Importance of scholarships for international students?

I've been researching studying abroad and noticed a lot of talk about scholarships for international students. Why are these scholarships so important? Are they crucial for covering tuition or living expenses, or is it more about easing the overall financial burden?

International students frequently find that studying in the U.S. can be quite expensive. Alongside tuition, there are also costs to consider such as housing, health insurance, meals, textbooks, and general living expenses. Depending on the cost of living in the city where a student attends school, these additional expenses can add up significantly.

Scholarships serve to reduce this financial burden and open up opportunities for students who might not have otherwise been able to afford to study in the U.S. It's worth noting that international students do not qualify for federal or state aid in the U.S., which is why scholarships are an important collective asset to consider.

Moreover, many international students are on student visas that limit their ability to work off-campus. This further emphasizes the importance of scholarships in helping to cover their costs without being indebted. Scholarships can make a huge difference in a student's ability to stay in school, focus on their studies, and ease the stress related to financial issues.

Often, the competitiveness of obtaining these scholarships encourages academic excellence, as many are merit-based. Consequently, striving for these scholarships can motivate international students to achieve higher academic standards and help them stand out when applying for post-graduate jobs or further education.

In summary, scholarships for international students are important not only for easing the financial burden of studying in the U.S. but also work as motivators to excel academically.