Exploring postgraduate universities and funding options in Florida
Every year, Florida is a top choice for international students looking to continue their higher education in the U.S. In addition to the sunny climate and cultural diversity, students enjoy Florida’s affordable public university tuition, which can mean a significant return on investment for graduate students studying in the U.S.
Here’s a summary of the advantages of studying abroad in Florida, a list of postgraduate universities to consider and resources for funding your Florida education.
Why study abroad in Florida?
In the past decade, Florida has led the nation in creating high-quality, low-cost education. International students studying in the U.S. will find Florida’s public university tuition uniquely accessible, but this does not reflect a lower standard of education; in fact, several public Florida schools rank within the top 100 universities nationally, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Florida’s beautiful nature preserves, welcoming communities and strong job market, especially for those pursuing an international education in business, medicine or engineering, make it a great place to study and start a career.
MPOWER-eligible postgraduate universities in Florida
MPOWER-eligible schools in Florida offer postgraduate programs equipped with rigorous curricula and professional development opportunities. Here are three top MPOWER-eligible Florida universities and their most commonly selected majors by students studying in the U.S.
Florida State University (FSU)*
FSU is located in Tallahassee, the state capital. It’s recognized for its research contributions and its prestigious College of Motion Picture Arts. Popular postgraduate programs include:
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- Health and medicine
- Engineering
- Nursing
- Public affairs
University of Florida (UF)*
Located in Gainesville, UF is known for its strong academic programs and successful athletic teams. Popular postgraduate programs include:
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- Engineering
- Special education
- Pharmacy
- Analytical chemistry
University of Central Florida (UCF)*
UCF, located in the innovation hub of Orlando, has a large student body and strong partnerships with the tech industry. Popular postgraduate programs include:
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- Computer engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Public administration
- Civil engineering
- Computer science
While looking for the right place to study in the U.S., be sure to consult MPOWER’s list of +400 eligible schools. MPOWER evaluates all partnered universities based on factors like alumni employment rate and earnings, ensuring your international education sets you up to thrive in your dream career.
Funding your Florida education
Despite Florida’s comparatively lower tuition and fees, studying in the U.S. can be a substantial expense. If your funds fall short, financial aid or an international student loan can help you finance your postgraduate degree.
Financial aid
International students, while not eligible for federal or state financial aid, can apply to their universities for institutional aid in the form of scholarships, grants, fellowships and assistantships. Florida Atlantic University and UCF, for instance, offer paid research opportunities and lab assistant positions for international graduate students. UF’s F-1 Graduate Student Emergency Hardship Scholarship provides aid to students with unforeseen financial difficulties.
Students studying in the U.S. should also explore databases such as EducationUSA and EduPASS for scholarships external to their universities. Scholarships such as the Dr. Alejandra Parra Higher Education Scholarship and MPOWER’s Global Citizen Scholarship are applicable to all international students studying in Florida.
Florida Linkage Institutes
The Florida Linkages Institutes’ Out-of-State Tuition Exemption Program gives international students from eligible countries the opportunity to apply for the very affordable in-state tuition at any of Florida’s public universities. Though this program is highly selective, winners can drastically reduce the overall cost of their postgraduate tuition.
Student loans for international students
For most international graduate students, financial aid doesn’t cover the majority of tuition and living expenses. MPOWER offers international student loans of up to US$100,000 to help finance the rest of your Florida education.
There are many benefits to funding your Florida education with MPOWER. Unlike most international student loan providers, MPOWER doesn’t require a cosigner or collateral, which simplifies the loan application process.
Begin your dream of studying in the U.S., check your eligibility in less than a minute.
*Schools mentioned in this post do not endorse MPOWER’s loans, and MPOWER is not affiliated with the schools noted in this message.
