When it comes to being stuck between a rock and a hard place, Ryan VanWyk is all too familiar with the term. The 21-year-old aerospace engineer, along with other international students, has voiced a number of difficulties pertaining to the issue of finances.
Many of the grumbles heard in the International Student Federation office revolve around financial discontent. Some students end up leaving for institutions that are more expensive yet offer more in-depth finance packages, so that in the long run they save money.
VanWyk chose to attend Saint Louis University’s Madrid Campus for a number of reasons, including the work-study program, cheaper tuition fees and job opportunities in Europe. VanWyk also managed to meet the academic requirements to receive a 33 percent transfer scholarship to Saint Louis University.
He heard of the SLU Vision Scholarships and decided to apply, only to find that they were only available for American students. A need-based loan was out of the question as well, because an American co-signer is needed, which he did not have.
Currently, VanWyk is counting his days and stretching his dollars. “If tuition takes another 7 percent hike, I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do,” VanWyk stated.
Tomiwa Alabi, a freshman from Nigeria, has also encountered problems. Like many students, Alabi saw the financial requirements on paper and thought they were manageable, but when it came down to signing the tuition check, he realized just how difficult it was to come up with the cash.
“I probably could stay here if my father reaches into the deepest holes of his pockets, but that should not be necessary. Education for international and native students should be available at a manageable cost,” Alabi said.
Currently, Alabi is exploring other educational options for a number of reasons, but maintains that finance is a major factor in the decision.
Monica Parafinuk, a graduate student from Poland and president of the International Student Federation, said, “We have seen a large decrease in the number of international students from when I first arrived here four years ago. A lot of the decline is due to all the changes in currency, the large inflation in Eastern Europe and the Asian currency crisis.”
At Parafinuk’s arrival there were approximately 1200 foreign students attending SLU, and now it is estimated at about 650 students.
“We’ve talked with the International Programs Department, and they have a lot of sympathy for us, but are unfortunately unable to do very much, although the Board of Trustees has promised us [the IFS] that they would start working on the financial aid aspects of the problem,” Parafinuk added.
“SLU has to be more involved with trying to help the international students.”
Hal Deuser, director of financial aid, listed several financial options for international students. Ten scholarships are available to renew international students based on academic excellence.
Starting with the incoming freshman class for 2000-2001, all merit-based scholarships-such as the Dean’s, Presidential and University scholarships-will be open to international students as well.
