Becoming a student after K1

[Michelle+Tim 1]

Hi all,

I know im waaaaaayyy ahead of myself as we have just recently filed our petition for our K1 visa but im curious.

Currently i am an LPN and have aspirations to become an RN, sooner rather than later... I was wondering how i go about schooling once in the US?

Is there a period i have to wait?

Do i need to file my adjustment of status prior and does it have to have gone through? (ive heard this can be a quite lengthy process)

Would i be considered a foreign student? (after K1/after adjustment of status?)

what about funding, is that an option? or since i have a long road to US citizenship, i am out of luck?

ANY info or experiences is appreciated!!

Michelle

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You can attend school with K-1, your tuition rate will be dependent on the school's policies and the state's policies. You will have to ask each school you are interested in.

AOS can take a long time, but apply for EAD and AP with the AOS. They are free and meant as stop-gap permissions to work and travel. Once you have those, you can live normally in the US while AOS is pending, and those will be approved in 3 months.

Good luck.

[oohpartiv 484]

My husband filled out a FAFSA (federal application for student aid) and still got grants and was offered loans from the state to fund his education, even though he's not a citizen. The fact that you have valid documentation to be able to study (in his case, a green card) would be enough to make you eligible. Depending on how long your journey takes, I would try to fill it out prior to the end of June 2014, as that's the deadline to be eligible for full aid. You'd still get some offers if you do it after that date, but it wouldn't be as much.

Also, be prepared to pay out of state tuition prices, since you'll just be moving there. My hubby has to pay twice as much as me until he's been a PA resident for a year, which makes for a pretty hefty price tag but it'll be worth it in the long run. Definitely do some research about the places you want to study at, though, as they may have different requirements. I know our college requires all students with foreign diplomas to take an ESL (English as a second language) exam, and if they don't do well they have to take a certification class before they're allowed to take regular classes. It depends on the institution, though, and since you appear to be filing from Canada I doubt they'd make a bit stink about it.

Good luck!

Edited October 27, 2013 by oohpartiv

[Michelle+Tim 1]

Thank you both! greatly appreciated