25 Scholarships in USA
USA Government Scholarships for International Students
Foreign Fulbright Student Program
The Fulbright Program are full scholarships in USA for international students who wants to pursue a Master’s or PhD degree. The scholarships can also be awarded for non-degree postgraduate studies. The grant covers tuition fee, textbooks, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance.
Humphrey Fellowship Program
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program provides a year of professional enrichment in the United States for experienced professionals from designated countries throughout the world. Fellows are selected based on their potential for leadership and their commitment to public service in either the public or private sector. The fellowships are full grants covering all related expenses.
US Colleges and Universities that offer Scholarships for International Students »
American University Scholarships
American University (AU) awards a limited number of generous partial merit scholarships to academically-qualified incoming international first-year undergraduate students. No need-based financial aid is available to international students. The merit scholarship range from U.S.$6,000 to U.S.$25,000 per academic year (renewable subject to conditions).
Also see AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship Program which awards scholarships to high-achieving international students who wish to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree at the University and who are dedicated to positive civic and social change. It is intended for students who will be to returning home to improve under-resourced, under-served communities in his/her home country.
Amherst College Scholarships
Amherst College currently runs a need-based financial aid program that provides assistance to financially needy international students. Once you have been admitted, your financial need is determined. A financial aid award that is equal to your need will then be offered. The award is sometimes called an “aid package” because it may include both self-help (employment) and gift aid (scholarships and grants).
Berea College Scholarships
Berea College is the only school in the United States that provides 100% funding to 100% of enrolled international students for the first year of enrollment. This combination of financial aid and scholarships offsets the costs of tuition, room, board, and fees. In subsequent years, international students are expected to save $1,000 (US) per year to contribute toward their expenses. The College does provide summer jobs to international students so that they may meet this obligation.
Clark University Scholarships
Clark University offers the Clark Global Scholars Program which are open to first-year applicants (not a transfer student) who has attended school overseas for at least four years as well as international citizens attending school in the United States. A scholarship of $15,000 to $25,000 per year (for four years, contingent upon meeting academic standards for renewal) and a guaranteed $2,500 taxable stipend for a paid internship or research assistantship taken for academic credit during the summer following your sophomore or junior year is included with the award.
Colby-Sawyer College Scholarships
International students are eligible for merit-based financial aid offered by Colby-Sawyer College. The scholarship value increases based on academic ability (measured in GPA) and range from $15,000 up to $28,000 per year. The college does not meet full financial need.
Columbia College Scholarships
Columbia College offers scholarships and awards to outstanding international students. The awards are one time cash grants or 15%- 100% tuition reduction.
Concordia College Scholarships
Concordia prizes the contributions international students make on campus and is pleased to provide partial financial assistance to international students. The International Student Scholarship is based on academic ability and family need, amounting up to $28,000 per year. International Excellence Scholarships are competitive, merit-based scholarships that are awarded to international first-year students or transfer students for up to four years and can go as high as $28,000.
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Dartmouth College Scholarships
Dartmouth College meets the demonstrated need of all admitted undergraduates, including those from other countries. Dartmouth College has scholarships and loans available to international students, which includes an allowance for travel to the U.S..
East Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University (ETSU) offers the International Students Academic Merit Scholarship for new international students seeking a graduate or undergraduate degree. The scholarship value per academic year is $12,500 for Undergraduate students and $11,500 for Graduate students.
East West Center
The East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship provides funding for up to 24 months for Master’s or Doctoral degree study for graduate students from Asia, the Pacific, and the U.S. to participate in the educational, residential, and leadership development programs at the East-West Center while pursuing graduate study at the University of Hawai’i.
Emory College Scholarships
Emory College offers need-based financial aid awards to a select group of international students each year. As well, international applicants are encouraged to apply for partial to full merit-based scholarships through the Emory University Scholars Program (November 15 deadline).
Illinois Wesleyan University Scholarships
Merit-based scholarships are offered to qualified international applicants with outstanding academic achievement and test scores on the required entrance exams. These awards range from $16,000 to $30,000 per year and are renewable for up to four years. In addition, two full-tuition President’s International Student Scholarships may be awarded each year to qualified international students for up to four years of study.
Iowa State University International Merit Scholarships
International freshmen will be considered for a limited number of merit scholarships. Scholarship selection is competitive based on a holistic review of SAT or ACT scores and high school marks/grades. The awards range from $2,000 to $10,000 and are renewable.
Michigan State University International Scholarships
Michigan University provides a limited number of scholarship and grants to deserving international students at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. These financial packages are not designed to support your full academic program at MSU.
New York University Wagner Scholarships
The merit scholarships are offered to a limited number of admitted students each application cycle, including international students. The scholarships are partial to full tuition scholarships ranging from $25,000-$47,000.
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Oregon University Scholarships
Each year, the University of Oregon awards more than one million dollars in financial aid and scholarships to international students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. One of their scholarship programs is the ICSP Scholarship which awards tuition-waiver scholarships ranging from partial to full tuition for up to 15 credits per term each year. Scholarships are based on financial need, academic merit, and the ability to make presentations to diverse groups of people.
Wesleyan University Scholarships
Financial aid for foreign students, however, is extremely limited and is awarded on the basis of both exceptional qualifications and demonstrated need. The Freeman Asian Scholars Program, provides full tuition scholarships for a four-year course of study at Wesleyan toward a bachelor’s degree for 11 exceptionally able Asian students. In addition to the 11 Freeman Asian Scholars, the University is expected to offer financial assistance to approximately 30 foreign students from a pool of approximately 600 such applicants
University of the West Scholarships
The University of the West offers scholarships to new international students who achieve high academic standards and demonstrate a financial need such as the President’s and Dean’s scholarships. Scholarship recipients will have the full cost of tuition waived for 7.5-15 undergraduate or 6-12 graduate units per semester.
Institutions that fund international scholarships for study in the US »
Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarships
The Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program provides full scholarships to students from World Bank member countries to pursue development-related studies at selected Universities around the world. Students can choose to study in 8 participating USA Universities including Harvard University, John Hopkins University, University of Chicago, Cornell University and Columbia University.
AAUW International Fellowships
AAUW (formerly known as the American Association of University Women) awards international fellowships for full-time study or research in the United States to women who are not US citizens or permanent residents. The scholarship are worth $18,000 for Masters, 20,000 for PhD and $30,000 for Postdoctoral students.
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
The Aga Khan Foundation provides a limited number of scholarships each year for postgraduate studies to outstanding students from selected developing countries who have no other means of financing their studies. The studies can be undertaken anywhere in the world including the US. Scholarships are awarded on a 50% grant : 50% loan basis through a competitive application process once a year.
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Scholarships in the USA for International Students: The Ultimate Funding Guide
The United States remains the top destination for international students seeking world-class higher education. However, it is no secret that pursuing a degree in the US carries a significant price tag. When you factor in premium tuition rates, campus housing, mandatory health insurance, and general cost of living, the total financial investment can feel overwhelming.
Fortunately, you do not have to shoulder this financial burden alone. Every year, millions of dollars in financial aid, fellowships, and merit-based grants are awarded specifically to non-US citizens.
This comprehensive guide breaks down the best scholarships in the USA for international students, explores various funding models, and provides a clear, actionable roadmap to secure your financial future.
Types of Scholarships Available in the US
Before applying, it is critical to understand that funding in the US is categorized by its source. Knowing these distinctions allows you to target programs that align perfectly with your background.
1. Government-Funded Scholarships
These are prestigious, highly competitive awards funded directly by the United States government to foster international cultural exchange and academic collaboration.
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The Fulbright Foreign Student Program: This is arguably the most famous US government scholarship. It provides full funding for international graduate students, young professionals, and artists to study or conduct research in the US. It covers full tuition, a monthly living stipend, airfare, health insurance, and textbook allowances.
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The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program: Aimed at mid-career professionals, this program provides a year of non-degree academic study and professional development. It targets individuals committed to public service in both the public and private sectors.
2. Institution-Specific University Scholarships
Individual American colleges and universities allocate substantial budgets to attract top international talent. These are split into two core categories:
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Merit-Based Scholarships: Awarded based on your academic excellence, high standardized test scores (like the SAT, ACT, GRE, or GMAT), artistic talents, or athletic capabilities.
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Need-Based Financial Aid: Some elite universities offer “need-blind” or “need-aware” financial aid to international students. If you are accepted, the university calculates your family’s financial gap and covers up to 100% of your demonstrated financial need through institutional grants. Notable institutions offering this include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, and Amherst College.
3. Non-Governmental & Private Organization Grants
Private foundations, corporate entities, and international organizations fund targeted scholarships based on specific demographics, regions, or fields of study.
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The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program: Offers fully-funded scholarships for sub-Saharan African students to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at partner US universities.
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AAUW International Fellowships: Awarded specifically to international women pursuing full-time graduate or postgraduate study in the US.
Step-by-Step Roadmap to Winning a US Scholarship
Landing a scholarship in the United States requires an early start and meticulous organization. Missing a single deadline can delay your studies by an entire academic year.
Critical Strategies for a Winning Application
1. Structure an Irresistible Scholarship Essay
Your essay is where you transform from a list of test scores into a living, breathing human being that a committee wants to invest in. Avoid simply repeating what is already on your resume. Instead, focus on a specific challenge you overcame or a defining moment that shaped your academic passion.
If you want a step-by-step formula to structure your writing effectively, be sure to study this expert guide on how to write winning scholarship essays to give your application an immediate competitive edge.
2. Navigate the Student Visa Process Early
Securing your scholarship and university admission letter is a massive milestone, but you cannot legally study in the US without the proper documentation. The immigration process involves interview scheduling, SEVIS fees, and background verification. To ensure you don’t face any surprises at the embassy, review this comprehensive student visa guide to keep your paperwork flawlessly on track.
Final Takeaway: Funding a college education in the United States requires strategy, resilience, and attention to detail. By casting a wide net across government programs, university merit awards, and private foundations, you can dramatically lower your out-of-pocket costs and open the door to a world-class degree.
