My tuition didn't change. The naira did. How do I stay in college?

The question

An illustrative letter.

The answer

My dear, this is not your fault, and it is not your father's either. He planned carefully, and then the ground moved under the plan. Between June 2023 and February 2024, the naira lost about 69 percent of its value against the dollar. Savings that once covered every year of your degree now cover far less, through no failing of anyone in your family.

The good news is that schools see this. Your university has helped students through currency crises before, and the earlier you speak up, the more options you will have.

Who do I talk to first?

• The international student office. Find your designated school official, the person responsible for your F-1 record. They need to know what is happening, because nearly every solution touches your immigration status.
• The bursar or student accounts office. Ask what it would take to lift the hold, and whether a payment plan could let you register now and pay over the semester.
• Financial aid or the dean of students. Ask about emergency grants, hardship funds and scholarships open to international students, including ones from your department.

Go in person if you can, with your latest bill and a short, honest explanation of what changed.

Can I work to cover the gap?

Carefully, and only within the rules. As an F-1 student, you can generally work on campus up to 20 hours a week while classes are in session, without separate permission. A job in the library, dining hall or a department can help with living costs.

Off-campus work is different. You must not work off campus without authorization, because doing so can end your status. But there is a specific path for situations like yours. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services may grant off-campus work permission for severe economic hardship caused by circumstances beyond your control, and the conditions it lists include substantial changes in the exchange rate or value of the currency your family depends on, and unexpected changes in your source of support. You generally must have been in F-1 status for a full academic year, be in good academic standing and be enrolled full time. Your designated school official must recommend you, and you must file the application and receive your work authorization before you start.

What should I bring with me?

Bring your latest bill and the registration hold notice, your I-20, and anything that shows what changed, such as a letter from your father or bank statements showing how far the savings now stretch. Clear evidence helps offices act quickly, and it will matter if you later apply for hardship work permission.

Are there loans or outside scholarships?

International students are generally not eligible for federal student aid, such as federal grants and loans. Some private lenders offer loans to international students, usually with a creditworthy U.S. cosigner and often at higher rates, so read the terms carefully before borrowing. Outside scholarships exist too, from foundations, community groups and professional associations, though most have deadlines months ahead. Your school's financial aid office may keep a list.

Can I take fewer classes to save money?

Please do not drop below full time without speaking to your international student office first. F-1 students must normally carry a full course load, and the exceptions for a reduced load are narrow. Dropping classes on your own could put your status at risk, which would be a far bigger problem than a tuition bill.

How do I talk to my father about this?

With love, and with facts. He may feel he has failed you, when in truth a currency fell. Show him the numbers, tell him what your school has offered, and plan together what each of you can manage. Some families find that a payment plan, a campus job and a small scholarship together close a gap that looked impossible.

How do I make the money I have go further?

Write down every cost for the semester: tuition, fees, housing, food, books, phone and transport home. Look for savings in each line, such as used or library textbooks, a cheaper meal plan or a shared apartment next year. Our Budget Planner can help you see where every dollar goes.

What if the gap is still too big?

Ask your school about every option before making any decision on your own, including taking a semester off, transferring or finishing at a lower-cost institution. Each of these has immigration consequences, so plan them with your international student office, never alone.

You came here to build a future your father dreamed of, my dear. A currency can shrink. His pride in you has not. Go to the office this week, tell them your story, and let them help you finish what you started.

One thing to do this week

Take your bill to the international student office and the bursar this week, and find out what a payment plan or emergency grant could cover.