I-130 or F-1? Please advise.

Hi,

I am a US Citizen, currently in Pakistan. I was raised in the US, but came to Pakistan, along with my parents, to study. In December, 2004 I got married to a Pakistani national. I plan to return to the US by 2008 at the latest, and would like to take my husband along with me.

He has done an MSc, but wants to do another masters in the USA, and so will be applying to programs this September for Fall, 2007. My question is: should he apply for an F-1 student visa and then later on when he is in the US and has completed his studies, apply for a Green Card through an I-130? Or should I apply for him as the spouse of a USC right now? I'm worried that if I apply though an I-130, his visa will not come through in time for him to attend the Fall, 2007 semester. He is planning to apply to several universities, has very good grades, and a good financial background, and in addition, will most probably be offered a USAID scholarship to any university of his choice, which I think would help in his getting admission to a good university. A question aside - would his applying for a Green Card though me result in his scholarship being canceled (since it is for Pakistani students who would normally not be able to attend college in the USA - the conditions deem anyone with USC parents or children as ineligible for the scholarship, but does not mention having a USC spouse). I realize that this forum doesnt have anything to do with USAID policies, but maybe someone would have an idea?

Please advise me on what course to take - should I apply for him through an I-130 immediately and hope that his visa comes though before Fall, 2007, or should he apply for an F-1 visa when he gets into a school? Is there a chance that the I-130 will be processed within a few months, in time for us to go to the US before school starts? (How long does the I-130 normally take, anyway?) As far as support is concerned, my father, a USC, is willing to sponsor me and my spouse until we get our lives on track, and I am planning to start work immediately upon reaching the US.

Also, to apply for a K-3 visa, does the USC spouse need to be IN the US at the time of application, or can he/she apply here in Pakistan and then go to the US and await the spouse there?

Sorry for the long post! Thanks!