Many master’s programs in the U.S. stress the significance of gaining practical work experience to enhance the learning process. These programs permit students to seek Curricular Practical Training (CPT) immediately upon enrollment, enabling them to work legally while retaining their full-time student status.

Legal Working Status

F1 visa holders working in the U.S. not only deal with work pressures but also the crucial task of keeping their legal status. Opting for a Day-1 CPT program to keep working is a good choice for those:

1.  Whose employers don’t provide H-1B sponsorships
2.  Who didn’t get selected for an H-1B visa
3.  Who haven’t found a job during the H-1B unemployment period
4.  Whose OPT has expired or been denied
5.  Who are unsure about their career path in the U.S., as any mistake could mean losing their legal work eligibility and the right to stay in the U.S.

Related Post: List of 18 U.S. Universities Offering Day1 CPT

Day-1 CPT Scholarship Calculation

Using Westcliff University as an example, the institution operates on six terms per academic year, each approximately two months long.

Westcliff University offers the “President’s Scholarship for Diversity and Inclusion (China)” every other term, awarding $2,500 each time.

In essence, one could potentially receive up to $7,500 annually. This represents just one of several scholarships, most of which are granted three times per year.

By consistently submitting the necessary documentation and maintaining satisfactory academic performance, students can avail themselves of these scholarship opportunities.

Scholarship Calculation

A brief introduction to the calculation logic:

Monthly expense of Day-1 CPT

= (Total tuition fees + Frequency of classes * Transportation costs for classes + Hidden time costs – Scholarships) / (Months needed to complete the program + Months for OPT)

Day-1 CPT SchoolMonthly ExpensesAssuming a Total Scholarship for Two YearsMonthly Expenses after the ScholarshipWestcliff University (Second Master’s Degree)	$1,222.5	$7,500	$597.5
Westcliff University (First Master’s Degree + 12 months OPT)	$815	$7,500	$190

The Day-1 CPT Project Monthly Expenditure Calculator computes the monthly cost for enrolling in Day-1 CPT to secure legal status (F-1) both prior to and following receipt of the scholarship.

How to Obtain Internal Day-1 CPT scholarship

Common Types of Scholarships:

Various scholarship opportunities exist for students enrolled in Day-1 CPT programs, typically awarded upon admission and contingent upon the applicant’s qualifications. These scholarships can be granted for diverse reasons, such as achieving a high GPA in prior academic pursuits, transferring schools with a commendable GPA, being the first in the family to pursue college or study abroad, having siblings attending the same institution, among others.

GPA-Based Scholarships:

Students often have access to scholarships based on maintaining a specific high GPA, typically ranging from 3.25 to 3.7. Eligibility for these scholarships usually begins after completing the initial term, with application deadlines varying depending on the school’s policies. Some Day-1 CPT schools, operating on multiple terms annually (3-6 terms), may allow students to apply for these scholarships each term or every other term, facilitating multiple opportunities for application within a year.

Research-Based Scholarships:

Certain institutions organize paper competitions on specific topics and extend scholarship support to the authors of selected papers. For instance, submissions may be solicited exploring innovative perspectives or solutions within fields such as liberal arts and contemporary management themes.

Diversity Scholarships:

These scholarships often hinge on factors like membership in specific demographics, such as ethnic minorities (e.g., Asian), professional women, campus entrepreneurs, or the LGBT+ community. Typically, annual application windows are available for these scholarships, with applicants typically required to furnish academic transcripts and pertinent documents.

Important Application Timelines:

Generally, deadlines for internal scholarship applications fall 30 days prior to the commencement of the semester. Given the varying criteria across institutions, it’s advisable to conduct research promptly upon receiving an offer or to monitor opportunities for scholarship application as the next term approaches.

Scholarship Application Process:

Navigate to the school’s official website and locate the scholarship page, as well as the page relevant to your specific program or college. Gather essential information in accordance with the scholarship requirements, submit the requisite documents, and monitor your email for updates.

Westcliff University – Scholarships and Grants

How to Obtain External Scholarships

Sources for External Scholarship Information

• School’s Scholarship Pages: These serve as your primary information hub. Many institutions, recognizing their limited scholarship provisions, allocate resources to compile details of external scholarships for their students. These scholarships typically adhere to deadlines, with scholarship organizations relying on schools to efficiently disseminate this information.
• Third-Party Scholarship Information Platforms: Platforms such as NICHE and collegescholarships.org exemplify such resources. Utilizing keywords like “international,” “graduate,” and your field of study on these platforms facilitates the discovery of relevant scholarships.
• Government Websites: Explore the websites of the state government where your institution is situated. New scholarship initiatives may be announced concerning educational, medical, minority policies, women’s rights, and justice agenda initiatives.

Steps in the Scholarship Application Process

1. Research: Discover appropriate scholarship programs via school channels, third-party scholarship search engines, and government websites. Exercise caution when engaging with websites that mandate email binding or payment, as they may lead to an influx of unwanted spam.
2. Prepare Required Documents: Gather the requisite application materials as stipulated on the scholarship websites.
3. Submit Application Documents: Typically, you will need identification documents, proof of enrollment, and transcripts. Additional requirements may include application letters, study plans, character references, evidence of skills, personality assessments, recent photographs, essays or reports, and certification from the degree registrar, depending on the specific program.
4. Follow-up: Stay informed about the status of your application by monitoring emails and official websites.