F-1 student visa courses: Your complete guide and how to finance your U.S. education

Studying in the United States remains a dream for thousands of students around the world. From world-class academic institutions to post-graduation work opportunities, the U.S. continues to lead as the top destination for international students.

But before you can begin this journey, the first major milestone is securing your F-1 student visa, and that starts with choosing the right course.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about:

• What the F-1 visa is and how it works

• F-1 visa eligible courses and universities

• How to choose the right programme

• How to finance your U.S. education with Prodigy Finance

• FAQs to help you apply with confidence

What is an F-1 student visa?

The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa issued to international students enrolled in full-time academic programmes at SEVP-certified U.S. institutions. This visa allows you to study, participate in internships, and even work after graduation through Optional Practical Training (OPT).

F-1 visa requirements

To be eligible for an F-1 visa, you must:

• Enrol in a full-time, SEVP-approved programme

• Demonstrate strong ties to your home country

• Show proof of funds to cover at least one year of tuition and living expenses

• Maintain a valid passport and complete the DS-160 application form

What courses are eligible for the F-1 visa?

Not every course makes you eligible for the F-1 visa. Here’s a list of course categories that do qualify:

1. STEM degrees (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)

These are in high demand globally and qualify for up to 3 years of OPT:

• Computer Science

• Data Science

• Mechanical and Civil Engineering

• Cybersecurity

• Artificial Intelligence

2. Business and management programmes

Popular with students looking to accelerate their careers:

• MBA

• Master’s in Finance, Marketing, or Supply Chain Management

• Master’s in Business Analytics

3. Public health and biomedical sciences

High ROI courses, especially post-pandemic:

• Master of Public Health (MPH)

• Health Informatics

• Biomedical Research

4. Arts, humanities, and social sciences

Eligible if full-time and degree-granting:

• Psychology

• Political Science

• International Relations

5. English language programmes

Must be full-time and intensive, often used as a bridge to degree programmes.

Tip: Only choose institutions certified by SEVP to ensure F-1 visa eligibility. You can check the SEVP School List here.

Read more: The Best Cities in the US for International Master’s Students

How to choose the right course for F-1 visa success

Choosing the right course is not just about what you enjoy; it can impact your visa approval, future job prospects, and finances. Here’s how to choose wisely:

Align with your academic background

Visa officers look for a logical link between your previous education or work experience and your chosen course.

Choose SEVP-approved institutions

Only these schools can issue your I-20 form, which is mandatory for your visa application.

Think about employability and post-study work

Courses in tech, business, and health tend to offer stronger job prospects and better OPT/CPT opportunities.

Plan financially from day one

U.S. tuition fees can be expensive. Choose programmes with a strong ROI and access to trusted student loan providers like Prodigy Finance.

Finance your U.S. education with Prodigy Finance 

One of the biggest hurdles international students face is financing their education. Most traditional lenders require:

• A U.S. co-signer

• Collateral

• Lengthy paperwork

Prodigy Finance breaks that mould. We offer education loans for international master’s students without any co-signer or collateral.

Why choose Prodigy Finance?

• Supports students from 120+ countries

• No collateral required

• Online application and quick approval process

• Covers tuition and living expenses

• Competitive interest rates based on your future earning potential

Use our education loan calculator to estimate your EMI and total loan cost.

How does your F-1 course and loan impact your visa application

To receive the F-1 visa, you must show proof of funds for at least the first year of your course. A loan sanction letter from Prodigy Finance is accepted as valid proof by U.S. embassies and consulates.

Visa documents checklist:

• I-20 from your university

• SEVIS fee receipt

• DS-160 confirmation

• Prodigy Finance loan sanction letter (as proof of funds)

• Academic documents

• Visa appointment confirmation

How does your F-1 course and loan impact your visa application

To receive the F-1 visa, you must show proof of funds for at least the first year of your course. A loan sanction letter from Prodigy Finance is accepted as valid proof by U.S. embassies and consulates.

Visa documents checklist:

• I-20 from your university

• SEVIS fee receipt

• DS-160 confirmation

• Prodigy Finance loan sanction letter (as proof of funds)

• Academic documents

• Visa appointment confirmation

What the new vetting guidelines mean for applicants

On 18 June 2025, the U.S. State Department announced expanded vetting measures for F, M and J visa applicants. These include:

• A “comprehensive and thorough” review of your social media and online presence

• A requirement to make all social media profiles public

• Enhanced screening for signs of hostility towards the U.S., support for foreign terrorist organisations or unlawful antisemitic activity

• A warning that private or limited accounts may be viewed as attempts to hide content and could lead to rejection; even lacking an online presence may be perceived as evasive

• Consular officers have five business days to implement these changes from mid‑June, affecting interview scheduling—expect potential delays

What you should do:

• Submit your DS‑160 promptly

• Make your social media accounts public

• Review your digital footprint carefully—remove or reconsider content that could be misinterpreted

• Check your embassy or consulate website regularly for updated interview availability

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Applying to part‑time or online‑only programmes → F‑1 visa only covers full‑time in‑person study.

2. Choosing non‑SEVP institutions → This results in automatic rejection.

3. Insufficient financial planning → Visa officers expect robust proof of funds.

4. Mismatched academic background → May trigger a section 214(b) refusal.

5. Maintaining private social media profiles post‑June 2025 → Could cause suspicion or denial.

Final takeaway: The right course + right loan = visa success

The journey to studying in the U.S. begins with choosing the right F-1 student visa course, but it doesn’t stop there. Financial planning is just as important.

Prodigy Finance helps thousands of students like you cross financial barriers and achieve your academic goals. 

Ready to fund your F-1 journey? Check your eligibility and get your loan quote today!

FAQs

*Loan and promotion offers are subject to our eligibility, funding, and credit assessment criteria.

The purpose of this guide is to provide prospective students with an overview of the application process for a US student visa and OPT visa extension, and should not be regarded as legal or immigration advice or as a substitute for the official information published by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) from time to time or any instructions and/or advice provided by US embassies and consuls. Whilst we have carefully compiled the guide in accordance with the information published by USCIS, Prodigy Finance Limited does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, mistakes, omissions or outdated information in the guide and we encourage prospective students and other readers to consult the USCIS’s website. Prodigy Finance Limited is not authorised by the Department of Justice (DOJ)'s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) to provide immigration services and will not provide any additional information or assistance to any person to apply for a US student visa, OPT, OPT visa extension or other category visa.

The Prodigy Finance Loan Calculator (the “Calculator”) is provided for informational purposes only and may be used as a general guide only and is provided "as is". In addition to liability clauses in the Terms of Use, which also governs the display and use of the tool, Prodigy Finance Ltd make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the tool or the information it provides and is not responsible or liable for any errors in or omissions from the tool and the results provided. The Calculator may only be used for your personal use and may not be used for any commercial or business purposes. The results do not constitute an offer for a loan or imply in any way that the user of the Calculator will be eligible for a loan with Prodigy Finance or will receive a loan offer from Prodigy Finance, if they apply. The calculation does not include all mandatory fees usually charged by Prodigy Finance or take into account any changes to the interest rate or any missed, short or additional payments made on a loan.