“A Number of Financial Aid Sources For Non-local and International Students,” by internationalstudents.com

The cost of higher education in the United States rises year after year, and many students are finding that they are unable to support themselves. Especially for non-local and international students, “college tuition for non-local and international university students in the United States has increased over the past of three years, far outpacing the price inflation of consumer goods, medical expenses and food,” Tom Harkin (D-IA), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. However, the author of “A number of financial aid sources for non-local and International students” mentions that there are a number of avenues that you can explore when looking for sources of funding for your education. He believes the higher cost of an out-of-state tuition should not discourage aspiring students from attending their ideal school, and he mentions some solutions for this problem like establish state residency, federally funded financial aid programs and on-campus job.

In this easy, I will evaluate the logic of the authors’ viewpoint, considering whether the support for his thesis is appropriate, believable. Even though his logic is appropriate, believable, his argument also has weakness. I will focus on two: His viewpoint seems incomplete because most of his thesis is suit for non-local students rather than international students and he overlook to consider the restrictions and guidelines for international students.

The author provides appropriate solutions to solve international students’ tuition pressure. In his essay, there are a number of other avenues that you can explore when looking for sources of funding education. the author mentions the higher cost of an out-of-state tuition should not discourage aspiring students from attending their ideal school. For example, in paragraph 2, he offers the reason that “students can establish state residency after they spend a certain amount of time living in the state.” He then quotes “At Harvard University, an expensive private school, qualified students should not be discouraged from applying, because even if your parents can afford to pay nothing, the minimum amount we expect from every student is a contribution of about $1,900 from summer earnings and one-third of your savings, if any," according to Harvard's official website. These opinions are obviously appropriate. They are relevant to his reason.

Not only the author’s view is appropriate, but it is also believable. In paragraph3, the author mentions the biggest source of income for international students is your family (A recent study by the Institute of International Education (http://www.iie.org) showed that nearly 65% of all international students in the USA were funded by there family and relatives.) In paragraph 5, he tells the readers that “F-1 status, which is the most common status for full-time international students, allows for part time, on-campus employment,” guidelines and restrictions issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). These information are intended to increase the person’s believability.

All of these examples are appropriate and believable. They help the author achieve his purpose of convincing people that there are a number of financial sources for non-local and international students. However, his thesis is obviously incomplete because most of his thesis is suit for non-local students rather than international students. The obvious examples come from paragraph 2, students can establish state residency, but he doesn’t consider that is only suit for out-of-state students, which is not include international students. “For international students who are not citizens of the United States, they can not apply for established residency to paying the lower tuition fees that state residents enjoy,” restrictions and guidelines issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service. The authors’ argument is also incomplete in that even though Harvard University appropriates his thesis, this is only working for private school. Private institutions can sometimes discount or reduce the costs of tuition, but public institutions seldom have this option. Finally, the authors’ thesis is incomplete because he overlooks to consider the restrictions and guidelines for international students. International students are not allowed to work off campus; on-campus part-time job have 20 hours limited per week, meanwhile jobs available on campus typically do not pay much, certainly not enough to finance a university tuition.

The logic of the authors’ view, has both strengths and weaknesses. The support he mentions is appropriate, believable. The major weakness is incompleteness. Such students who are out-of-state citizen and supported by their family would believe him. However based on his supports are not suit for international students who can not supported by their family only and overlook to consider the restrictions and guidelines for international students, his essay need be given deep consideration.