When do I begin my search for universities in the States? We recommend that you start your search 12-18 months before your intended departure date.

Are “colleges” and “institutes” in the U.S. as good as “universities”? Degree-granting institutions in the United States can be called by any of these terms, and colleges and institutes are in no way inferior to universities. As a general rule, colleges tend to be smaller than universities and usually offer only undergraduate degrees, while universities offer graduate degrees. Institutes often specialize in certain fields e.g. engineering, art, etc.

Note: a Junior College/Community College or 2-Year College is not the same as a 4-year college. Community Colleges offer Associate degrees, not Bachelor’s degrees. Students may attend a Junior College and then transfer to a 4-year college or university. If you are interested in doing this we advise you to attend a U.S. University Information Session, or speak with an Adviser at the Fulbright Commission.

When are the university application deadlines? For students interested in starting their studies in the fall (end of August/beginning of September), deadlines may start as early as November (the year before you leave) and as late as the spring before you leave. Since each university has its own deadline, it is best to find out exactly when the deadlines are for each university you are planning on applying to.

How do I begin my search? Attend a U. S. University Information Session at the Fulbright Commission. Sessions are usually held every Thursday afternoon from 3:00-4:30pm. Please call the Fulbright Commission to sign up. The sessions are free and students only need to attend one session to get all the information they need.

There are so many universities in the United States, how do I go about choosing where to apply? There are approximately 4000 undergraduate institutions and 1700 graduate institutions in the U.S. By attending a U.S. University Information Session you will be able to determine which factors are important to consider when narrowing down your choices.

How many universities should I apply to? We recommend that you apply to 6-12 institutions.

Does the GCE in English Language replace the TOEFL? Occasionally, colleges may accept the GCE English Language Exam in place of the TOEFL exam, but this is rare. Almost all universities require the TOEFL for international applicants.

Can students take the IELTS instead of the TOEFL exam? Over 1000 out of the 4000 higher education institutions in the U.S. accept the IELTS to prove English proficiency. To find a list of schools that accept the IELTS check the official IELTS website.

If I have GCE A’Levels am I entitled to extra credit from the university? Many, though not all, universities give additional credits for GCE A’Levels. Your GCE’s will be evaluated by the university (usually during your first semester there) and you will receive an advanced standing evaluation that will give you all the details. The number of credits you receive will depend on the subject and the grade you received on each A’Level.

I have attended a tertiary institution and want to transfer to an American university/college. How many of the years that I studied will they acknowledge? It is up to each individual institution to decide how many credits they will transfer, although occasionally universities may give you a rough indication of how many years it will take you to graduate. In some cases, you will not have a definite answer until your first semester there.

I applied to various universities and colleges several months ago, but I did not hear from them yet. Can the Fulbright Commission help in any way? The Fulbright Commission is here to guide and assist you in your search. We can also assist you with your applications should you have questions but we cannot handle your applications for you. It is your responsibility to make sure all the schools you applied to received your applications, test results and any other required supporting documents and that your application is complete. Most universities send out decisions in April or May, but it is best to contact the Admissions Office to find out when decisions are announced for each particular university.

Is it best to stay on-campus or off-campus during my first year in the States? We recommend that you live on-campus for the first year-otherwise you will feel isolated. Many universities require that first year undergraduates live on-campus as well. Students should apply for housing immediately after admission acceptance. Housing is often limited on campus so it is important to apply early.

Are financial aid or scholarships available for International Students in the USA? There are many colleges/universities in the U.S. that are eager to have international students on their campus, and these institutions usually try and offer some sort of award to help offset the costs of a university education. Some offer need-based awards, while others may offer merit-based scholarships or even offer partial tuition waivers or in-state tuition opportunities for international students. For a list of schools offering some type of award to international students, ask a Fulbright Counselor or visit our financial aid section of our website. Although opportunities for financial aid are more limited at the undergraduate level, there are generally more financial aid opportunities at the graduate level, in the form of a teaching or research assistantships, or full scholarships. The Fulbright Commission also offers CASP and Fulbright scholarships for Cypriots for study at the Bachelors and Master's level.

How do I apply for financial aid/scholarships in the US? Students must apply directly to a university financial aid department. This process is done in cooperation with the admission application. However, the deadlines may be different.

Where can I find a university that gives financial aid? The Cyprus Fulbright Commission Library is your best source for information. Books are available to show average awards and number of students receiving aid. You may also refer to the financial aid section of this website.