US College versus UK University
 

We have 3 kids one of whom is in 9th grade at high school.

We have been over here 4 years and will hopefully hear that our green card application has been approved at the end of this year. Now we have decided to settle here my eldest (age 14) would like to study in the UK for her undergraduate course. Leaving aside the getting into Uni - she is taking AP courses and I think I am top of this bit of info around how tricky it is to get in - she would be treated as an international student which is cost prohibitive for us compared to in state college here. Have any of you got experience of kids going back to the UK to study on scholarships. Any thoughts on bringing the cost down or on European Universities for that matter.

Many thanks

Re: US College versus UK University
 

Other countries in the EU are sometimes free, or much reduced.

Alternative would be not to get greencards and blag that this is a temporary work assignment, which is doable if it is a company transfer. Kid moves to the UK for the 3 years.

Cost of uni as a international student, isn't necessarily all that much more expensive than home UK rates, but you do have the issue of not being able to get LEA student loans and having to pay up front instead of after earning x amount on graduation.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

If you are likely to be getting greencards then it sounds like your intention is to stick around the US for a while. In my opinion your kids would be better served in the US employment market by having US degrees.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

I don't agree with that statement. My degree is from the UK and it didn't hinder me at all in terms of finding employment in the US. My daughter is about to graduate from a Canadian university.

In today's global economy, many employers are looking for graduates who have lived in another country or speak another language. Students who study at foreign universities are usually more globally aware and also more independent than US students (e.g. European universities don't mollycoddle students through the process like they do in the US). In addition, European tuition fees are usually lower and so a bachelor's degree can be obtained in less time saving even more money.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

True.

But also, plenty of folks don't give any value to the unknown of foreign institutes. So going to a well respected university v a shit one, makes no difference unless it's OxBridge. So you might as well have gone to the local community school.

All this does depend on the type of work you'll be looking for though.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

It depends. Certainly there are advantages to studying abroad, but in any sector where graduate recruitment is done through campus visits, attending a college in the US that is highly ranked for your subject of study is a really big advantage.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

Yes, true.

One might also add another advantage: networking.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

It might be too late to start a 529 college plan, but it may save you some money on US school fees.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

We went through this 2 years ago and are still somewhat in the middle of it all for the next child.

If you get permanent resident status you will be able to apply for financial aid from the US college for your daughter and if she 's bright, doing the right course at the right college this could be a decent sum. She'll be able to apply for internships during the summer somewhat helped by her college. If she intends to stay in the US afterwards then this may be her best choice. This was the decision we arrived at with our eldest. If you're worried about costs then it is perfectly acceptable to spend the first 2 years at a community college and then transfer into the state university.

Since we are permanent residents and our middle child doesn't really see his future in the USA, he is applying to EU universities. He is bi-lingual english french but doesn't want to study in France. We have searched out universities which offer the course he wants in English and it turns out that the better ones do this so we didn't have to compromise on quality of the course. Most EU universities are very reasonable in costs, some are free and you will have living costs and flights home to pay for.

The UK wasn't really an option for my son, he hasn't lived in the UK so although his passport says British he feels more french/european. Given his options in Europe, he didn't feel that the cost of an oxbridge/russell group university was worth it. We would be paying international fees in the UK as a previous poster said, upfront too.

If your daughter wants to go back to the UK to study there aren't any scholarships that I'm aware of. Your best bet would be to postpone the green card application and get her through the admissions as "ordinarily resident in the UK" . But then you have the other kids to think about too because the choices you make now will affect them.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

This and also internships are a very big part of the career ladder these days.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

It really is too late and 529 plans are rubbish, IMO.

1. They mainly come with limited investment choices and high management fees.


2. They immediately reduce your eligibility for financial aid.

We're using a Roth IRA as an instrument to save for our youngest's college education and it has numerous advantages over a 529. However, you would need to evaluate this carefully in the context of your specific situation since there are a lot of issues and variables to consider.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

Some recent articles on costs between the 2 countries, what I find eye watering is the cost in the UK for International students for tuition only
£9000 as a UK resident versus UK£20,700 (US$30,410) for International students



Tuition fees: Is England more expensive than US? - BBC News


https://www.tremr.com/brennabrandes/...-or-not-to-pay


Tuition Fees at the World’s Top Universities | Top Universities

Re: US College versus UK University
 

Thanks for the articles very helpful.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

Another thing to consider is the type of study and assessment they want - many US students who have tried the UK system complain about the weight placed on one or two forms of assessment (e.g. end of term exam or 1 essay) or find that having to pick a major up front is stifling.
I've heard that some UK unis are now introducing liberal arts degrees, which is an interesting development. If you're focused and want to study just one thing, the UK system can be great, but if you have a lot of interests and love to learn about different things, and try a bit of everything, the US universities might be a better fit to find your passion along the way.
Hope this helps (UK educated Brit now working in US higher ed)

Re: US College versus UK University
 

Then again, when you have always known what you want to do, dicking around with minor subjects is just a waste of time, effort, money, and detracts from what you need/want to study instead.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

I thought these were similar to the old combined honours degrees, I may be wrong.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

I find your idea interesting. I was thinking of doing the same thing, but financial planners and the State keep stuffing 529 down my throat. From what I have read a roth IRA is much more flexible, you just don't save the tax going in. However I believe the is no tax to pay when you take it out and can be used to buy first house, education and retirement.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

A Roth is still a retirement plan, and you have to be -- I believe -- at least 59-1/2 to be able to withdraw without paying tax.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

You would think from the name. But this is one quote I found on bankrate " The Roth IRA can multitask by working toward retirement and college savings goals."

And then to add to the anxiety about being able to save for kids college, investments in the plans can be volatile.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

The value of a 529 plan depends to a large degree on where you are resident, particularly on the level of state income tax you pay. There are now several providers who provide reasonably flexible plans with low fees, the obvious example being Vanguard, though I believe some states require you to use their approved plans to get the full tax advantages, and some of these approved plans may still have limited choices and higher costs.

We actually have one for each of our kids, even though there is no income tax in Texas. A Roth IRA is not an alternative for us because we are already using that using that for retirement (strictly this is a backdoor Roth, as our income is too high to contribute to a Roth).

That said, the eligibility for financial aid is a concern.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

means tested financial aid is for people who really are poor. I'm talking parents working 2 jobs and the kid with a job. You'll fill out the FAFSA form thinking that it's a complete waste of time for anyone approaching a middle class lifestyle.

However, most colleges use the FAFSA for their own financial assessments and so it can be useful. In our experience, money is given out to bright poor kids first and then to above average clever, richer kids next. The college is still your best bet for any financial help if your kids are clever. If they want your kid then you can most certainly bargain with a couple of colleges over money.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

That's how I felt too - I studied a language and have no regrets about pursuing my degree in the UK having seen the level of fluency achieved when its a major vs a UK style degree. Also, I was quite happy to drop science and maths quite early (after GCSE) - teenage me didn't want to do them at Uni.
But not everyone likes the focused approach - it's just a case of finding what works for the individual student (some friends had no idea what they wanted to do!)