Lana Oconnell
International students can access a variety of scholarships, grants, and financial aid to help fund their studies. There are thousands of scholarship opportunities, with some open to students from almost every country. Scholarships can be merit-based, need-based, or depend on the chosen field of study. They are offered by universities, private businesses, donors, and other organisations. International students can also access loans, which will need to be paid back after graduation. Some universities offer financial aid, grants, and scholarships, and may waive application fees. International students can browse scholarship databases to find opportunities relevant to them.
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What You'll Learn
- International students can use scholarships to fund their education
- Scholarships are available from universities, private businesses, and other organisations
- Some scholarships are merit-based, while others are need-based
- International students may need to contribute to costs through on-campus work
- There are scholarship databases to help international students find funding opportunities
International students can use scholarships to fund their education
Scholarships are a great way to fund your education as an international student. There are thousands of scholarship opportunities available, with some open to students from just about every country. These scholarships can be offered by universities, private businesses or donors, or other organisations. They can be merit-based, need-based, or depend on your chosen field of study.
For example, if you're from Central America, the MPOWER/InternationalStudent.com Central America Scholarship Program offers a chance to win up to $3,000 towards your international education. The Fulbright Commission offers scholarships for UK citizens pursuing postgraduate and doctoral studies, with successful applicants receiving at least their first-year fees paid and comprehensive health insurance. Some applicants may even be eligible for full tuition fee waivers or full-degree funding. The American Association of University Women also offers a fellowship for non-American women wanting to take a master's or doctorate in the US.
In the US, some universities that offer scholarships for international students include Brandeis University, which pays the "full demonstrated financial need" of recipients of its international scholarship, including one round-trip air ticket each year. Berea College provides 100% funding for the first year of enrolment for all enrolled international students, after which students are expected to contribute $1,000 per year to their expenses. Clark University automatically considers applicants for a range of merit-based grants, with scholarships ranging from $20,000 to $25,000 per year. Dartmouth College and Emory University also offer scholarships and loans for international students.
There are also free online resources to help international students find scholarships, such as InternationalStudent.com and InternationalScholarships.com. These websites allow students to search for scholarships by location, subject of study, student origin, or award name. After finding a suitable scholarship, students can then apply directly to the school or organisation offering the award.
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Scholarships are available from universities, private businesses, and other organisations
Scholarships can be a great way to fund your education as an international student. They are offered by a variety of institutions and organisations, and can be based on merit, need, or other factors.
University Scholarships
Many universities offer scholarships to international students. For example, Cornell University in the US offers financial aid to international students, which includes Cornell Grants and Scholarships. These do not have to be repaid and can be used to cover expenses such as transportation, books, and supplies.
In the UK, undergraduate scholarships for international students are less common, but they do exist. Universities such as the University of Kent and the University of Salford offer scholarships to international students. The University of Kent's GREAT Scholarships are available to students from 18 countries, while the University of Salford provides funding through the Commonwealth Scholarships.
Private Business Scholarships
Several private businesses and organisations also offer scholarships to international students. For example, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation awards scholarships of up to $40,000 per year to high-achieving high school students with financial needs. The education-focused foundation also provides scholarships to students transferring from two-year or community colleges to four-year institutions.
Tech companies like Google and Microsoft also provide scholarships to students from diverse backgrounds. Google offers the Google Lime Scholarship, a $10,000 award for students with disabilities pursuing degrees in computer science or related fields. Meanwhile, Microsoft's Women Scholarship awards a total of $35,000 to seven women and non-binary individuals pursuing careers in technology.
Other notable private scholarships include the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, which provides $20,000 scholarships to 150 students based on academic merit, leadership skills, and service. The Marten Bequest Traveling Scholarship is another example, offering awards to native-born Australians aged 21-35 who demonstrate outstanding ability and promise in the arts.
Online Scholarship Resources
Finding the right scholarship can be challenging, but there are several online resources that can help. Websites like Going Merry, Scholarships360, Fastweb, and Scholly allow students to create profiles, research opportunities, and find personalised matches based on criteria such as location, academic interests, and honours.
International students can also use websites like internationalscholarships.com and internationalstudent.com to search for scholarships, grants, and other financial aid opportunities specifically for those studying abroad. These websites provide comprehensive lists of awards from various organisations and institutions, making it easier for students to identify relevant opportunities and start their applications.
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Some scholarships are merit-based, while others are need-based
Scholarships are financial aid awards that do not need to be repaid. They are typically awarded based on merit or need, with some depending on a student's chosen field of study. Merit-based scholarships are given to students based on their accomplishments, such as academic, artistic, or athletic achievements, as well as leadership skills and participation in extracurricular activities. Need-based scholarships, on the other hand, are awarded to students with financial difficulties.
Merit-based scholarships are typically awarded based on academic success or extracurricular records. They are often given directly by the school or by a separate for-profit or non-profit organisation. Some merit scholarships are open to all kinds of students, like the Coca-Cola Scholars Program. Many merit scholarships require a transcript, letters of recommendation, and an essay. If you’re applying for an artistic merit scholarship, you may also need to submit a portfolio or examples of your work. While most merit scholarships require a minimum GPA of 3.0, others have no GPA requirement.
Need-based scholarships often require students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility based on their financial situation. Many colleges and universities have scholarship programs that are open to international students. For example, the Fulbright Commission reports that over 600 American universities offer scholarships worth $20,000 or more to international students. NYU Wagner, for instance, offers scholarships to admitted international students. The Robertson Scholars Program, offered at Duke University and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, is another scholarship available to students with demonstrated leadership capabilities, including international students.
It is important to note that many students are eligible for both merit-based and need-based scholarships. There is no limit to the number of scholarships one can apply for or receive, although most scholarships have restrictions on what the funds can be used for. Additionally, some scholarships are available specifically for international students, such as the MPOWER/InternationalStudent.com Central America Scholarship Program, which offers up to $3,000 towards international education for students from Central America.
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International students may need to contribute to costs through on-campus work
International students can contribute to their educational costs through on-campus work. On-campus jobs can be a good way for international students to offset college costs, gain work experience and get the most out of their college experience. However, careful navigation is needed to land a position. It is important for international students to research how student employment works at their specific college or university, as access to on-campus student positions can vary greatly from one campus to another. Most international students in the US hold F-1 visa status, which allows them to work on campus and doesn't require additional work authorization. However, students should check in with their school about on-campus work and immigration rules.
There are several ways international students can find on-campus jobs. They can use online job portals, university-specific job platforms, career centres, networking, job fairs, and word of mouth. It is recommended that students start their job search early, as many students are interested in finding on-campus positions, and these positions tend to be more open at the beginning of the year. Additionally, students should take the time to identify the type of job that best suits their goals and prepare their applications accordingly.
On-campus employment for F-1 students has three main guidelines: F-1 students may work at any qualifying on-campus job that does not displace a US citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR). They may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session (full-time during annual vacation or when school is not in session) and should report their work to receive a certification letter to present to the Social Security Administration. Not complying with these guidelines may result in a violation of status, and the student may have to leave the United States.
In Canada, international students can work off-campus without a work permit if they meet certain requirements, including being a full-time student at a designated learning institution and having a valid study permit that allows them to work up to 24 hours per week. Working more than 24 hours per week is a violation of the study permit conditions, and students may lose their student status and be asked to leave the country.
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There are scholarship databases to help international students find funding opportunities
International students can access various scholarship databases to find funding opportunities and other financial aid resources. These databases offer comprehensive listings of scholarships, grants, loans, and other awards, making it easier for students to identify relevant opportunities and secure the necessary funding for their international education.
One such database is InternationalScholarships.com, which provides access to over 2,000 scholarships for international students. The website allows anyone to browse for scholarship organizations and private sponsors, although only registered users can view contact details. InternationalScholarships.com also features a Discord community where ambitious international students can connect, share information, and support each other in their educational pursuits.
Another valuable resource is International Student (internationalstudent.com), which maintains a comprehensive and searchable database of grants, scholarships, loan programs, and other financial aid information. International Student offers a user-friendly platform where students can create an account, search for awards by location, subject of study, student origin, or award name, and directly apply to the host institution. This website also provides country-specific opportunities, such as the MPOWER/InternationalStudent.com Central America Scholarship Program, offering up to $3,000 for students from Central America.
EduPASS (edupass.org) is another scholarship database catering to international students. It provides a list of partner organizations that support undergraduate scholarships and MBA funding opportunities for international students. eduPASS highlights opportunities like the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship, which assists students from select developing countries with no other sources of financial aid for their graduate studies. The scholarship consists of a 50% grant and a 50% loan.
Additionally, IEFA.org (International Education Financial Aid) positions itself as the premier database for international scholarships and grants. IEFA offers comprehensive listings of scholarships, grants, and loan programs for both US and international students wishing to study abroad. The website is committed to promoting international education by providing easily accessible information on funding opportunities worldwide.
Beyond these databases, international students can also explore opportunities through MPOWER Financing, which offers scholarships like the Chasing Dreams Scholarship for Chinese graduate students and the Global Citizen Scholarship Program with broad eligibility criteria. Fastweb, another scholarship website, provides access to 1.5 million scholarships worth $3.4 billion, allowing students to create profiles and efficiently track their applications.
With these scholarship databases and organizations dedicated to supporting international students, individuals from around the world can more easily identify funding opportunities that align with their academic goals and financial needs. These resources empower students to pursue their educational dreams and make their international studies a reality.
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