I am a Nigerian and I just got an offer of admission for a Masters Program in University of Houston starting in Spring semester (January 2007). I will be studying as an International Student so I won't be allowed to work outside the campus. Do you think I can get a scholarship between now and January? Where, How?

You likely won't be able to get a scholarship so soon before school resumes. Your best bet to obtaining scholarships at U of H now is complete 12 credit hours or more during your first semester and be in good academic standing i.e. 3.0 grade point average or better (on a scale of 4.0), It would be best to have at least a 3.5 because there is so much competition for those scholarships. Then, you will be able to apply for scholarships for the next semester.

The office of international students offers grants and in-state tuition waivers to international students who have high GPAs. The in-state tuition will allow you to pay fees as if you were a Texas/U.S. resident (much cheaper than the international tuition that you would have to pay in your first semester). You get the waiver only if you obtain the scholarship - Or find a job on campus as a research assistant (or graduate assistant, if you are a graduate student).

Check out the international students web site and the info on grants and scholarships:

http://www.issso.uh.edu/finances/tpegisssoscholarship.html

I went to school in the deep south, by the way.

Thanks Omonla. that info is useful. I still dey pray make dem give me visa sha.