Lana Oconnell
International students can get scholarships, but they are usually highly competitive and quite rare. The availability and amount of scholarship money depend on the student's academic background, area of study, and the college or university they plan to attend. US institutions, for example, offer little to no discount on tuition for international students, and most institutional aid is reserved for graduate studies. However, some universities, such as Harvard and Yale, offer need-based financial aid, and there are also private, corporate, nonprofit, and government scholarship funds for undergraduate international students. International students can increase their chances of receiving scholarships by demonstrating leadership, writing skills, and financial need.
Characteristics of International Student Scholarships
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Availability | Minimal scholarship aid is available for international students, and most of it is reserved for graduate study. However, there are still hundreds of opportunities for funding, and the number of international scholarships is growing. |
| Eligibility | Eligibility criteria vary depending on the scholarship. Some common requirements include demonstrating financial need, leadership skills, strong academic performance, and writing skills. Other factors may include TOEFL scores, country of origin, and grade point average. |
| Sources of Funding | Scholarships for international students can be funded by the US government, private organizations, or specific institutions. Some universities offer scholarships specifically for international students. |
| Application Process | Students should contact the financial aid office of their desired colleges and utilize scholarship search tools. They should also create strong applications, including letters of recommendation and personal statements. |
| Other Options | International students can consider loans, although most require a cosigner. On-campus employment and transferring credits from a community college can also help reduce costs. |
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What You'll Learn
Scholarships for international undergraduates
Scholarships for international undergraduate students are rare, and most institutional aid is reserved for graduate study. However, there are some scholarships, grants, and loans available for international students pursuing undergraduate degrees.
Scholarship Databases
There are several free online scholarship databases that international students can use to search for scholarships, including:
- International Education Financial Aid
- International Scholarships
- EduPASS
- International Student
- Fastweb
- Buddy4Study (for Indian students)
University Funding
Some universities may have funds allocated to assist international students with exceptional need and/or talent. Academic departments within the university may offer special funding opportunities, so it is worth consulting with your university and/or department to see if any such opportunities are available.
Private Loans
International students may also be eligible for private loans from a variety of organizations and institutions. Many of these loans require a cosigner, and it is important to research and compare the rates and terms offered by different lenders.
Specific Scholarships
In addition to using scholarship databases, international students can also apply directly for specific scholarships, such as:
- The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship, which provides scholarships to students from select developing countries who have no other source of funding
- The MPOWER/InternationalStudent.com Central America Scholarship Program, which offers up to $3,000 towards international education for students from Central America
- The Global Citizen Scholarship Program, which has broad eligibility criteria and is offered throughout the year
- The P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship, which awards scholarships to women from other countries who are earning graduate degrees in the USA
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Scholarships for international graduate students
Scholarships are available for international graduate students, although they can be challenging to find. Many scholarships for undergraduate study are only available to US citizens and permanent residents, and US institutions generally offer little discount on tuition fees for international students. However, scholarships for international graduate students are offered by some US schools, and there are also private, corporate, nonprofit, and government scholarship funds that serve international students.
International students can also apply for need-based scholarships, which are awarded based on financial need. Academic departments within the university may have funds to assist international students with exceptional need and/or talent. International Student has a comprehensive and searchable database of grants, scholarships, and loan programs for international students. Fastweb provides access to 1.5 million scholarships worth $3.4 billion. Students can create a profile and keep track of their applications on the website.
Some scholarships are specifically aimed at women, such as the P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship, which awards scholarships to women from other countries earning graduate degrees in the USA. The American Association of University Women offers fellowships for non-American women pursuing a Master's or doctorate in the USA, with priority given to women who demonstrate a commitment to the advancement of women and girls.
There are also scholarships for students from specific countries, such as the MPOWER/InternationalStudent.com Central America Scholarship Program, which offers up to $3,000 towards international education for students from Central America. The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship provides scholarships to students from select developing countries who have no other source of financial help for their graduate studies. The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program provides comprehensive financial coverage, including tuition, a monthly stipend, airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance, to students from developing countries who have supported their home country's development and are applying for a development-related Master's program.
Some scholarships are aimed at students pursuing specific fields of study. For example, the Zonta International scholarship, created in honor of Amelia Earheart, is available to 30 women pursuing graduate studies in aerospace engineering or space sciences.
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Country-specific scholarships
International students can access a range of country-specific scholarships to support their studies. These scholarships are offered by various organisations, including governments, universities, and private companies, and are designed to attract international students from specific regions or countries.
For instance, the UK government runs several scholarship programmes for international students, such as the GREAT Scholarships, Chevening Scholarships, and Commonwealth Scholarships. These scholarships are open to students from a wide range of countries and cover various subjects. The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) is a valuable resource for learning more about these opportunities.
The US also offers scholarships for international students, although they are more commonly available for graduate studies. The American Association of University Women offers fellowships for non-American women pursuing Master's or doctorate degrees in the US. The Civil Society Leadership Awards is another example, providing full scholarships for Master's students from specific countries who are committed to driving social change.
Additionally, some scholarships are tailored for students from developing countries. The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program offers comprehensive financial coverage for students from developing countries who are applying for development-related Master's programmes. The DAAD scholarships in Germany are another example, targeting master's students from developing regions.
International students can also find scholarships specific to their country of origin. For instance, ColFuturo provides scholarships for Colombian students pursuing postgraduate studies abroad, while Conacyt offers scholarships for Mexican students doing the same. Buddy4Study is a scholarship search engine for Indian students applying to schools in the US and other countries.
To find country-specific scholarships, students can utilise online scholarship search platforms such as International Student, Fastweb, and EduPASS. These platforms provide searchable databases of scholarships, grants, and loan programs, making it easier for students to identify opportunities that align with their profiles.
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Scholarships for international students with disabilities
Scholarships are a great way to fund your education as an international student, but they can be competitive and difficult to find. Most scholarships for international students are for graduate study, but there are some undergraduate scholarships available too.
International students with disabilities can access scholarships from a variety of providers, with different requirements. Some scholarships are aimed at students with a specific disability, while others are for students with any type of physical or mental disability. Certain scholarships may be earmarked for students who face multiple barriers to education, such as being from a low-income background or from minority groups.
- The Alexander Graham (AG) Bell College Scholarship Program offers scholarships for full-time students with pre-lingual bilateral hearing loss in the moderate to profound range. Students must use listening and spoken language and be pursuing a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree (not law or public policy) at an accredited mainstream college or university.
- The Google & Lime Connect Scholarship Program provides scholarships and networking retreats for computer science students with disabilities. Selected students are invited to attend the annual Google Scholars' Retreat and are considered for software engineering internships with Google.
- The USS Donald and Mary Ellen Passantino Scholarship for Disabled Students recognizes students with disabilities who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship and leadership under challenging circumstances.
- The Tommy Tranchin Award was established at The Dallas Foundation to support students with physical, emotional, or intellectual disabilities who have shown promise or passion in a chosen field.
- The American Association of University Women offers fellowships for non-American women seeking a Master's or doctorate in the USA. Priority is given to women committed to the advancement of women and girls.
To find scholarships that fit your specific profile, you can use online scholarship search engines like International Student, Fastweb, and Buddy4Study. These platforms provide searchable databases of scholarships, grants, and loan programs for international students. Additionally, The City University of New York and Mobility International USA offer free scholarship resources specifically for students with disabilities.
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Loans for international students
Scholarships for international students are limited, and most of the institutional aid available is reserved for graduate studies in the form of assistantships and fellowships. Undergraduate scholarships for non-US citizens are rare, and most are only available to US citizens and permanent residents. However, there are some scholarships that international students can apply for. For example, the American Association of University Women offers fellowships for non-American women seeking a Master's or doctorate in the USA. Priority is given to women who demonstrate a commitment to the advancement of women and girls. The Civil Society Leadership Awards offers full scholarships for Master's students from specific countries dedicated to fostering social change. The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship provides scholarships to students from select developing countries with no other source of funding. MPOWER Financing also offers scholarships for international and DACA students.
International students can also take out loans to fund their studies. Many loans require a cosigner, who is a US citizen or permanent resident with good credit. However, there are some no-cosigner loan options available for international students. MPOWER Financing provides loans for international students in the US and Canada. Ascent Funding also offers loans for international undergraduate and graduate students. International Student Loan provides a comparison tool to help students find the right loan.
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Frequently asked questions
Here is a list of some scholarships that international students can apply for:
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program
- Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program
- #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship
- Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship
- MPOWER/InternationalStudent.com Central America Scholarship Program
- Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
- Global Citizen Scholarship Program
- P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship
Strong leadership skills, writing skills, and letters of recommendation can make your scholarship application stronger.
You can pursue on-campus employment, such as serving as a resident assistant (RA), or begin your studies at a community college and then transfer the credits to a four-year institution. You can also take out international student loans, but these often require a cosigner.
You can use scholarship search tools and contact your school's financial aid office to learn about scholarship opportunities. Websites such as eduPASS, InternationalStudent.com, Fastweb, and Buddy4Study also provide information on scholarships for international students.
Undergraduate international students may face additional challenges in securing scholarships, as most institutional aid is reserved for graduate study. However, some universities do offer scholarships specifically for undergraduate international students, so it is important to research and apply to these opportunities.
