A college typically offers only undergraduate, four-year bachelor’s degrees (B.A. and/or B.S.), while a university would also have graduate-level programs (master’s and Ph.D.). Community colleges offer two-year associate’s degrees, upon receiving which students may enter the workforce, or transfer into a four-year college or university to complete their higher education.

There are four main steps to consider. The first step is to decide which universities to apply to. This is often a complicated task, because you need to know a lot in order to make a good choice. After you have decided which schools interest you, the next step is to plan your admissions time line. Each university or college sets their own application deadlines, although some accept applications on a rolling basis. If you plan to apply for financial aid, beware that the application deadline for that may be several months before a regular application deadline. Your standardized test scores, such as the TOEFL, SAT, GMAT, or other, should be ready by the time of your application. So plan your test preparation and testing dates first.
Many U.S. academic institutions now use an online application that you can access from anywhere in the world, save it, submit it, and then track its status. Admissions offices also offer online help via real time chat and e-mail.
Once you have your test scores ready, the third step is to complete the applications at the institutions you have selected and arrange to have all of your records of secondary and post-secondary study sent directly to the U.S. universities. Then submit the applications, along with application fees and any supporting materials you have. 12 The final step requires some patience. You must wait until the universities make their admission decisions.
This can take from a few weeks to a few months. If you are accepted, you will be sent an I-20 form, which is a document you will need in order to get your student visa. Check with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate near you regarding the latest requirements for your visa application. Typically, you will be asked to present a valid
passport, an original I-20, and proof of your intentions to return to Ghana upon completion of your studies.
We can help you plan your admission process and assist you with every step!

Merit-based scholarships: These scholarships are awarded on a case-by-case basis by a college or university which offers you admission. Not all academic institutions offer these scholarships, and the number of awards each year for each program is limited, so the competition for these awards is fierce. The award amounts also
range between as little as $500, and as high as the full cost of tuition. Scholarships rarely cover the cost of room and board.

Need-based financial assistance: This assistance is granted according to financial need as demonstrated on the College Board’s Foreign Student Financial Aid Application Form (FSFAAF) completed by you and your parents.

This application form is available online; however, you should request it directly from the institution you are applying to. The amount of assistance can also vary, and may sometimes be so generous as to include the full cost of attendance and return airfare!

Curriculum Practical Training (CPT): Generally speaking, CPT is an integral part of an academic program and aims to help students gain practical knowledge in their field of study. Cooperative education (coop), internships, work/study programs, etc. may be built into an academic program’s core curriculum and may be required for all students to undertake in order to graduate. The academic institutions offering such programs have agreements with the sponsoring employers.

Non-immigrant students (those on the F-1 visa) are allowed to work in United States during the period of their enrollment in the degree-level program. To be eligible for CPT, students need to be enrolled for a
minimum of one year, and the authorization for employment is granted through a Designated Student Official (DSO) at the institution where the student is enrolled, in coordination with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Optional Practical Training (OPT): Non-immigrant students (graduate and undergraduate), who entered the United States on an F-1 visa, are allowed to work for a minimum of two consecutive semesters in their field of study, upon completion of their academic program. OPT can be extended for a maximum of 29 months  for students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Upon receiving an authorization from the USCIS via their university or college the student attended, he or she may work full time for any U.S. employer for the duration of their authorization.