An expert outlines where international students, particularly graduate students, can look for financial aid, and she gives advice on making successful application. Martina Schulze is the cultural affairs specialist at the U.S. Consulate General, Hamburg, Germany, and the educational advising coordinator at the Amerikazentrum, Hamburg.

M ore than 500,000 international students successfully apply for admission to U.S. colleges and universities every year. According to the Institute of International Education, some 67 percent of them rely on family funds to pay for their studies in America. But for many, applying for adequate financial support is a crucial part of their application. On average, international students will have to pay between $16,000 and $46,500 for tuition and living expenses for an academic year in the United States.

WHERE DO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS RECEIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT?

The main source for financial aid outside of personal funds are the host U.S. college or university, with 23 percent offering aid, followed by the home government or university with 2.4 percent. The overall picture changes, though, when one compares the percentages for undergraduate and graduate students: While only about 10 percent of all international undergraduates receive financial support from their host institution, 41 percent of all graduate students are supported by their host university. Many of them work as research and teaching assistants at doctoral and research institutions. Moreover, there are more funds available for Ph.D. programs than for master's programs, as well as more funds in the sciences than in social sciences and humanities. And there is generally more money for international students applying for academic than for professional programs. Incidentally, chances of receiving financial aid from the host institution increase during the second year of studies.

WHAT KIND OF FINANCIAL AID IS AVAILABLE FROM U.S. SOURCES?

International undergraduate students can apply for partial scholarships, primarily from private colleges and universities; they also are eligible for athletic scholarships and can apply for student loans. Graduate students can apply for teaching, research, and administrative assistantships, as well as for fellowships and scholarships from both private and public universities. Applying for a student loan is also an option for graduate students.

HOW DO YOU SUCCESSFULLY APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID?

Start early with your preparations and research, preferably 15 to 18 months before your studies will begin. Learn about scholarships offered by your home government and university, and apply early.

Do your research: Visit an EducationUSA-supported advising center, and study the specialized reference works on U.S. colleges and universities and prospective departments, which offer information on how much financial aid is available. Also, use the Internet to learn as much as possible about the four to six institutions that you are applying to. If you are a graduate student, google and get to know your professors before you apply. They are the people who will decide which new graduate assistants are accepted, and they should have heard from you before they review your application package.

Don't be shy about asking for financial aid. Send a second letter if your first application for financial aid has been denied, and address it to a specific person in the academic department or admissions office. If you don't succeed the first time, call to learn why your application was not successful, and apply again with a stronger application the next year.

Last but not least, financial aid for international students is limited and the competition is keen. To increase your chances of success, you should demonstrate that your academic qualifications are first-rate; study hard to get excellent TOEFL, SAT, GMAT, or GRE scores; show that you have some private funds, or show your financial need; and send in a neat, complete, and well-researched application.

The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. government.