International Students: Scholarships And How To Get Them

International students can get scholarships to help fund their studies in the US, although these are relatively rare and highly competitive. Schools are one of the best resources for international students to find scholarships, and many universities in the US offer scholarships to international students. International students can also find scholarships offered by organisations in their home country or by private companies. There are also free scholarship databases that international students can use to find opportunities.

Scholarships for international students in the UK

The UK government offers hundreds of scholarships, bursaries, and other financial support to international students from a large number of countries. The three main government scholarships for international students are:

• GREAT Scholarships: These scholarships are for students from 18 countries and cover a variety of subjects at UK universities. Applications for 2025-26 are open.
• Chevening Scholarships: This is one of the UK's most prestigious scholarships, offering full funding for master's degrees in the UK.
• Commonwealth Scholarships: These scholarships are available for students from Commonwealth countries and cover tuition fees, airfare, and living expenses. They are available for undergraduate and postgraduate students and focus on development goals in areas such as education, health, the environment, and technology.

In addition to these government-funded scholarships, many UK universities offer their own scholarships for international students. These scholarships are often merit-based and can cover either part or all of the tuition fees. For example, the University of Sheffield offers the International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, which awards up to 50% of tuition costs for high-achieving students. Other universities that offer scholarships for international students include:

• The University of Nottingham: Offers a variety of scholarships across many courses and faculties, including regional excellence awards and sports scholarships.
• Warwick University: Offers scholarships for international students from all countries outside the UK and EU, with most scholarships listed by country of origin.
• Durham University: Offers the International Excellence Scholarship worth £2000 for the first year of study to international students of outstanding academic ability enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's level Mathematics and Statistics degree.
• The University of Edinburgh: Offers three different types of undergraduate scholarships to international students, including the Edinburgh Global Undergraduate Mathematics Scholarships for math students.
• The University of Westminster in London: Offers two main scholarships for undergraduate students, including the Westminster Undergraduate Full Scholarships.
• The University College London: Offers a scholarship finder on their website with search filters such as country of origin and degree type.
• The University of Brighton: Offers scholarships primarily based on merit, which can include outstanding performance in a variety of areas.

There are also subject-specific scholarships offered by individual departments, equal access or sanctuary scholarships for refugees and asylum seekers, and disability scholarships for students with disabilities, long-term mental health conditions, or learning difficulties.

Scholarships for international students in the US

As an international student, you won't be eligible for funding intended for US nationals. However, US universities are prioritising internationalisation, so the number of international scholarships to study in the US is growing. Many of these scholarships are funded by the US government, private organisations, or specific institutions.

Schools are one of the best resources to find scholarships for international undergraduate students. It's recommended that applicants contact the school's financial aid office and use scholarship search tools like InternationalStudent.com to find out about scholarships awarded by US colleges and universities.

• The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is perhaps the most popular government-funded scholarship for international students. It offers scholarships for graduate students, young professionals, and artists to study in the US for one year or more. It is open to international students in all fields excluding medicine.
• The Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program is a non-degree scholarship for international, experienced professionals wishing to undertake 10 months of academic study in the US.
• The #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship is aimed at all overseas students studying any subject at a participating college or university in the US. Applicants should submit an essay or video demonstrating their interest in promoting intercultural learning and exchange.
• The Civil Society Leadership Awards offer fully-funded scholarships for students from eligible countries to study at master's level in the US or another host country.
• The Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship Program offers scholarships for 11 exceptional Asian students to study at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. It covers the full cost of tuition and student fees.
• The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme provides scholarships for postgraduate international students from countries in Africa and some developing countries.
• The P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship awards scholarships to women from other countries who are earning graduate degrees in the USA.
• The Preply Scholarship awards up to $2,000 to three winners who are students of any nationality, level of study, and between the ages of 16 and 35. Applicants must submit a 500-word essay related to online education, multilingualism, and professional development.
• The Surfshark Privacy and Security Scholarship awards $2,000 to a student of any nationality enrolled in a US high school, undergraduate, or graduate program. Applicants must submit an essay.
• The Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship is awarded twice a year to passionate international students wishing to study in the US. It is worth $1,000.

International student loans

International students can get scholarships to fund their studies, but these are often competitive and rarely cover all expenses. For example, some US colleges like Harvard and Yale offer full need-based financial aid for international students, while organisations like Rotary offer scholarships for doctoral international students. There are also scholarships for specific nationalities, such as the MPOWER/InternationalStudent.com Central America Scholarship Program, which offers up to $3,000 towards international education.

Loan providers such as MPOWER Financing offer fixed-rate loans from US$2,001 up to US$100,000 at competitive interest rates. MPOWER Financing does not require a cosigner or collateral and bases its loan decisions on the student's future potential. Ascent Funding is another option for international students, providing access to higher education funding for undergraduate and graduate students.

Scholarships for international undergraduates

Scholarships for international students are rare, and most of the institutional aid is reserved for graduate study. However, there are thousands of scholarship opportunities for international undergraduates, some of which are open to students from almost every country in the world.

Sources for Scholarships

There are several free online scholarship search services and databases for international students, such as InternationalScholarships.com, InternationalStudent.com, and International Education Financial Aid. These platforms provide comprehensive listings of scholarships, grants, and loan programs for students wishing to study abroad.

Types of Scholarships

Scholarships can be either merit-based or need-based, and some depend on your chosen field of study. Merit-based scholarships are granted based on special skills, talents, or abilities. For example, universities may offer scholarships based on TOEFL scores, academic records, artistic ability, musical ability, or athletic ability. Need-based scholarships, on the other hand, are awarded to students who can demonstrate a financial need. Academic departments within universities may have funds allocated to assist international students with exceptional financial need and/or talent.

Application Process

When applying for scholarships, it is essential to put together a strong application that represents your qualifications, skills, and needs. Most scholarships require some form of essay, personal statement, project, or interview process. Additionally, be sure to consult with your university to take advantage of any supplements or waivers they may offer, as some institutions may waive application fees.

Examples of Scholarships

• The Hungarian American Coalition offers partial annual scholarships to Hungarian students wishing to study in the U.S.
• The MPOWER/InternationalStudent.com Central America Scholarship Program offers up to $3,000 towards international education for students from Central America.
• The Marten Bequest Traveling Scholarship is open to native-born Australians aged 21-35 with outstanding ability and promise in one or more categories of the Arts.

Criteria for international student scholarships

International students can get scholarships to study in the USA and Canada, but they are rare and competitive. Most US-based scholarships are aimed at supporting American students, and international students are not eligible for federal or state aid. However, some colleges, such as Harvard and Yale, offer full need-based financial aid for international students.

The criteria for international student scholarships vary depending on the scholarship. Some scholarships are need-based, awarded to students who can demonstrate financial need at a predetermined level. Academic departments within the university may have funds to assist international students with exceptional need and/or talent. Other scholarships are merit-based, awarded based on academic background, extracurriculars, and area of study. Some scholarships are reserved for students from specific countries or regions, such as the MPOWER/InternationalStudent.com Central America Scholarship Program, which offers up to $3,000 towards international education for students from Central America.

Many scholarships require applicants to submit a range of documents, including a cover letter, financial documents, a CV, letters of recommendation, academic records, and proof of admission into an American school. Some scholarships may also require a personal statement, essay, project, or interview. It is important to carefully review the eligibility criteria and application requirements for each scholarship.

International students can find scholarships by searching online databases, such as those provided by InternationalStudent.com, BestColleges, and eduPASS. These platforms offer comprehensive lists of scholarships, grants, and awards available to international students. Students can also check their school's financial aid website or contact the financial aid office for information on scholarships specific to their institution. Additionally, students can explore opportunities offered by organizations like the Rotary, which provides support to international students separately from their college.

Frequently asked questions