EB5AN has created Studying in the U.S.A. – A Guidebook for Students from South Africa, a FREE downloadable guidebook geared directly to the needs of South African students.

Studying in the U.S.A. covers every step South African students will face as they apply and begin their university education in the U.S. This guide offers multiple checklists, to make sure students pack the right equipment and never forget the right documents. It gives students resources and advice on how to apply to U.S. universities, how to find scholarships, and especially how to navigate the U.S. student visa application process. It even demonstrates the differences between South African and American culture, as well as how to navigate banking and other aspects of daily life in the United States.

Download “Studying in the U.S.A. – A Guidebook for Students from South Africa”

Every year, more and more South African students seek to study in the United States. A degree from a prestigious university in America can be life-changing. With this guidebook, EB5 Affiliate Network hopes to make the entire process as easy as possible.

South Africa and the Global Economy

South Africa’s stock exchange is Africa’s largest and one of the top 20 in the world. It is a middle-income emerging market with a high level of mining, financial services, communications, and transport industries. Of the labor force, it is estimated that at least 71.9% work in service-related industries. Yet a whopping 28% of its population of 59 million (2019) is considered unemployed or underemployed, one of the highest rates in the world.

International Students From South Africa

South Africa is a growing market among African nations for students receiving a U.S. university education. In 2019, there were approximately 2,224 students from South Africa enrolled in U.S. colleges or universities, according to the Institute of International Education (IIE).

With a population of more than 59 million, this means that about 0.00375% of the population of South Africa is studying abroad in the United States.

In the decade from 2005 to 2015, foreign students studying in the United States increased by a staggering 85%. The number of students from South Africa enrolled is also increasing, though not as dramatically, despite the explosion of educational opportunities on various internet platforms such as edx.org and Coursera.com

However, the cost of a U.S. education has increased substantially over the past 20 years. Since 1987, U.S. colleges and universities have increased tuition by more than 500%, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. This increase places an increasingly heavy burden on South African families, especially as its government tries to grapple with rising inflation.

Foreign students at U.S. universities pay an average 300% more in tuition than their domestic counterparts. Foreign students at a U.S. college or university can expect to pay an average of anywhere from $22,000 to $50,000 USD in tuition every year, not to mention costs of housing, meals, and other expenses. These costs are dramatically lower if applicants are U.S. citizens or green card holders with permanent residency.

Lower Tuition for South African Students

South African students can get lower tuition at U.S. universities if they have U.S. permanent residency status. An EB-5 immigrant visa confers U.S. permanent residency status on its applicant, once approved. Green card holders, as they are known, are allowed to pay local or “in-state” tuition rates at U.S. universities, whether the institution is private and public.

South African students can also increase their chances of admission to universities by more than 500% with permanent residency status.

With this free guidebook, South African students can make their dreams of a U.S. university education a reality with more ease than ever before. Whether students decide to attend with higher tuition on a student visa or with lower tuition on an EB-5 visa, this guidebook, and the team at EB5AN are ready to make South African students’ dreams a reality.