Postgraduate universities and funding in Illinois
Illinois, located in the heart of the U.S. Midwest, not only boasts gorgeous natural scenery, the vibrant city of Chicago and some of the best academic institutions worldwide, but also hosts the fifth-largest population of international students in the U.S. With an international student loan without a cosigner from MPOWER Financing, students from across the globe can access Illinois’ low cost of living, high quality of life and ample opportunities for educational and professional development.
Wondering if Illinois is the right place for your postgraduate international education? Read on to discover all Illinois has to offer, academically and beyond, and how an MPOWER loan for studying abroad can help you finance your studies in the U.S.
Why study in Illinois with an MPOWER loan for studying abroad?
Each year, international postgraduate students flock to Illinois. Many choose to study in Chicago for its diversity, world-class cultural and academic institutions and internship opportunities. Outside of Chicago, students enjoy Illinois’ low cost of living and wide range of outdoor recreational activities.
Illinois has a strong economy with key industries in manufacturing, agriculture, life sciences and information technology. In fact, Illinois is among the top 10 states for IT jobs.
Many of Illinois’ universities, such as the University of Chicago, rank among the top in the country – they also, however, have some of the highest tuition fees in the country.
To make an elite education in Illinois possible, consider funding your study abroad with an international student loan without a cosigner from MPOWER. International students can borrow up to US$100,000 with an MPOWER loan for studying abroad. To get a quick, conditional loan offer, check your eligibility today.
At which Illinois university should I study with an MPOWER international student loan without a cosigner?
You can finance your education with an MPOWER loan for studying abroad at any of MPOWER’s 500+ eligible schools. MPOWER constantly reevaluates and expands its eligible schools list to ensure it includes the best academic institutions in the U.S. and Canada. Here are some of the top MPOWER-eligible schools* in Illinois and their commonly selected majors:
University of Chicago (UChicago)
One of the best universities nationally, UChicago emphasizes the importance of free speech, diversity of opinion and interdisciplinary thought. International students compose about 24% of UChicago’s student body. UChicago has particularly strong postgraduate programs in:
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- Business administration
- Finance and economics
- Mathematics
- Public Policy
University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
Located in the charming university town of Urbana-Champaign (voted the best food town in the midwest), UIUC is a large, public research institution committed to creating a high-quality university experience for its students and a positive societal impact on the world. Popular postgraduate programs include:
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- Engineering
- Accounting
- Computer science
- Chemistry
University of Illinois – Chicago (UIC)
For a more financially accessible option, international students studying in Illinois with an international student loan without a cosigner should consider UIC. UIC aims to provide the widest range of students possible with a top education. Popular postgraduate programs include:
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- Business management
- Health and medicine
- Engineering
Funding your Illinois education with loans for studying abroad
Once you’ve selected your preferred Illinois university, it’s time to determine how to finance your postgraduate degree. Most international students rely on a combination of personal funds, financial aid and student loans for studying abroad.
Financial aid
Financial aid can be hard to come by for international students studying in the U.S. Most international students are not eligible for federal aid and also struggle to meet the strict eligibility requirements for institutional aid. For instance, though UIUC offers some international student scholarships, they are highly competitive and limited to eligible students.
To reduce your overall expenses, consider exploring on-campus employment, graduate assistantships and externally funded international scholarships. UIC and EducationUSA have compiled lists of scholarships and awards for international students studying in the U.S.
Student loans for study abroad
If financial aid and personal funds don’t cover the entirety of your study abroad expenses, you can finance the rest of your postgraduate degree with a private international student loan without a cosigner from MPOWER.
With no required U.S. cosigner, collateral or minimum credit score, MPOWER is a great option for international students without a U.S. credit score. Moreover, by making timely, fixed-interest payments, MPOWER students develop strong credit in the U.S., setting them up for financial success after graduation.
MPOWER students enjoy more than just stable, inflation-proof interest rates and a streamlined loan application process. Every MPOWER student gains access to MPOWER’s Path2Success Program, which offers a range of free visa, financial and career support including a free visa support letter and exclusive visa training, as well as customized job search tools.
To benefit from all MPOWER offers, check out MPOWER’s international student loans without a cosigner today.
Final thoughts: Funding your Illinois education with MPOWER loans for study abroad
From its world-renowned academic institutions to its thriving health and IT industries, Illinois could be the ideal place for you to kickstart your dream postgraduate education and career.
Make that dream a reality with an international student loan without a cosigner from MPOWER. It takes less than a minute to check your eligibility.
*Schools mentioned in this post do not endorse MPOWER’s loans and MPOWER is not affiliated with the schools noted in this message.
