Comments on: Can’t Win Them All…

By: Keith Clausen

Keith Clausen — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:06:56 +0000

Tough luck Matt, sounds like you were up against very stiff and deserving competition. Your posts have been very helpful to anyone considering applying for a Jack Kent Cooke or other full, prestigious scholarship, like a Fulbright.

But you’re still going, you’ve got the 20% ESADE scholarship — and don’t forget the $2,000 InternationalStudent.com Travel Contest prize!

By: formybeautiful

formybeautiful — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 17:18:33 +0000

thanks a million! Yes, I am American. I am persuing a bach. degree in Design : visual communications at Athlone Institute of Technology. I have checked loads of sites that have Ireland on the lists but not that particular school; so I’m assuming it is not accredited by a school in America. Some of those sites were http://www.internationalstudentloan.com – http://www.iefc.com – I have just attempted the Salliemae website and I cannot find the school there either. The international officer at the school is away on holidays during the worst possible time. How long will this process take? How long is it approx. for a student visa?

By: Matt Brattin

Matt Brattin — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 13:48:59 +0000

Hello formybeautiful and congrats on getting accepted to a school in Ireland! That’s great!
Ok, a few questions came to mind while reading your comment:
Are you American?
Are you pursuing a Bachelors or Masters and in what?
What is the name of the Irish school you got into and is it accredited by the US?
What international student loan websites were you looking at?
I’m assuming you’re an American, but the other questions I’m not sure about and my response really hinges on that information, but I’ll try. This “list” potential lenders are giving you is likely a list of international schools with an American accreditation. If the school you’re considering attending is not accredited, you’re not going to be eligible for federal (stafford) loans. What this means is you’ll likely need to pursue a bank like Citi (not sure if they also require accredited institutions) or a private party lender.
If you haven’t already, I would check out http://www.salliemae.com/international/us_students/ and read up about the funding options discussed there (this is where I got all my loans).
Lastly, I would definitely get in touch with the Irish school’s financial aid department and see if they can tell you what American students have done in the past.
I hope this is helpful and at least gives you an idea of where to get your search rolling. Good luck, and please post again if you get any new information or have new questions.

*edit* Found this article timely. May want to read that as well.

By: formybeautiful

formybeautiful — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 03:08:02 +0000

Hi!!! I really need to talk to someone who is as knowledgable as you!!!! I have just been accepted to college in Ireland, which is great! However, I am having trouble with a student loan. I graduation in 06′ so I’ve had no guidance counsolour to help me or anything. I applied to the school directly and went to Ireland for the interview. I got my acceptance letter today but for the past few weeks I have been trying to get a loan. What kind of loan can I get? I’ve tried looking up international student loan websites on the net but none of them have this school on ‘the list’ so they say they can’t help me. I don’t know where to go. What did you, what was your situation? Do you have any ideas/advice for me? I was also very interested in the student visa, I better get ready for that one too. Any information you can give to me would be great, I’m desperate for help! Thanks very much..