Professor, Educational Adviser Discuss Financing U.S. Education
USINFO Webchat transcript, April 25,2007
Joe Eaton, a visiting Fulbright professor at Tamkang University, Taiwan, and educational adviser Clarence Fu of the Foundation for Scholarly Exchange answered questions during a USINFO webchat April 25 on scholarships, financial aid packages and related issues surrounding study in the United States.
Following is the transcript:
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
USINFO Webchat Transcript
Guest: Joe Eaton, Clarence Fu
Date: April 25, 2007
Time: 14:30 GMT
April 25: EducationUSA: Financing Your U.S. Higher Education: Scholarships, Financial Aid, and Selecting an Aid Package
AIT Moderator: Welcome to today’s webchat! We look forward to hearing from you. The live discussion will begin at 14:30.
歡迎光臨本次 webchat 活動! 您可以先將您的問題送出。步驟非常簡單，請點一下 [Submit Question or Comment] 的欄位，在文字方塊中填入您的問題，按下 [Submit] 送出即可。由於網友提問眾多的緣故, 此次 Webchat 活動將由 WebChat 線上主持人進行過濾與篩選。您的提問將先由 WebChat 主持人篩選後，才交由嘉賓回答，之後才會在此視窗出現。本活動將於 14:30 分開始，屆時嘉賓將開始回答您的提問。
EducationUSA Webchat Guests: Clarence Fu: 大家好,我是學術交流基金會的教育顧問傅鏡平,今天很高興和Joe Eaton教授一起在線上回答各位的留學問題
Joe Eaton: Good afternoon. My name is Joe Eaton. I am a Visiting Fulbright Professor at Tamkang University, Danshui in the Graduate Institute of American Studies. I am spending this academic year at GIAS lecturing about American history. I graduated from the
University of Dallas (BA degree) and Columbia University (PhD) and have been teaching in the United States and now in Taiwan. I look forward to our chat!
AIT Moderator: Good afternoon participants! Welcome to today’s webchat. The live chat will start at 2:30 p.m. (Taiwan local time).
Question [jessicapcliu]: To Clarence: 請問若我今年六月要從台灣到Ohio State University, 八月再從OSU到CA, 一年後會從CA回台灣,那麼我機票是否應買CA 的來回票,再買美國國內機票到OSU,還是我可以轉機場回台灣,就是先買到OSU,之後再轉到CA回台灣,謝謝!
Answer [EducationUSA Webchat Guests- Clarence]: 通常來回票比兩張單程票便宜,同一地點進出也比不同地點進出便宜,所以建議您買台CA來回,再買CA Ohio來回.
AIT Moderator: Dear Wenguang Lin, Thank you for your questions below. You need to check with the U.S. embassy in China regarding the most updated information on applying for visa.
Question: I am an international graduate student in Notre dame. I will go back china for about 23 days in this May. I have booked the round plane tickets (May 13 - June 6) and also reserved the visa application in Guangzhou (May 16). Unfortunately, last Friday I found that my passport will expire on this Oct. 27. I am curious about whether it will affect my visa application or whether there is any problem when I enter the USA. I went to embassy of P.R.C. at Chicago this morning to renew my passport and they said that the new passport can not be finished until May 30. But the staff said that I can renew the passport after I return.
Could you give me some ideas about whether it is OK for me to use current passport to apply my visa.
Thanks for your time and I am looking forward to hearing from you.
AIT Moderator: You can begin asking questions now. Just click the “Submit Question or Comment” button. You can see the answers by clicking “View Discussion.” 要問問題、請點”Submit Question or Comment” 。回到 “View Discussion” 看答案。
Chat Participant: Clarence 顧問您好：學校的獎學金是否大多賦予額外的工作，對於第一年仍需適應的新生上會不會造成學業上的負擔?這樣的狀況鼓不鼓勵申請？另外，這些獎學金的工作會有哪些很棒或意想不到的附加價值呢？謝謝。
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests- Clarence]: 沒錯,通常第一學期還在適應,所以第一學期是否申請要量力而為,不然就是考慮一些輕鬆的校內工讀
Q [ekka]: To Prof. Eaton: I’ve received the admission from the School of Public Health, University of Alabama-Birmingham. And I applied for the PhD program. I have asked the status of financial aid in my department. But they replied me that they have not decided yet. And they also told me that not every PhD student could receive financial aid. Is it a normal condition? As I know, PhD student always can receive funding from school. And, what more can I do to obtain the financial aid? Thank you!!
Julie Chiang
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests – Joe]: It is possible that you would receive admission and not get an assistantship or scholarship. At this point, you should ask them directly about your chances. It might also be a good chance to remind them of your qualifications and how you might be able to help them in the lab/in research, etc. You should also ask them if there are other opportunities for aid/scholarships within the grad school and if students automatically get funding their second year (if they arrive without an assistantship). I did not get funding from Columbia my first year. It was a tough decision.
Q: [Jack: To FSE Advisor Clarence]:
Q1. 若以留學生(non-resident)的身份在美國開戶,父母親從台灣匯生活費至該帳戶,是否需扣稅?
Q2. 若以留學生(non-resident)的身份在美國開戶,則該帳戶之利息所得是否需扣稅?
Q3. 若以留學生(non-resident)的身份在美國開戶,則由該帳戶內之資金進行投資(如購買股票)所獲得之資本利得是否需扣稅?
Q4. 若將在美國所得到之獎學金匯回台灣,是否需要在台灣繳納稅金?
非常感謝您的幫忙.
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests – Clarence]:
Q1:生活費至該帳戶不需扣稅
Q2:除非你的利息高到課稅的門檻
Q3:不清楚,請您問美國熟taxation的人
Q4:不需要
Q [syhao]: To Prof. Eaton: One question about student insurance: I already have the commercial medical insurances in Taiwan. Should I must to attend the student insurance at graduate school?
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests – Joe]: I assume that you mean that you have health insurance from a private company in Taiwan (excluding the National Health Insurance). I believe that you should ask that company if you really are covered while you are living in the United States. Health expenses in the United States are very high and I would strongly suggest that no one try to get by without health coverage. If you are not covered, sometimes the student health insurance plans (sponsored by the school) are relatively inexpensive, at least by United States standards (students are generally a young, healthy group to insure).
Q [Chat Participant]: To Prof. Eaton: Is it correct that only applicants with very strong English verbal skills stand a good chance of being awarded a scholarship? 是不是只有英語口說能力強的人申請獎學金才較有勝算？
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests – Joe]: Strong English verbal skills may of course help your chances. I also believe that it depends upon your major. It is possible that someone in the sciences, for example, might have an adequate understanding of the relevant terminology but not have the skills needed for a historian in US history. You should try. Sometimes statement of purpose (for graduate students) and other factors weigh heavily into determination of who gets a scholarship. If you have other means of showing that you can use English and have used English in a classroom setting, then explain. For example, tell the school if you have taken courses in your subject are that were taught in English. Sometimes the tests do not tell everything.
Q [wting: To FSE Advisor Clarence]:
我想知道
1. 要如何在美國找工作、internship以及co-op，尤其很多工作都限制要美國公民或有工作權
2. 還有我今年就要去讀碩士，有什麼獎學金的來源嗎？
3. 我要去加州，有關食衣住行方面可以如何省錢？
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests –Clarence]:
1.拿F-1學生簽證只能在校內工作,每週不能超過20小時,除非是校方同意的校外實習
2.有一些獎學金要到學校才會發現,所以要跟系上助理打好交道
3.加州是生活費最高的地區之一,自己煮會比外食省錢,能不買車就不買
Q [Chat Participant]: To Prof. Eaton: If I got the admission for program starting this summer, is it too late to apply for Fulbright scholarship? Is it available for only PhD programs but not master’s programs? What other scholarship opportunities are available? Thanks.
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests – Joe]: You want to check on
the Fulbright website to be certain, but the application for fall 2008 should be August 1 of 2007. Once you are already in the US studying, I believe that you are not eligible. Yes, the Fulbright student awards are for 1. PhD study in the US 2. Taiwanese PhD students to do research in the US for 5-10 months.
You should ask the department or grad school about scholarships. There may be funding in your field that is still available. Perhaps you can get an “assistantship” that involves helping around the department, grading papers, doing research, or even teaching. You should contact them immediately. Student labor can be valuable to a university and it helps the student survive and offers opportunities for growth.
AIT Moderator: Did you know that EducationUSA Advising Centers provide Taiwan students and their parents with information to Make a Study Plan, Choose a U.S. School, Find Financial Aid, Apply for Admission, Get a U.S. Student Visa, and Prepare for Departure. For more information logon to:
www.educationusa.org.tw
Q [snailtai: To FSE Advisor Clarence]: 由於本身的經費有限，不想成為家人的負擔，我想詢問的兩個問題點是1.留學貸款2.獎學金
1.留學貸款: 請教辦理上的資格、條件、可申辦的銀行?
2.獎學金: 我要申請的是商學院mab or ms，打算申請finance方面的領域
我對獎學金的印象是成績好的學生才在申請，還有理工學院比較有獎學金
我很想了解獎學金申請的資格是如我想的那樣嗎?
我的問題有點籠統，不好意思，請你們盡可能地回答我的疑問，謝謝。
Q [EducationUSA Webchat Guests – Clarence]:
1. 教育部目前核准五家銀行辦留學貸款:台銀,合作金庫,土銀,國際商銀,玉山.但要符合中低收入戶的標準,每年全戶收入少於114萬元
2. 大致沒錯,但這些是赴美之前的獎學金,到那邊後可以用你的成績申請,如果唸公立學校,還可以從第二學期起要求比照in state(本州居民)學費,這也是一種獎學金
Q [mentor]: To Prof. Eaton: For a first-time student in the U.S., do you recommend bringing the first year’s tuition and living allowance — traveler’s cheques or through wire transfer? Which method is safer and cheaper? The interest rate for U.S. accounts is higher than Taiwan, do you know if someone with F-1 student visa needs to pay tax on the interest? May I continue to hold the account even after I graduae?
您好，初到美國用怎樣的方式比如旅行支票或是電匯開戶(因為要攜帶一年的學費與生活費)比較安全與省錢，此外因為美國利率較高，可否由台灣匯錢過去定存，以f-1的身分多少錢以上要課稅，最後請問離開美國後可以繼續存錢在美國的銀行嗎？是否要填寫特殊表格。謝謝^_^
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests – Joe]: Be careful not to carry too much cash around. Wire transfers are relatively easy to do. I am not sure about the cost of cheques relative to a wire transfer. The International Student Office at your university should be able to help with opening an account in the United States and with your questions about taxes on interest.
Q [swallow1126: To FSE Advisor Clarence]: 目前有申請出國的打算,不過留學費用的確很嚇人,除了留學貸款,在國外工讀的機會大嗎?謝謝!!
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests – Clarence]: 我剛參觀幾個美國學校回來,很多學生在校內工讀,因為學校可以節省人事費用.如果你有經費上的限制,可以找美國某些州立大學,一年只要一萬五美元
Q [jessicapcliu]: To Prof. Eaton, Would you recommend some companies such as Jetblue that I can buy airplane tickets in USA?
Thanks a lot!
Jessica
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests – Joe]: Hi Jessica, I buy my Taiwan-US airline tickets from one of the large travel agencies in Taipei. It is also common for Americans to purchase tickets online from one of a very large number of web-based travel agencies. Sometimes the airlines offer discounts online. It is a great way to compare prices.
Q [Chat Participant]: To Prof. Eaton: Hi, can you talk about the fellowship opportunities available to students from Taiwan? The school I am going is not able to offer me the fellowship and most financial aids are available only to U.S. citizens or PRs. Thank you.
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests –Joe]: You should ask the school if there are work opportunities or “outside” scholarships that still might be available. I would also look online. Sometimes a student might not get a large financial aid package but still might get a job around the department (perhaps doing research or grading). There are always outside scholarships, depending upon one’s major.
AIT Moderator: We received the [following] question related working on a J-1 visa. We recommend that students check the AIT website (
www.ait.org.tw) regarding J-1 visa regulations, carefully. Please remember that the purpose of the J1 visa is for “exchange program” participants and the purpose of the F1 visa is for studying.
Question: 請問拿J1簽證 ,在美國可以做比較多的工作嗎? 聽說拿J1簽證會比拿I20容易?
Q [Jack]: To Prof. Eaton,
1. I might need to have my teeth rectified and I know that these kinds of procedures are usually not included in the students’ health plans. Do you have any idea it might cost? And would you please suggest any insurance plans that might be helpful?
2. How about the living costs in New Jersey? I was told that there’s no commodity tax in New Jersey, but how about other costs such as housing and food and entertaining facility?
Thank you very much.
Robert
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests – Joe]: Dear Robert, 1. Orthodontics (teeth straightening) may or may not be covered under a student health plan. The health services office at your university should be able to tell you. Perhaps your university has a dental school that would provide discounted treatment for students. Supplemental dental insurance is available in the United States if you are not covered. 2. Living costs in New Jersey probably vary depending upon where you live. I would suspect that living closer to New York City increases the cost. Your university should be able to provide some estimate of living expenses.
Q [ekka]: To Prof. Eaton: For an international PhD student, does school usually cover the tuition and stipend fully? Or they usually cover partially?
Julie
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests – Joe]: Dear Julie, I believe that it would depend upon the major and school. A department might offer 2 or 3 different levels of awards to their students. I have had friends who had to borrow some of their costs or use their parents’ money. Others have had “extra” money to purchase an inexpensive used car. I believe that some majors, particularly in the sciences, are generally funded. Some schools are also more generous than others. Some top students are able to choose between many good financial offers.
Q [duanduan]: To FSE Advisor Clarence: 顧問你們好:想請問一下,因為申請上的科系的關係,系上擺明說明不會有任何的 financial aid, 但是可以到學校其他地方去尋找財務補助,如TA.RA等,但是無法申請州政府出資為經費來源的職務,請問如果不到其他系去申請TA.RA等職務,會不會有一定的困難性?校內的其他職位,競爭來說是不是也是相當的激烈?除了系上的經費來源,是不是有可能經由指導教授獲得補助呢?謝謝~~
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests – Clarence]: TA通常要TSE成績,看你的口語能力. RA會先給博士班的學生,另外學校會有一些行政性的助理,要積極去問去找,指導教授的錢通常從project來,所以會給RA
Q [arseue]: To Prof. Eaton: I plan to get ph.d degree in Computer Science major. As I know, ph.d students in CS always get some financial-aids from school, but it would be very difficult to get the admission of top schools for the first-time students in Taiwan. On the other hand, someone said that it is possible to get the admission of the master degree more easily, and then transfer to ph.d program; however, master students have little chance to get financial-aid. My question is which case is more benefit to me? Thanks for your answer.
Jason
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests – Joe]: Dear Jason, That is a very good question. I believe that master’s students will not receive as much aid. You are not there long enough to do much research and be valuable to the department. An excellent student should consider applying directly for the PhD. I believe that Taiwanese students would be well-represented in some of the best departments in the United States. Test scores, good letters of recommendation, and a strong proposal help. I have noticed that some Taiwanese apply for MS or MA when they know they want the PHD and would already be suited for a PhD program. You might also consider applying for some MS and some PhD programs. Your undergraduate professors, who know your work, may also be able to give you some advice.
Good luck!
Q [pinhappiness@yahoo.com.tw]: To FSE Advisor Clarence: 想請問顧問，學校沒給予獎學金，但如果希望到美國能小賺一些錢，是否只有自己找校內校外打工，或是注意學校是否還有什麼獎學金可以申請的。那除此之外，目前是否還有哪些機構能提供一些獎學金補助呢??? 或是我在美國後，又該如何能打到工…等等。 謝謝！！
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests – Clarence]:F-1簽證只能在校內打工,校外打工除非學校允許,萬一被逮到反而划不來,校內有餐廳,圖書館,行政助理,總機接待等工作機會,此外有些有錢人會提供一些獎學金,你必須勤到系上看佈告欄才會知道
Q [snailtai]: To FSE Advisor Clarence: 謝謝傅顧問回答我之前的問題。我想再請教一下，請問
1.目前銀行留學貸款方面是不是教育部核准的那五家銀行的貸款較為優惠?因為我有看到那五家以外的銀行也有打著留學貸款名號的貸款業務。
2.對於獎學金申請機會渺茫的人，退而求其次的方法就是可以找學費較低廉的州立大學。請教若想第二年要求(in state)的學費，請問我該如何努力以及準備?是第一年在課業上成績要很好嗎?
我是經費有限的人，謝謝顧問的回覆。
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests –Clarence]: 1.教育部的貸款利率較低,而且就學期間免交利息, 2.努力唸好第一學期,拿成績去向系上爭取,第二學期起就可以交in-state學費
Q [mentor]: To Prof. Eaton: I have a follow-up to Robert’s question about health insurance. If I have a chronic illness (needing long-term medication), do you know if it is possible to get a multiple prescription in the U.S.? I noticed that most school’s basic coverage is good for a limited number of visits after which I need to self-pay. Do you have suggestions for alternative medical insurance?
您好，關於robert提到的保險問題，我想請問如果是屬於慢性疾病的話(需要長期服藥)美國有像台灣健保的連續處方籤的制度嗎？因為我看學校給的基本健康保險是有限制次數，超過的話要自付，或是可以請您推薦其他的加保方式？此外，若是以郵寄方式從台灣寄到美國當地，是否可行？(我有問過幾家快遞業者他們有接受過這樣的服務)，謝謝
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests – Joe]: Health costs certainly can be a big concern. Though many university health plans are very generous, it is possible that you will need a supplemental health plan. There are many to choose from. The health office at your university may have a suggestion. You could also look online or speak with an insurance agent in the US about a plan that specifically helps with prescription drugs.
Q [lml@alumni.ccu.edu.tw]: Prof. Eaton: Is it difficult for someone in the LL.M and S.J.D. program to apply for scholarships? I heard that it is difficult for international students to apply for financial aid? What qualifications would be required? 請問外國人念 LL.M.及S.J.D.獎學金會不會很難申請?? 聽說外國人申請financial aid 很難通過???是否需要什麼特殊資格??
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests – Joe]: There will be some scholarships for LLM and SJD students. The schools will advertise scholarship opportunities. There is also a perception that law studies do not require too many scholarships since they might have very high salaries in the future. That is of course not always true. There may also be work opportunities, i.e. journal editing or assistantships (perhaps helping professor with research/grading). As I understand,
the US Federal student aid programs are for US citizens and residents. You should check with the International Student Office at your school to see if there are exceptions.
Q [EducationUSA Webchat Guests- Clarence]:
:廣告一下,明天下午5:30我們邀請到師大教授林秀玲博士到
學術交流基金會跟同學分享她在美國申請獎學金的經驗,歡迎同學參加(北市泉州街1之A號)
Q [Esther]: To FSE Advisor Clarence:
請問您提到:明天下午5:30有邀請到師大教授林秀玲博士到學術交流基金會跟同學分享她在美國申請獎學金的經驗,請問林博士的學歷背景?
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests –Clarence]:
師大英語系助理教授林秀玲博士在芝加哥大學攻讀碩博士,另外曾前往哈佛大學及加大柏克萊分校研究,她也是Fulbright獎學金的得主
Q [mentor]: To Prof. Eaton: I will be in New York city for one year. Because I am unfamiliar with U.S. law, do you know if I can get some free legal advice regarding details to watch out for when signing a lease contract?
您好，關於住宿的問題，請問若在美國租屋的時候所訂的契約，因為不熟悉美國法律，對於契約內容有疑問時，政府或學校有免費的法律諮詢嗎？此外就是目前美國仍有租金限制的規定嗎？若是住在紐約市的下城大概一年的租金粗估要多少，謝謝
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests – Joe]: Your school may provide some legal advice. You should contact the International Student Office.
EducationUSA Webchat Guests- Joe: Thanks for joining our chat today. I have enjoyed this very much. Please consider applying for a Fulbright fellowship. The application deadline is, I believe, 1 August 2007 if you want to go to the US in the fall of 2008. Please check
the Fulbright website. There are scholarships for two student categories 1. students with masters who want to study for the PhD in the US 2. PhD dissertation students who want to do 5-10 months of research in the US. The Fulbright is very prestigious and should open many doors in the future for you! If you are interested in a nice liberal arts college (my home school) in the United States, check out
www.stgregorys.edu, My alma maters:
www.udallas.edu,
www.columbia.edu My department in Taiwan:
Graduate Institute of American Studies, Tamkang University
AIT Moderator: We wish to thank our speakers today — Fulbright Scholar Joe Eaton and FSE EducationUSA Advisor and Clarence Fu. The webchat is now closed. Please visit our EducationUSA website at
www.educationusa.org.tw for more information on upcoming events.
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