Living in the USA

[nocturno]

Dear friends,

I was hoping you may assist me.

There is a possibility for me to move to the U.S. next year on a permanent
resident status. I am so excited about this however it isn't sure yet.

I am a bit concerned about what to do if that happens.

I mean where to settle and everything else.

Can you please tell me what parts (state, city,etc) of the States are more convenient considering the
following:

1. Finding a proper job more easily
2. Finding a job that is paid more
2. Selecting a College/University on reasonable price as much as possible (as
I
would like to continue my undergraduate studies)
3. More affordable housing and living costs, lower taxation, etc.

What kind financial aid can permanent resident receive in order to meet the costs of studying?

Can student work and study? Cause I'll definitely need to work first in order to make some savings for the University.

Can financial aid cover the majority of tuition, etc.

What is your opinion about distance/online learning?

It seems I need a bunch of info :-) Sorry for a lot of questions abut I needed to :-(

If you know about the particular forums/discussions, please let me know.

Thank you very much!!!

Hope to hear from you soon.

Take care!
Dusan

[coloma gold]

Originally Posted by nocturno

Dear friends,

I was hoping you may assist me.

There is a possibility for me to move to the U.S. next year on a permanent
resident status. I am so excited about this however it isn't sure yet.

I am a bit concerned about what to do if that happens.

I mean where to settle and everything else.

Can you please tell me what parts (state, city,etc) of the States are more convenient considering the
following:

1. Finding a proper job more easily
2. Finding a job that is paid more
2. Selecting a College/University on reasonable price as much as possible (as
I
would like to continue my undergraduate studies)
3. More affordable housing and living costs, lower taxation, etc.

What kind financial aid can permanent resident receive in order to meet the costs of studying?

Can student work and study? Cause I'll definitely need to work first in order to make some savings for the University.

Can financial aid cover the majority of tuition, etc.

What is your opinion about distance/online learning?

It seems I need a bunch of info :-) Sorry for a lot of questions abut I needed to :-(

If you know about the particular forums/discussions, please let me know.

Thank you very much!!!

Hope to hear from you soon.

Take care!
Dusan

Dusan,

Your questions are difficult to answer because your needs/wants have conflicting answers..
1. Job opportunities... that depends on what kind of job/ background and salary that you are seeking... The job market is pretty difficult right now but there are always jobs (just maybe not that kind of job that you want).
2. Colleges are plentiful in California and relatively inexpensive, however, it depends on what level you are and what is your course of study.
3. California has higher cost of living and for non-resident students, the tuition may be more than you would like (perhaps there are some assistance programs available.. you should check the 'financial assistance' departments of the colleges).
The mid west (Michigan, etc., has lower housing costs).
4. Distance/ on line learning is becoming more acceptable depending on the course of study but you have to make sure that the courses are accredited and transferrable to other colleges.

I would not worry about college until you have worked out the financial concerns.
Good luck.

[Bevdeforges]

As you've already heard, the answer to most of your questions is "it depends" - on your job qualifications, your field of study and lots of other variables in your situation.

One thing to consider, though, is that in answer to your question #2, the areas where you are paid more in a job are generally the areas where the cost of living is higher, so be sure to consider more than just the salary you're quoted.

Students can, of course, work - and there is also the possibility of working full time while taking part-time classes (sometimes referred to as "night school") and depending on your line of work, some employers will even pay your tuition and books if they believe the program you're taking will benefit your on-the-job performance.

Traditional old "financial aid" is harder to get these days, and often comes in the form of student loans, which can tie you down for years after you graduate. As a newly arrived permanent resident, these sorts of loans may be more difficult to get since you have no credit record, and there is the suspicion that you could return to your country to avoid having to pay the loans back.

If you're going as a permanent resident, though, you'll be spared some of the visa "challenges" for someone on a student visa.
Cheers,
Bev

[JohnSoCal]

After being a resident of California for 1 year you will qualify for resident student status.

[nocturno]

Thank you very much guys for assisting.

Actually my major that I'd love to transfer to is Political Science.
Job can be any, at least at the beginning because University will be my priority with no exception.

Cheers!

[coloma gold]

Originally Posted by nocturno

Thank you very much guys for assisting.

Actually my major that I'd love to transfer to is Political Science.
Job can be any, at least at the beginning because University will be my priority with no exception.

Cheers!

Political Science is a foundation for politics, attorneys or teaching. In California there are MANY law schools.. If you have not yet started college, my recommendation would be to go to a community/ junior college as they are much cheaper and the courses are generally accredited and transferrable to a 4 yr college later. Housing is generally plentiful in California but you may need to either get a small apartment or get someplace where you can share the rent with others. As for jobs, generally, the jobs that are available (depending on your experience/background) are lower paying jobs.. You would need to determine where you want to live. In California, there are many areas that differ substantially in climate, jobs and living accommodations.

[nocturno]

Originally Posted by coloma gold

Political Science is a foundation for politics, attorneys or teaching. In California there are MANY law schools.. If you have not yet started college, my recommendation would be to go to a community/ junior college as they are much cheaper and the courses are generally accredited and transferrable to a 4 yr college later. Housing is generally plentiful in California but you may need to either get a small apartment or get someplace where you can share the rent with others. As for jobs, generally, the jobs that are available (depending on your experience/background) are lower paying jobs.. You would need to determine where you want to live. In California, there are many areas that differ substantially in climate, jobs and living accommodations.

Thanks for great tips! Indeed, Community Colleges are great option for saving the money. However, I will complete my 2nd year before I go to US so I should transfer directly to the University starting my 3rd year. As far as I know, Community Colleges offer Associate degrees only, am I right?
Do you know if students may be eligible to receive more than one scholarship? I mean: university, local or federal? Can total aid cover the majority of costs?

Thank you very much again :-)

[coloma gold]

Originally Posted by nocturno

Thanks for great tips! Indeed, Community Colleges are great option for saving the money. However, I will complete my 2nd year before I go to US so I should transfer directly to the University starting my 3rd year. As far as I know, Community Colleges offer Associate degrees only, am I right?
Do you know if students may be eligible to receive more than one scholarship? I mean: university, local or federal? Can total aid cover the majority of costs?

Thank you very much again :-)

The state college system in California [they are called state universities, for example, San Diego State University (SDSU)] are cheaper than the University of California system (for example UCLA). Both give accredited degrees but generally, the University of California schools are considered more prestigious. As for scholarhships go, do not focus solely on scholarships.. There are ususally a variety of 'grants' and 'loans', both governmental and privately sponsored that may be available to you in addition to scholarships. You should contact the financial aide office. . There are also books available (probably through Amazon.com) that will direct you to thousands of grants/loans available for a multitude of subjects....

[nocturno]

Thank you very much fir these, you were very helpful.
Sorry if I had too much questions but this is all new to me and I am a bit scared with how will I manage everything!

Cheers!!!

[JohnSoCal]

Originally Posted by coloma gold

The state college system in California [they are called state universities, for example, San Diego State University (SDSU)] are cheaper than the University of California system (for example UCLA). Both give accredited degrees but generally, the University of California schools are considered more prestigious. As for scholarhships go, do not focus solely on scholarships.. There are ususally a variety of 'grants' and 'loans', both governmental and privately sponsored that may be available to you in addition to scholarships. You should contact the financial aide office. . There are also books available (probably through Amazon.com) that will direct you to thousands of grants/loans available for a multitude of subjects....

Also the University of California system has higher requirements and as such is harder to get accepted into. The University of California at Berkley is one of the highest rated universities in the country.