You cannot change to F-1 student status when you have entered without a visa. The Director of International Student Services can assist you in the change of status application, but the INS makes the decision to approve or not approve your request. Non-immigrants are required by the US Immigration and Naturalization Service to maintain a permanent residence abroad as a condition of entering and remaining in the United States. Financial aid is not available to students in non-immigrant status. More information about the ISO scholarships Most grants, scholarships and loans from public and private sources are restricted to US citizens.
Some countries provide financial assistance to their citizens for study in the United States.
If you are married and plan to bring dependents with you to the United States, you must be able to support them fully. The spouse and children of an F-1 student are not permitted to work under any circumstances during their entire stay in the United States. In making the financial arrangements for your stay at Mercer, you must also realize that you cannot expect to work after your arrival. Employment is severely restricted for non-immigrants. United States employment may not be intended as a means for financial support.