I'm an international student planning to apply for universities in California. However, my budget is a huge concern. I'd be very thankful if someone could suggest some of the cheapest universities there for folks like me.
You might want to consider applying to schools within the California State University (CSU) system. CSU schools are public institutions and tend to be much more affordable than private schools, even for international students. For example, San Francisco State University and San Jose State University are two options that are known to be more affordable.
Keep in mind, though, that even with lower tuition rates, living expenses in certain areas of California can be quite high. Specifically, the cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area and Southern California tends to be above the national average.
In addition, it's important to note that most financial aid and scholarships at public universities are reserved for domestic students. However, some CSUs do offer a limited number of merit-based scholarships for international students. It's a good idea to research each university's website to see what kind of financial aid might be available to you as an international applicant.
Also, you could look into attending a community college first and then transferring to a CSU or University of California (UC) school. California has a strong community college system, and many students pursue this route to save on tuition costs for the first two years of their undergraduate education.
Remember to take advantage of the net price calculators available on each college's website. This tool will give you an estimated cost of attendance (including tuition, fees, room and board, etc.) based on your personal situation.
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