Which English tests do universities accept for international students?

Studying in the United States is a dream for many international students, but with the price tag of a four-year degree hitting more than six figures, cost can be a significant barrier.

Whether it’s kickstarting your career with a degree from an internationally recognized university or becoming more specialized in your current field, there are lots of different financial aid options to help make your American dream a reality.

Who offers scholarships for international students studying in the US?

Based on merit, need, or specific talents, scholarships and grants are one of the most sought-after forms of financial aid. These financial awards cover part or all of the tuition fees and don’t require repayment.

Most students focus on university scholarships, but there are also government, private, and sector-specific options to explore, as well as work-study programs where students can offset fees by working on campus.

1. University scholarships

Many US universities offer scholarships specifically for international students, such as New York University or the California State University International Programs.

2. Government scholarships

The US government also provides funding for international students to study in the US through programs like the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program and the Fulbright Foreign Student Program which helps 4,000 students each year.

3. State scholarships

More rare than federal scholarships, there are some state-level programs such as the California State University International Programs that work across the 23 different institutions to offer scholarships for international students.

4. Private scholarships

Various organizations and foundations offer scholarships to international students, such as the AAUW International Fellowships, for women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and the Aga Khan Foundation’s International Scholarship Programme, for academically outstanding students from a range of countries who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford to study.

5. Sector-based scholarships

There’s a shortage of workers in key sectors like leisure, hospitality, and nursing in the US. If you’re planning to study an in-demand field, research sector-specific scholarships like the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program to find financial support.

How to find US scholarships for international students

With so many different financial aid and scholarship options available for international students wanting to study in America, it can be hard to know where to start.

A great first step is contacting the Financial Aid team at the universities you’re interested in, as well as searching online databases for relevant scholarship opportunities.

1. University financial aid offices

Almost every university in the US has a financial aid office. They’ll have many years' experience helping international students with funding options and be able to provide detailed information about available scholarships, grants, and work-study opportunities specifically for international students.

2. Online scholarship databases

Don’t limit yourself to what’s available from your university. Online scholarship databases can help find more specific financial aid from a wide variety of sources.

Popular databases include:

• StudyPortals is one of the largest databases and brings together everything you need to know to explore your study options all in one place. They have dedicated scholarship portals for bachelors, masters and PHD study.

• International Education Financial Aid (IEFA): A resource for financial aid, college scholarships, and grant information for international students.

• The US Department of Labor has a scholarship search tool where you can filter by level of study.

• Scholarships.com: Offers a searchable database of scholarships for international students.

3. EducationUSA

EducationUSA is a US Department of State network with advice centers in more than 170 countries — check if there’s a center near you with their online search tool. From financial aid right through to the documents you’ll need for immigration, they offer advice and support with all aspects of studying in the US.

Which US universities offer the best financial aid for international students?

If you’re looking for universities with great support for international students, the East Coast is the place to start.

With the exception of a few institutions in California, the U.S. News “Best Value Schools” research found that institutions in Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut gave the most generous support to international students.

Here are just a few of universities offering specific support for international students:

• New York University (NYU) Global Scholarships

• University of Maryland

• University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

• Florida State University International Student Scholarships

• The University of California, Berkeley International Student Scholarships

Narrowing down your university search to institutions with a strong track record of supporting international students can help maximize your chance of receiving financial aid.

Applying for financial aid

The most important thing to remember when applying for financial aid is to allow plenty of time.

Researching the different options, writing applications, and waiting to hear back can be a long process, and many scholarships and grants have early deadlines.

You’ll also want enough time to tailor each application to the institution, as well as getting important documents translated and completing English proficiency tests, such as the Pearson Test of English (PTE) — the faster, fairer, simpler English test. The test only takes 2 hours with results typically in less than 2 days and is approved by most universities across the US.

The US has the largest number of nurses globally, and half of all the English-speaking nurses in the world work in the US.  

But faced with a national shortage that continues to grow, the US has been welcoming nurses from around the world to keep its healthcare system ticking.  

Higher salaries, good working conditions, and the ability to bring family have made it a top destination for international nurses looking for a new chapter.   

We explore what’s behind the nursing shortage and why more and more nurses are choosing to call the US home.  

Why is there a nursing shortage in the US?  

The combination of an aging population and increased healthcare needs after Covid means that there aren’t enough nurses in the US to meet patient demand.  

Many experienced nurses are also retiring, with almost a quarter of Registered Nurses (RNs) having stepped down or planning to retire in the next five years, according to a 2022 national survey.  

There’s a shortage of nursing educators too; nursing schools had to turn away almost 66,0000 applicants in 2023 because they didn’t have enough teaching staff.  

The result is that hospitals and healthcare facilities are actively recruiting international nurses to fill critical gaps, offering a stable and secure career path for nurses willing to relocate to the US. 

How many nursing job openings are there in the US

There are almost 4.7 million registered nurses in the US.

That number is projected to grow by almost 10%, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, who predict that there will be almost 200,000 vacancies for Registered Nurses each year between 2020 and 2030.  

Where do international nurses come from?  

The number of nurses relocating to the US has tripled since 1994, and around 8% of current Registered Nurses were educated outside of the US.   

The Philippines (29%) and Jamaica (29%) are the top countries Registered Nurses have relocated from, followed by India (19%).  

Quickly part of the team, almost 90% of international nurses say they feel accepted by patients and nursing colleagues.  

Why do nurses choose the US? 

For many international nurses, moving to the US means better professional and personal resources and different ways to specialize, train and focus their careers.  

Higher salaries 

The US is known for offering some of the highest rates of pay for nurses globally.  

On average, Registered Nurses earn just under $95,000 a year (c.$45 an hour), with the top 10% of nurses earning over $132,000 annually.  

The states with the highest mean annual salaries for nurses are California ($137,690) and New York ($106,620).   

Many US healthcare facilities also offer sign-on bonuses and retention bonuses. 

Better benefits 

The financial benefits of nursing in the US go beyond the salary. US employers provide comprehensive compensation packages that include healthcare coverage for nurses and their families, pensions, paid sick leave and vacation days.   

Over a quarter of employers also provide childcare, with 10% providing their nursing staff with help repaying student loans. 

Ability to bring family 

There’s a myth that moving to the US means leaving your family behind. But with nurses in such high demand, spouses and children under 21 are allowed to accompany nurses to the US — even on a H-1B Registered Nurse temporary visa.  

Those dependents on a H-4 visa are able to apply to work in the US, with the opportunity for the whole family to become US citizens if you progress to the employment-based EB-3 permanent residency visa, or “Green Card” as it’s better known. 

Flexibility with the nurse licensure compact 

Another advantage of working as a nurse in the US is the flexibility of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).  

From large urban hospitals in Dallas to rural clinics in North Dakota, this multistate license allows nurses to practice in any of the 42 jurisdictions, finding the setting that best suits their expertise, family, and lifestyle.  

Opportunities to specialize 

Whether it’s pediatric care, oncology, critical care, or advanced practice nursing, the US healthcare system provides many opportunities for nurses to specialize.  

Hospitals and healthcare institutions in the US often have training programs to help nurses achieve their specialization goals and gain hands-on experience with the most advanced medical technology and procedures.  

Being able to specialize in the areas that are of special interest not only boosts job satisfaction, but it also unlocks opportunities for higher pay and stepping up the career ladder. 

Career advancement and leadership roles 

For those interested in a leadership role, there are many different options within US nursing, such as Nurse Managers, Directors of Nursing, or Chief Nursing Officers.  

These positions not only come with higher salaries but also provide the opportunity to influence healthcare policies, mentor the next generation of nursing professionals, and improve patient care on a broader scale.  

Professional and personal opportunities

Relocating to the US offers nurses a whole host of professional and personal opportunities.  

In high demand, international nurses are valued by healthcare employers, with high wages, great benefits, and opportunities to take their nursing career in the direction that interests them most.  

Thinking of making the move? Take that first step with PTE Academic — the faster, fairer, simpler way to evidence your English skills.   

PTE Academic covers all four skills in just a single two-hour test, so test takers don’t need to worry about taking a separate speaking test with a human examiner. PTE Academic is a computer-based test and so test takers are judged purely on their English skills. Not their accent, their age, their outfit or their appearance.  

Accepted by the major US nursing bodies, find out more about how PTE can help you start your new chapter in the US.

We have all been there; it’s normal to be full of nerves before a test, with uncertainty of what to expect, and doubts about how you’re going to perform. 

However, whilst nerves and anticipation are an unavoidable part of the testing experience, there are ways to reduce this when preparing for your PTE test, so you can grow in confidence before test day and achieve your desired score.

At PTE, we are all about doing it worry-free!  

And to do it worry-free, you need to know what’s coming up and familiarise yourself with the PTE test.

Here are 4 ways you can start your PTE preparation and get the practice in, so you are confident for when test day comes. 

1. Familiarize yourself with the test and what’s expected:

A great way to prepare is to know all about what you can expect on test day. We have lots of resources available on our Preparation page. We'd recommend that you explore this section of our site and gather any top tips that you can from our range of free resources, also known as our A-Z of PTE. This includes a run-through of each question type as well as a video of what to expect on test day, which you can also watch below on this page!