The average cost for an international student to study in America can be anywhere from $6,000 (for community college classes) to more than $55,000 per year, depending on your level of education, the school you’re attending, the program you’re enrolled in and other factors. MPOWER loans let you borrow up to US$100,000 total.
“Going to the U.S. as an international student is a huge, huge investment,” she says. “Not a lot of people can actually afford that, but MPOWER enabled me to have that fund specifically for my education.”
Ree’s return on investment
Ree sees her education in the United States as an investment in her future.
“After investing in my education, I get to upgrade my career,” she says. “I have tons of options. I can go to different places, and I can have [a] higher salary afterwards. And I foresee that the return on investment will be higher.”
She sees herself not only working in data analytics but possibly progressing to become a chief technology officer (CTO) in 10 years’ time.
“I’m grateful that I have these opportunities ahead of me,” she says.
Paying it forward
Encouraging others who are thinking of studying abroad in the United States comes easy to Ree. She tells others about MPOWER Financing, in particular, because of how her experience has changed the entire trajectory of her education and career.
“It really changed my life because I could have not been in the U.S. if it wasn’t for the support of MPOWER,” she says. “It’s really easy to refer a company if you have a positive experience [with them].”
Ree knows becoming an international student in the U.S. is an undertaking but doesn’t want students to give up.
“It will be a long process, but you will get there,” she says. “And once you get there, then everything is just worth it. Right now, I’m in Boston, and I never thought that I would have a lot of opportunities. The world is my oyster.”
Planning on studying abroad for your master’s degree and interested in a private student loan through MPOWER Financing?
