Scholarships For International Students: Opportunities In The Usa

The United States is known for its high cost of higher education, but international students can find funding opportunities through scholarships. While some scholarships are funded by the US government, others are funded by private organisations or specific institutions. Some scholarships are aimed at students from developing countries, while others are aimed at women or students from specific regions. Scholarships can be need-blind or merit-based, and they can cover tuition fees, accommodation charges, health insurance, travel allowances, and stipends.

Scholarships for international students at top US universities

The United States is one of the most expensive countries in which to pursue higher education, but there are hundreds of opportunities to gain funding for your studies. While you won't be eligible for funding intended for US nationals, many US universities offer financial aid to international students. Some of the top US universities that offer scholarships to international students include:

• Harvard University: Harvard offers a range of (very competitive) international scholarships for students from all over the world.
• Stanford University: Stanford offers a fully funded scholarship for international students pursuing Masters and PhD studies. The scholarship covers tuition fees, travelling allowance, living allowance, and academic expenses.
• Yale University: Yale offers a fully funded scholarship for international students at the undergraduate, Masters, and PhD levels. The scholarship can vary from a few hundred dollars to over $70,000 per year, with the average need-based scholarship being over $50,000.
• Emory University: Emory University offers funding opportunities for international students who can demonstrate financial need.
• Clark University: Clark University offers the Clark Global Scholarship Program, which is a fully funded undergraduate scholarship for international students. Clark also offers the Clark Presidential Scholarships, a prestigious award for students who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership potential.
• University of Iowa: The University of Iowa offers various scholarships for international students starting their first year.
• University of Minnesota: The University of Minnesota offers the Global Excellence Scholarship and the #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship, a renewable scholarship that offers $15,000 per year.
• University of Oregon: The University of Oregon offers scholarships aimed at international students from around the world.
• University of Wisconsin: The University of Wisconsin offers a tuition waiver for international students who can demonstrate financial need.
• Wesleyan University: Wesleyan University in Connecticut offers scholarships for 11 exceptional Asian students through the Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship Program.
• Brandeis University: Brandeis University offers the Wien International Scholarship Program, which provides funding opportunities for high-achieving students with an interest in contributing to the student community.
• Illinois State University: Illinois State University offers tuition waivers, merit awards, and graduate assistantships to incoming international students.
• Iowa State University: Iowa State University offers a merit-based scholarship program for high-achieving international students.
• Michigan State University: Michigan State University offers various grants and scholarships for international students.
• New York University: New York University offers scholarships to study at the NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.
• University of the West: The University of the West offers scholarships to new international students who achieve high academic standards and demonstrate financial need.

In addition to scholarships offered by specific universities, there are also several external scholarships that international students can apply for. One of the most popular is the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, which offers full scholarships to international students pursuing graduate studies or non-degree postgraduate studies. The scholarship covers tuition fees, textbooks, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance. Other notable scholarships include the AAUW International Fellowships, the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme, the MasterCard Foundation Scholarships, and the Rotary Peace Fellowships.

Government-funded scholarships for international students in the USA

The US is known to be one of the most expensive countries in which to pursue higher education. However, there are hundreds of opportunities to gain funding for your studies. As an international student, you won't be eligible for funding intended for US nationals, but US universities are prioritizing internationalization, so the number of international scholarships is growing.

Fulbright Foreign Student Program

Perhaps the most popular government-funded scholarship for international students in the USA, Fulbright offers scholarships for graduate students, young professionals, and artists to study in the US for one year. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, a living stipend, full accommodation fees, airfare, and health insurance.

Foreign Fulbright Student Program

The Foreign Fulbright Student Program offers scholarships for graduate students from around the world, as well as young professionals and artists, to study in the USA.

P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship

The P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship awards scholarships to women from other countries who are earning their graduate degrees in the USA.

AAUW International Fellowships

The American Association of University Women offers fellowships for female international students to study in the US. The scholarship is worth $18,000 to $30,000 per year and is only available for graduate and postgraduate studies.

Bat and Ball Game Women’s Sports Scholarship

This scholarship offers $1,000 to a woman currently studying a sports-related degree at any US university.

MIT-Zaragoza Women in Logistics and SCM Scholarship

This scholarship is for female students of any age, ethnicity, or nationality, to study at the Zaragoza Logistics Center at MIT.

Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme

This scholarship programme is for postgraduate international students from countries in Africa.

MasterCard Foundation Scholarships

These scholarships are for African students to study in the US and Africa.

American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship

This scholarship provides undergraduate scholarships to international students who show leadership potential to study at American University in Washington, DC.

Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship Program

This scholarship programme provides funding for 11 exceptional Asian students to study in the US at Wesleyan University in Connecticut.

Government of Ireland International Scholarships

These scholarships are targeted at international students who have the potential to be future leaders in their field and are committed to making a difference in the world. The programme supports one year of study by talented international students at Irish higher education institutions.

Rotary Peace Fellowships

These are fully-funded scholarships for masters and PhD studies. The programme covers tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and all internship and field-study expenses.

Scholarships for international women students in the USA

There are several scholarships available for international women students in the USA. The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers seven types of grants and fellowships for women, including International Fellowships for women from outside the US. The PEO International Peace Scholarship Fund provides scholarships for women from outside the US and Canada pursuing graduate-level studies in the USA or Canada. The Margaret McNamara Education Grants offer scholarships for women aged 25 or over who are studying in the US, Canada, or select universities in South Africa and Latin America. The Foreign Fulbright Student Program offers scholarships for graduate students from around the world to study in the USA.

The Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting offers multiple scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing an accounting degree. The SWE Scholarships support women pursuing ABET-accredited bachelor or graduate programs in preparation for careers in engineering, engineering technology, and computer science in the US. The Women in STEM award is intended for low-income families to alleviate the financial burden of funding tuition fees in Texas for female students majoring in STEM. The Hedy Lamarr Achievement Award for Emerging Leaders in Entertainment Technology recognizes female college students in their junior year who have shown exceptional promise in the fields of entertainment and technology. The Laurels Fund provides scholarships to female students pursuing advanced degrees in accounting. The David M. Gabrielsen Foundation provides scholarships for women who are passionate about pursuing careers in nursing and making an impact on their patients.

The 100 Dreams Scholarship Fund provides one-time financial assistance of up to $1,000 to women currently attending high school or university in the US who demonstrate financial need. This scholarship can be used to fund textbooks, exam fees, or educational conferences. The Dr. Adawia Alousi Scholarship Fund offers $5,000 for Muslim women studying STEM at a postsecondary institution in the US, and it is renewable for up to four years. The Islamic Scholarship Fund Media Scholarship is open to American Muslim scholars passionate about improving Muslim representation through media studies, communications, and writing. This scholarship is worth $10,000.

Scholarships for international students from developing countries

There are a variety of scholarships available for international students from developing countries who wish to study in the USA. These scholarships are offered by universities, private organisations, and the US government.

Fulbright Foreign Student Program

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is one of the most popular government-funded scholarships for international students. It offers scholarships for graduate students, young professionals, and artists to study in the USA for one year. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, a living stipend, full accommodation fees, airfare, and health insurance.

University Scholarships

Many universities in the USA offer scholarships for international students, including:

• Stanford University
• Yale University
• Clark University
• Boise State University
• Berea College
• University of Oregon
• University of Wisconsin Superior
• Harvard University
• University of Chicago
• University of Pennsylvania

Private Organisation Scholarships

There are also several scholarships offered by private organisations, such as:

• Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme: This scholarship is for postgraduate international students from countries in Africa.
• MasterCard Foundation Scholarships: These scholarships are for African, Latin American, and Caribbean students to study in the US and Africa.
• American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship: This scholarship is for undergraduate international students who demonstrate leadership potential.
• Brandeis University Wien International Scholarship Program: This scholarship is for high-achieving students interested in contributing to the student community.
• MPOWER Financing Global Citizen Scholarship Program: This scholarship has broad eligibility criteria and is offered throughout the year.

Other Scholarships

Other scholarships for international students from developing countries include:

• P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship: This scholarship is for women from other countries who are pursuing a graduate degree in the USA.
• Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program: This is a non-degree scholarship program for international experienced professionals wishing to undertake 10 months of academic study in the US.
• #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship: This scholarship is for international students studying any subject at a participating college or university in the US.

It is important to note that finding scholarships for international students in the USA can be challenging, and many scholarships will have specific criteria such as country of origin, subject of study, or ties to a particular university. However, there are a variety of resources available to help students find and apply for scholarships, including searchable databases offered by organisations like International Student and Fastweb.

Scholarships for international students at private US universities

The US is one of the most expensive countries in which to pursue higher education, but there are hundreds of opportunities to gain funding for your studies. While international applicants are not eligible for funding intended for US nationals, the number of international scholarships available in the US has grown as universities prioritize internationalization.

Private Scholarships

There are many private scholarships available for international students in the US. Here are some examples:

• Surfshark Privacy and Security Scholarship: A $2,000 prize is available to a student currently enrolled in the US or another country as a high school, undergraduate or graduate student. Applicants must submit an essay to apply, and the scholarship is open to all nationalities.
• Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship: Awarded twice a year to passionate international students wishing to study in the US. This scholarship is worth $1,000.
• East-West Center Scholarships and Fellowships: Scholarships to study in the US within selected institutions, aimed at international students from the Asia-Pacific region.
• Japan-United States Friendship Commission: An initiative run by Japan and the US, this commission offers grants to Japanese students wishing to study in the US (and vice versa).
• Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship Program: Scholarships for 11 exceptional Asian students to study at Wesleyan University in Connecticut.
• Bat and Ball Game Women’s Sports Scholarship: A scholarship offering $1,000 to a woman currently studying a sports-related degree at any US university.
• MIT-Zaragoza Women in Logistics and SCM Scholarship: Scholarships for female students of any age, ethnicity or nationality, to study at the Zaragoza Logistics Center at MIT.
• Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program: A fully-funded undergraduate and master's scholarship that covers full tuition, a living allowance, travel and health insurance. This scholarship is available at Stanford University, the University of Chicago, Harvard University, and the University of Pennsylvania.
• Rotary Peace Fellowships: Fully-funded scholarships for international students pursuing master's or PhD studies. This scholarship covers tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and all internship and field-study expenses.
• Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme: Scholarships for postgraduate international students from countries in Africa.

University Scholarships

Many US universities also offer scholarships for international students. Here are some examples:

• American University: The Emerging Global Leader Scholarship is an undergraduate scholarship aimed at international students who show leadership potential.
• Brandeis University: The Wien International Scholarship Program is a funding opportunity for high-achieving students with an interest in contributing to the student community.
• Clark University: The Global Scholars Program offers scholarships of no less than $10,000, as well as a guaranteed $2,500 taxable stipend for a paid internship for first-year international applicants.
• Emory University: The Needs-Based Scholarship Program offers funding opportunities for international students who can demonstrate financial need.
• Harvard University: Harvard offers a range of competitive international scholarships for students from all over the world.
• Yale University: Yale offers a range of scholarships for international students, varying from a few hundred dollars to over $70,000 per year. The average need-based scholarship is over $50,000.
• Stanford University: Stanford offers a fully-funded scholarship for international students pursuing master's or PhD studies. This scholarship covers full tuition fees, a travel allowance, a living allowance, and academic expenses.

Government-Funded Scholarships

The US government also offers scholarships for international students. The most popular of these is the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, which offers scholarships for graduate students, young professionals, and artists to study in the US for one year. The Fulbright Program is also available for Australian citizens across all career stages, providing an academic and cultural exchange opportunity.

Other Scholarship Databases

For more scholarship opportunities, you can visit websites such as eduPASS, Scholarship Roar, and International Student, which offer comprehensive and searchable databases of scholarships, grants, and loan programs for international students.

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