Naturally, there will be costs involved in your trip to America. Your investment will be in tuition, room and board, food, and other expenses.
We will call this the Cost of Living.
EDUCATE YOURSELF FOR THE COST OF LIVING IN AMERICA
Studying abroad is an investment for your future but can cost. Here are some tips to prepare and expect before enrolling and/or embarking.
First, as we have emphasized is getting the 2-year degree. Once again, Scholastic Frontier will give you the option, but we emphasize attaining your associate degree first and foremost. Here, you will have something in hand in the event of encountering the unexpected in the future. How many have you heard that they went for a 4-year bachelor’s, but circumstances prevented this? Hence, no degree whatsoever even when they did 2 years or more of studies.
The CUNY, SUNY United States colleges and universities are known for academic excellence and building the required professional development. Understanding and preparing for the living expenses of attending will ease the worries and be able to picture the feasibility
TUITION, OTHER COLLEGE FEES AND BOOKS
The tuition including books and other fees will vary. For the City Universities of New York (CUNY), they do not have a big disparity in price. It can range from P600,000 to P1.2M a year.
The State Universities of New York (SUNY) can range from P700,000 up to P1.6mil.
All this is based on the specific college/university and the program/degree selected.
There are also Private – Sole proprietary schools that are program-specific. Many students choose this because it can take less than 2 years and tuition can range from P800,000 to P1.5 mil for the whole degree. For now, the best courses are Sonography, Ultrasound Diagnostic, and LPN to name a few.
Some programs can range from P1 mil to P2 mil for the entire course, which is typically 1-2 years to complete. The most relevant and popular are EEG (brain waves), CNA, MA, and Sonography (Ultrasound to Cardiovascular tech).
There is also the ESL (English as a Second Language) school affiliated with Scholastic Frontier which tuition will be significantly less. The TOEFL test prep which is integral is also very affordable.
The ESL and TOEFL can be a total of P1 mil for the whole 2-year course. However, must prove from transcripts that their English is very weak and a failing mark in High School or did not pass the TOEFL and cannot even apply for any college.
** ALL prices subject to change**
** Accommodations (Room and Board) and meals are an additional investment needed**the
ACCOMMODATION
This is perhaps the biggest to expect with the Cost of Living. Campus Room and Board can be costly and even as much as the tuition. However, there are many Airbnb now that can reduce this cost.
May it be on-campus or off-campus can usually range from P30,000 a month to even P150,000 a month. Again, depending on the location of the college of choice.
Scholastic Frontier is working with a dozen Real Estate Agents and private homeowners to rent houses and share rooms with the students. Sorry, only same-gender specific and Co-ed’s are not accepted. A 3 bedroom can accommodate 3 students per room. Hence, can significantly reduce the cost ranging from P25,000 – P60,000 per month.
Looking at places in the US aside from New York where you have relatives will be the most advantageous. You get to study for your degree in America and reduce the accommodation fees.
TRANSPORTATION
A major advantage of living in New York City is that public transportation brings you everywhere. Many subways and buses are near the colleges. The cost is only P160 per ride. There are weekly and monthly cards or even through your phone at a lesser cost.
Try to steer away from renting or even purchasing a car. The main objective is to study, and public transportation is the most affordable.
Like Grab, New York Uber is more popular. Depending on the distance of the school, it can vary from P250 to P800 per ride.
FOOD (groceries or takeout)
Again, this will vary depending on your dietary choice and preferences. Doing groceries and cooking is the most effective in reducing costs. Most students who elected to rent private housing enjoy sharing the cost of food and taking turns in cooking.
If you are going to a dorm in a college, there are meal plans that can be taken out from your bank or credit card. The cost will be higher though.
For an international student who does not have a lavish lifestyle, the cost of food will not be that high. It can average from P250,000 a month if elect to cook or up to P350,000 a month, depending on the meal plan and college of choice.
HEALTH INSURANCE
It is a requirement for international students to have health insurance. Most colleges can provide this. The cost can vary from P60,000 to P120,000. Again, depending on the college of choice and location.
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES
Budgeting for this is an important issue. There will be personal items, buying coats and thermals for the cold, unforeseen events, and maybe a little entertainment.
Yet, with proper discipline, you will find that the clothing will be the costliest. Expect it to range from P25,000 to up depending on your lifestyle, brand name, and preferences. Many ways to save on this.
Amazon or lower-priced department stores are the best options to save money.
To conclude, tuition, books and other fees will be the prerequisites to study in New York and America. Our specialists will help guide you and assist you in selecting the college of choice based on your program and preference. Proper discipline and budgeting are important to attain your degree at a lesser expected cost.
We can help you every step of the way and we will broaden your horizon and cover every angle to achieve your world-class education.
Yes, the cost will be considerable and probably 2-3 times the amount of going to a high-end top 10 University in the Philippines. However, the limitless opportunity of having that educational objective in a country such as America and one of the hubs like New York is priceless.
The possibilities of having a college degree in the United States are endless. This is your personal Frontier to experience and will have for the rest of your life which many can only dream of.