University Study in the USA
Tuesday, 21 October 2025


1. Research Your Options

EducationUSA

Five Steps to US Study

1. Research your options

2. Finance your study

3. Complete your application

4. Apply for your student visa

5. Prepare for your departure

Links to useful information on applying for US Universities (be aware that you cannot take a NZ student loan or have the first year fees free if applying for an overseas university and that as an international student fees may be higher than for the domestic students):

EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State network that promotes U.S. higher education to students around the world by offering accurate, comprehensive, and current information about opportunities to study at accredited postsecondary institutions in the United States. In New Zealand, they are located at the U.S. Consulate General Auckland and the U.S. Embassy Wellington

EducationUSA New Zealand teamed up with the Australian branch to launch a joint YouTube channel as a depository of information for students interested in studying in the United States. The channel includes 20+ videos for students, parents, and educators to watch at their leisure. More videos and playlists will be added in the future https://www.youtube.com/c/EducationUSAAustraliaNewZealand

USA Application process (a step by step guide) : https://www.internationalstudent.com/study_usa/application-process/

College Board (from this page you can see the other search engines under the Big Future tab) https://www.collegeboard.org/

SAT for USA: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat

ACT Testing: https://global.act.org/content/global/en/products-and-services/the-act-non-us.html

Petersons (College preparation) https://www.petersons.com/

College Confidential (admission preparation support) https://www.collegeconfidential.com/

Crimson Consulting - Secrets of the Ivy League (this organisation help with the application process to ivy league colleges in the US and UK for a fee - check costs before you sign up) : www.crimsoneducation

Ethos Recruiting (this organisation helps with the application process to colleges in the US and UK for a fee- check costs before you sign up) : www.ethosrecruiting.com/

2. Finance Your Study 

Scholarship Search Engines for USA (this website has a lot of information- see student resources tab at the top of this page: https://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/scholarships-grants/

Funding Study Abroad (Institute of International Education) https://fundingusstudy.org/

We Make Scholars https://www.wemakescholars.com/scholarship?nationality=175&country=168

International Scholarships https://www.internationalscholarships.com/

Fullbright Scholarships https://www.fulbright.org.nz/awards-for-new-zealanders/

Sports Scholarships 

National Collegiate Athletic Association

First Point USA

NCSA College Recuitment

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics https://www.naia.org/findyourpath/index


If you are considering applying for sport scholarships for US universities in your future, it can help to have a guide to help you negotiate the process. Possible NCAA sports include swimming, women's rowing, athletics, water polo, women's hockey, volleyball, squash, basketball, soccer, golf, gymnastics and tennis. Garth Littlejohn has a consulting business in this field. He charges an hourly fee. https://www.usasportscholadvice.com/


3. Making Your Application