What is the real difference between having a U.S. Green Card and not having one? In fact, children with a Green Card have advantages in every aspect of studying in the United States.
Difference 1: Visas
Obviously, with a U.S. Green Card, you no longer need a visa to enter the United States.
Difference 2: Tuition
Since all primary and secondary schools in the U.S. provide compulsory education, i.e., zero tuition (excluding elite private boarding schools), students do not need to pay any fees, only lunch money. After new immigrants arrive, the enrollment procedures for public schools in their place of residence are very simple; they only need to present a home purchase or rental contract, along with utility bills, telephone bills, and proof of the child's vaccinations.
Regarding university tuition, for international students studying in the U.S., the annual cost of tuition, living expenses, room and board, and round-trip airfare is approximately 250,000 RMB. A four-year undergraduate degree costs at least 1 million RMB. However, tuition for local students is only one-third that of international students, and international students are not eligible to apply for Financial Aid. State universities or community colleges charge even higher miscellaneous fees and credit fees to international students.
Difference 3: Student Loans
Green Card holders over the age of 18 can apply for various types of student loans in the same year they receive their Green Card. For example, when attending a top U.S. private university, tuition can be as high as $30,000 per year. When a Green Card holder wants to pursue a 2-year master's degree, costing $60,000 to $70,000, they can apply for a loan.
Difference 4: Admission to Top Schools
To enter top-tier U.S. universities, such as the 8 Ivy League schools, the average annual acceptance rate is only 9.2%. Generally, the number of international students admitted by top universities each year is about 5% to 10% of the total enrollment, and they recruit from all over the world. Taking Harvard University as an example, in the past 7 years, it has only admitted 7 Chinese students per year; 90% to 95% of the spots are reserved for permanent residents or citizens, with about 2,000 local students admitted each year.
Difference 5: Scholarships
For international students intending to apply for U.S. university scholarships, they can only compete with outstanding individuals from all over the world for a very limited number of scholarships open to foreign nationals. However, for those with a U.S. Green Card, the range of scholarships available is far greater than what a foreigner can apply for.
Difference 6: Part-time Work
Because international students lack status, their ability to work is restricted. First, they can only apply for on-campus part-time jobs. Most of these on-campus jobs are manual labor without technical requirements, and they are limited in number, making it difficult for most international students to obtain them. Second, only students who have obtained such positions and received a Social Security Number are eligible to work part-time off-campus. Local students do not have status issues, have fewer restrictions on working, and can freely choose where to work. There are more off-campus part-time jobs, higher pay, and a wider variety of work content.
Difference 7: Medical Expenses
The high medical expenses for international students can only be covered through commercial insurance or out-of-pocket payments. In contrast, most medical expenses for local students are covered by social insurance, and parents can be by their side at any time to provide more care and guidance in their studies and daily life.
Difference 8: Employment
Green Card holders are not restricted in their employment in the U.S., whereas foreign students face highly unequal competition when looking for jobs after graduation compared to U.S. students. The U.S. government has specialized agencies that provide free job search assistance to its own citizens.
Difference 9: Staying to Work in the U.S.
After completing their studies in the U.S., the first issue international students must resolve is their status. U.S. F-1 students have a one-year Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility after graduation. If a student has not applied for OPT within 60 days after graduation, they must leave the United States. After obtaining an OPT visa, they seek a job, and then the employer acts to convert the F-1 student status to H-1B employment status. After holding an H-1B visa, the applicant can work while applying for a Green Card. The cycle generally lasts 6 to 7 years. The U.S. issues 140,000 Green Cards for employment-based immigration each year, and the number of Green Cards obtained by citizens of any country through employment-based immigration cannot exceed 7% of the total, meaning no more than 9,800 Green Cards. However, the number of applicants for employment-based immigration from countries like China and India far exceeds this number. This means that many Chinese students who have obtained master's and doctoral degrees in the U.S. face a long waiting period even if they find a job in the U.S. and have an employer sponsor their Green Card application. If an international student finishes their studies in the U.S. and still has not received a Green Card after their 6-year work visa expires, they have no choice but to leave the U.S. According to statistics from authoritative departments, the number of Chinese students returning home after graduation is increasing year by year.
