When you’re an international student travelling far from home to attend university, scholarships and bursaries can be crucial in helping you pay for the high cost of tuition and other expenses.
Although St. Thomas University is generous with the amount of scholarships and bursaries it offers, some international students still find it can be difficult to pay for the costs associated with university.
Esteban Rivera received an entrance scholarship in his first year, however, he still found paying financially stressful.
“It did help a lot because tuition for international students is way higher,” Rivera said. “But it’s like throwing a bucket of water onto a full-blown fire.”
The cost of tuition for international students is around $15,000. It is double the amount that Canadian students have to pay.
Entrance scholarships are based on academic excellence and are renewable for $1,000 in second, third and fourth year, provided the student maintains a 3.5 GPA.
There are 36 types of entrance scholarships and 14 bursaries currently offered according to the STU website. Only the Chancellor’s International Scholarship and the President’s International Scholarship outrightly state they are offered to international students. Both cover up to full tuition.
“I feel like there are a lot offered in the beginning, but I found myself struggling as a transferring international student,” said Rubaina Singh, who transferred to St. Thomas University in 2013 and graduated in 2015. As an international transfer student, Singh didn’t qualify for any entrance scholarships or bursaries.
“I was given it when I needed it and I’m really thankful for it,” she said, referring to a STUISA bursary she received. “I just feel that in general, the amount that is given to international students is comparatively less.”
Throughout her time at St. Thomas, she worked as a peer tutor, teaching assistant, residence advisor, note taker and several other jobs to help pay for her education. She said receiving more money would have helped a lot.
“I’d have probably done one less job,” said Singh.
Like Singh was, Rivera is busy. He works with campus security and in the Student Union Building for 18 hours a week, is president of STUISA, a member of Global Brigades and volunteers.
He said getting good grades to maintain entrance scholarships can be more difficult for international students, as English sometimes isn’t their first language. He does not believe there are enough scholarships for international students based on personal qualities, like leadership.
“I think STU is doing everything possible. They could give more scholarships, but in the end it’s still a business,” he said.
